Increasing human and livestock populations in Ethiopia are leading to a growing demand for food and feed. Cereal cropping is highly prioritized at the cost of the livestock subsector and the environment. Grazing land is decreasing, leading to overstocking and overgrazing of pastures, thus fueling conflicts over scarce resources and exacerbating further land degradation. The … Continue reading
Author Archives: Peter Ballantyne (ILRI)
ILRI communications update: Travelling knowledge, more bandwidth, getting social
In January 2011, the Partnerships and Communications group at the International Livestock Research Institute gathered in Addis Ababa to review 2010 progress and 2011 plans. Check out these video interviews: ILRI research ‘travelling’ further than ever (Bruce Scott) ILRI extends bandwidth and use of ICTs (Ian Moore) ILRI communications getting social (Susan Macmillan) See the 15 top communication … Continue reading
Animal Production / Asia / Biodiversity / ILRI / Indigenous Breeds / Livestock / Pakistan / South Asia
ILRI and University of Agriculture Faisalabad join forces on indigenous livestock
Pakistan’s ‘Business Recorder’ reports from a workshop in Pakistan on the “implementation of development and application of decision support tools to conserve and sustainability use and genetic diversity in indigenous livestock and wild relatives” where the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) have signed a collaborative agreement. The main … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Production / Animal Products / Dairying / East Africa / Kenya / Livestock / Tanzania / Uganda
Dairy development institutions in East Africa
This publication from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the first report of studies on three national dairy development institutions in East Africa – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The composition, role, structure, shortcomings and future prospects of each national dairy institution are reviewed in order to provide readers with insights as to how to … Continue reading
Livestock, climate change, and nutrition: Leveraging livestock to improve livelihoods
The Livestock-Climate Change CRSPs latest program brief, “Livestock, Climate Change, and Nutrition: Leveraging Livestock to Improve Livelihoods,” describes how livestock research in West Africa, East Africa, and Central Asia is contributing to improving nutrition and health for families and communities. While agricultural production throughout the world has increased, malnutrition and poor health remain a problem … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Animal Health / Animal Production / East Africa / Kenya / Livestock / Livestock Systems
Farm-Africa to launch livestock services franchises in Kenya
FARM-Africa recently announced that it has received funding to develop the first franchise business model that will establish a chain of new veterinary stores to provide quality, accessible and affordable livestock services including clinical services, veterinary drugs, farm inputs, animal feeds and artificial insemination in Africa. Through a US$5m grant from the Bill & Melinda … Continue reading
International conference to debate the future of pastoralists in Africa
In March 2011, Addis Ababa will be host to conference on the future of pastoralism in Africa. The Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC) and the Feinstein International Center of Tufts University are hosting this academic conference to critically reflect on the future of pastoralism in Africa and to share new learning from the dynamics of change … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Production / East Africa / Ethiopia / Kenya / Livestock Systems / Pastoralism / Vulnerability
University of the Bush – understanding pastoral lives
In November 2010, more than 50 pastoralists, politicians, donors and researchers met in Kenya to discuss the place of nomadic livestock keeping in national development, recent research findings and future policy options. Unusually, the meeting took place not in a conference centre but under an acacia tree, on the edge of a national park – … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / Animal Health / Ethiopia / Livestock / PPR
September 2010 issue of IBAR Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa
The Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa publishes articles on original research relevant to animal health and production activities which may lead to the improvement of the livestock industry in Africa and better utilisation of her animal resources. The September 2010 issue is now online; contents include: Pan African Strategy for the Progressive … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Animal Products / Dairying / East Africa / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / Uganda
Computers serving Ugandan cows
A computer programme for feeding dairy cows has won the top prize in the 2009-2010 Africa-wide science competition held by CTA together with partner organisations. The Endiisa Decision Support Tool was developed by a team of scientists led by the National Livestock Resources Research Institute of Uganda. Team leader Dr Sarah Mubiru said the software … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 