The era of commodity research aimed at feeding a starving world is over. A new era has begun that requires us to nourish everyone in ways that can be sustained environmentally, economically and culturally. Policymakers urgently need to recognize that diets are compromising economic productivity and well-being as never before. Continue reading
Phil Thornton leads CGIAR research on institutions and policies for climate-resilient food systems. He makes the case for better and closer scientist-citizen engagement in an opinion piece published this week in the wake of this year’s national political election results in Australia, the UK and the USA. Continue reading
The Athi-Kaputiei ecosystem covers about 2,200 square kilometres of Kenya’s Kajiado County, south of Nairobi. It is also home to Nairobi National Park—the world’s only game reserve within a major city. The ecosystem has experienced some dramatic changes since the late 19th century. The accounts of early writers paint a picture of a spectacular ecosystem teeming with diverse resident and migratory wildlife. Records describe abundant wildebeest that migrated seasonally with other wildlife species, livestock and pastoralists. In a recently published study my colleagues and I examined the impact of land fragmentation in the Athi-Kaputiei ecosystem between 1977 and 2014. Our study shows that urbanisation and development has put the ecosystem in distress. It has fragmented the landscape which has reduced the ability of animals to migrate as they used to. The result is that their numbers have plummeted. Continue reading
Emerging infectious diseases are a major concern to the global public health community, both in terms of disease burden and economic burden. Understanding the processes that lead to their emergence is therefore a scientific research priority. Over the last five years Eric Fevre has been working with a group of researchers to understand what leads to the introduction of pathogens in urban environments and how those then emerge in the human population. Continue reading
This video comes from the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and its many partners, including ILRI, which is proud to work with CCAFS and its lead centre, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Continue reading
By unlocking carbon credit markets, first-of-its-kind methodology looks to boost financing for smallholder farms, green the livestock sector. The new dairy methodology, developed by FAO, ILRI, Kenya State Department of Livestock and the Gold Standard Foundation, is a key to allowing smallholder dairy operations to receive internationally-accepted carbon credits in exchange for emission reductions. Continue reading
We can shrink the carbon footprint of livestock, but we need to properly measure their emissions first. Opinion piece written by Polly Ericksen. Continue reading
The government of the state of Odisha, in eastern India, and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) will work together to provide improved feed and fodder to livestock in the state (formerly known as Orissa) in a new three-year project. Continue reading
This week marked a milestone for the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). For the first time since its reform, it recognized the role of livestock in addressing malnutrition, sustainable agriculture and climate change. Continue reading
Jimmy Smith, director general of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in a webinar today hosted by Food Tank, presented the case for sustainable livestock development in low- and middle-income countries helping the world achieve food and nutritional security. Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 