Genetic resources and diversity of Sheep (Ovis aries) in Cameroon: A review

Abstract

The present work aims at describing the different Cameroon breeds of sheep and this activity constitutes a crucial step in the development of a national plan for the management of animal genetic resources and diversity. Through an extensive literature search, our findings indicate six breeds of local sheep in Cameroon. By agroecological classification, three breeds were described in the Sudano-Sahelian zone, two breeds in the Sudano-Guinean zone, and one breed each in the highlands and in the forest zone of Cameroon. These prerequisites warrant endeavors for increasing domestic sheep production likely to meet internal demand apart from boosting sustainable research and development projects for the sheep farming sector in Cameroon.