Future of the animal production: Genetics, Conservation and Sustainable Development

Abstract

It is becoming clearer every day that animal and plant production based on intensive production systems, as a consequence of the increase in production to satisfy food needs that appeared after the Second World War, has caused a series of pernicious effects that must be addressed and as far as possible corrected, among others, the increase in disparities between rural territories and the production of environmental damage, with a huge cost overrun. Animal and plant production and genetics must respond to new situations and concerns that society raises. Society increasingly demands agricultural practices compatible with environmental values ​​and producers of safe and quality food for animals and for men. They must also guarantee the sustainable development of the communities. For this, animal and plant production in this century must implement extensive and semi-extensive or mixed production systems and schemes for selection and genetic improvement of the indigenous breeds and varieties of animals and plants increasingly concerned with genetically knowing the characteristics productive, and frame them in an integral and sustainable rural development.