**3.4 Reviving and creation of markets for indigenous breeds**

The maintenance of local adapted breeds plays a pivotal role to produce breeds adapted to the changes in climate in future. These advantages are however now being eroded by the rising need by breeders to produce breeds with high performing traits, especially characteristics of economic importance. About 11 and 2% of mammalian and avian breeds, respectively have been reported to be extinct in recent years with a further 210 cattle breeds and 179 sheep breeds classified under the critically endangered species [33]. Maintaining local breeds requires a multi-pronged approach, starting with respect for the rights of local custodians of these breeds and support for their production systems.

The quest of maintaining local breeds is inevitable in the face of climate change however for these breeds to be competitive, niche markets through improving production; processing and value addition of their products is an area of prime focus. Such markets are already in existence although there is still much to be done to smoothen the intervention. Performing SWOT analysis is an important strategy for driving the evolution towards identification of promising niche markets. The most important domain of the process is to organise local people who have the breeds of interest and ensuring that they are directly involved in the process.
