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Mission and objectives 

The INRA Guadeloupean Animal Production research unit (Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, URZ) was created in 1965 and is now affiliated to the Animal Genetic INRA division. URZ is one of the six INRA units of the Antilles Guyane Center localized in the humid tropical area. URZ aims for improve animal productions in the humid tropics through technology and innovation. URZ scope includes French Departments of America, the Caribbean and more generally the humid tropics. Main studied species are farm animals (ruminants and swine).

Research topics

The scientific project of URZ aims for “Promote efficient animal production systems in an highly constrained environment from an agroecological perspective”. This project stands on 4 main principles of agroecology which are: equilibrium of the animal in its environment, valorization of agrobiodiversity, optimization of circular economy, and consideration of complexity and uncertainty of animal production systems in the humid tropics. Scientifics works are realized at different scales, from the animal to the agrosystem. The project is organized along two axis whose outputs are fed into the third one.

ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE OF ANIMALS FOR SUSTAINABLE ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE HUMID TROPICS

It mainly concerns pig heat tolerance, resistance of goat to gastrointestinal strongyles and a global approach of cattle adaptation to tropical environment. Genetic control and physiological mechanisms of adaptation and resilience functions are studied for further application in farm. Resilience of animal production systems are also approached studying
the contribution of animals to the whole mixed farm system resilience.

OPTIMISATION OF FUNCTIONS FOR EFFICIENT ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Researches on efficiency of animal production look at resource use optimization within the system, with the aim to achieve equilibrium between different tasks: production,
respect of the environment, animal health, product quality, and economic sustainability. Different researches focus on:

• Optimization of breeding schemes, considering animal adaptation to the environment,
• Evaluation of animal responses (nutrition, production, health, welfare, environmental impact) to nutrition strategies with conventional and non-conventional resources,
• Technological optimization of quality and conservation of feed resources,
• Integrated management of pathology or pollutions, at farm and land scale,
• Conception and optimization of mixed farming systems.

VALORIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE AND INNOVATION

Apart from scientific knowledges, URZ produces knowledge for various actors (farmers, students, technicians, contractors, society, policy makers…) from local to international scale using various supports (technical formation, videos, websites…). URZ contributes to the development of high added value products, with research undertaken in a participatory approach. The unit works especially for three innovative projects: the production of feed and nutraceuticals from local resources, the on-farm renewable energy and meat labeled products from Creole breeds.

Human resources and technical facilities

The unit works with 25 permanent staff including 15 researchers and engineers. URZ hosts permanently 3-5 PhD students and postdocs. Technical facilities include an analysis laboratory, a Biological Resource Center (CRB) “Animal health and production” INRA-CIRAD and a mutualized platform for agro-processing. URZ collaborates with the tropical platform for animal experimentation (PTEA). PTEA provides important ruminant and swine experimental facilities. The laboratory realizes physical-chemical, parasitological and microbiological analyses. The CRB “Animal health and production” preserves collections of biological materials of different livestock species; this preservation center, unique in the Caribbean region, collaborate with national platform in the context of “Future projects investments” CRB-ANIM. The agro-processing platform allows the study and development of innovative feed processes and technologies.

Collaborations and Networks

URZ works with many regional partners including the Antilles University, agricultural high schools, agriculture chambers, professional and interbranch organisations of Guadeloupe,
French Guyana and Martinique, National Park of Guadeloupe, Martinique Regional Natural Park, the Agri-Food sector of Martinique (PARM), FREDON… URZ animates a joined technology unit (UMT) “Food autonomy of farms” in partnership with the technical institute IKARE. In complementarity with CIRAD, URZ develops research offers in animal productions for the tropical zone. The unit collaborates with the Caribbean and Latin America zone (Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Trinidad, Mexico, Brazil…), Africa and Europe.

Application and expertise areas

URZ offers a wide range of expertise from livestock production strategies through the knowledge of biological environment and search methodologies in different fields:

• Swine, cattle, sheep and goat production in the humid tropics,
• Characterization of local breeds of ruminants and swines,
• Selection schemes particularly suited to ruminant meat producers in the tropics,
• Integrated management of gastrointestinal parasitism,
• Characterization and management of grassland, conventional and unconventional plant resources,
• Valorization of plants in animal health,
• On farm agro-feed processing (feed and animal products),
• Management of chlordecone pollution in livestock systems,
• Performance and functions of tropical farming systems integrated in their territory,
• Viability of tropical agro-ecosystems,
• The co-design of innovative production systems.

URZ is involved in various educational courses with the University of the French West Indies,
MOOC in Agro-Ecology, EPLEFPA of Guadeloupe, and other training institutions in France
and Europe.