Food security is not merely about securing food for today and tomorrow. It is essential to maintain production and supply even amid crises such as wars, disasters, export restrictions, and logistical disruptions. While efficiently procuring food needed in the international market is important, establishing a domestic production base that is resilient to external shocks is even more urgent. The impact of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war on global grain prices and feed ingredient supply illustrates this need. In 2017, Qatar had to airlift dairy cows to establish its dairy production base only after its dairy imports were blocked due to diplomatic conflicts. The value of genetic resources, which form the foundation of production, became evident in times of crisis.
The starting point for this production base in livestock is livestock genetic resources. These resources encompass not only live animals but also semen, eggs, embryos, somatic cells, and DNA, along with the traits and genetic information identified from these materials. Indigenous breeds such as native pigs, native chickens, and native goats, which have developed over many years in our environment, as well as regional adaptation breeds that have been selectively bred and improved over time, represent genetic assets that future livestock farming can utilize. Improvement does not start from nothing. Sustainable livestock farming and the enhancement of superior breeding stock ultimately depend on how diverse the genetic materials available are.
Livestock genetic resources serve as breeding materials to adapt and respond to climate change, changes in livestock environments, and shifts in consumer preferences. Traits such as disease resistance, reproductive performance, robustness, feed efficiency, and environmental adaptability are not easily developed in a short time. Even with advancements in technologies like genomic selection and gene editing, the genetic diversity that serves as the starting point must exist somewhere. This is why it is crucial to preserve resources that already possess such traits. Furthermore, livestock genetic resources are also the last resort for reviving specific breeds or lines that may disappear due to livestock diseases, disasters, or wars. Frozen semen, embryos, somatic cells, and the accumulated genetic information provide the foundation for restoring or reconstructing lost resources.
The value of livestock genetic resources extends beyond just livestock production. The physiological, immune, and metabolic characteristics of livestock can contribute to research on disease resistance as well as serve as materials for biomedical research. Additionally, combining livestock with animal therapy, recreation, education, and traditional cultural content can create a multifaceted asset that connects agriculture, culture, and tourism. Preserving livestock genetic resources is not merely about safeguarding past breeds; it is about leaving room for future industries to utilize.
South Korea is preserving and managing livestock genetic resources at the national level under the 'Act on the Preservation, Management, and Utilization of Agricultural Biological Resources.' The National Institute of Animal Science is responsible for discovering, collecting, evaluating, preserving, and digitizing these resources, with the Livestock Genetic Resource Center handling these tasks. Local agricultural research institutions and universities support the national preservation system by conserving and multiplying live animals and frozen resources.
As of 2026, South Korea has registered a total of 184 breeds and lines across 22 species in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS). This registration involves documenting the names, status, characteristics, and management information of our resources in an international information system. This process goes beyond mere data registration; it informs the international community about the existence and value of the livestock genetic resources that the country has preserved and managed, laying the groundwork for securing resource sovereignty. Resources recorded internationally will serve as public evidence that can explain their uniqueness, management history, and utilization value in the future. Such records cannot be created overnight, which is why continuous discovery and registration of new resources is essential.
The future challenge lies not only in increasing registration achievements but also in ensuring that preserved resources are actively used in breeding, research, and industry. National livestock genetic resources are a strategic asset that enables continued livestock production even in times of crisis and provides options to respond to future changes. Today's efforts in discovery, documentation, and preservation will strengthen our food security, biodiversity, and resource sovereignty.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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