Work in the genetic resources program at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (photo on Flickr by CIAT/Neil Palmer). Are promising genetically modified food crops doomed to stay in greenhouses? What about crops whose bits (of bits) of their genomes have been ‘precision edited’ with the help of new genome engineering tools (Talens and Crispr) … Continue reading
Author Archives: Susan MacMillan
Article / CCAFS / Environment / Food Security / ILRI / ILRIComms
Future of (sustainable) livestock production: Efficient, but measured–Time Magazine on major new ILRI study
Ethiopian livestock-keeper and her children (photo credit: ILRI/Apollo Habtamu). Livestock production may have a bigger impact on the planet than anything else. A new study from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) shows how the effects vary from country to country — and points the way toward a more sustainable future. Below, Time Magazine‘s senior … Continue reading
ASSP / CCAFS / Climate Change / Environment / FFD / ILRI / ILRIComms / Intensification / Report
Reducing climate change through livestock: FAO report
A farm in Bangladesh with just enough room for one cow, which, adequately fed and cared for, efficiently produces enough milk for household consumption and manure for maintaining a small garden plot and fish pond (photo on Flickr by WorldFish). ‘Farmers could earn more and protect the environment by using technologies and practices that reduce … Continue reading
CCAFS / Drought / Drylands / East Africa / Ethiopia / ILRI / ILRIComms / Insurance / Kenya / Pastoralism / PIL / Project / Vulnerability
First insurance for pastoralist herders in Kenya now available in Isiolo and Wajir
Goat herds return home at sunset in northern Kenya (photo credit: USAID/Donatella Lorch). ‘[Hussein] Ahmed, a pastoralist in Marsabit district in arid and semi-arid northern Kenya, lost all his animals in 2011 during one of the worst droughts in the region for over 60 years. . . . “Before that [I lost my animals] to cattle rustlers … Continue reading
Burkina Faso / Chad / Mali / Niger / Senegal
It can be done: Perfecting the art of survival in the Sahel
Fishermen and Sahelian goats by the Niger River, in Segou, Mali (photo credit: ILRI/Stevie Mann). ‘The Sahel region, a vast arid stretch of land linking six countries in West Africa—Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal—is home to some of the most productive pastoralist communities in the world. And yet, assailed by a host … Continue reading
Biotechnology / Cattle / Disease Control / East Africa / ILRI / ILRIComms / Kenya / LiveGene / LIVESTOCKFISH / Trypanosomiasis
Disease-resistant cattle for Africa
Boran cattle grazing at Kapiti Ranch, in Kenya (photo credit: ILRI). ‘Plans are under way to develop a cow that is resistant to trypanosomiasis at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). ‘The disease is known as nagana in animals and sleeping sickness in human beings. ‘“Since animals carry parasites that cause trypanosomiasis, a resistant cow … Continue reading
Directorate / Film and video / Food Security / ILRI / ILRIComms / LIVESTOCKFISH / Nutrition / Policy / Presentation / Pro-Poor Livestock
Three short strategic films from livestock institute chart ways forward for ‘better lives through livestock’
‘This video from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), features ILRI director general Jimmy Smith talking on the role of livestock in the global development agenda. ‘The 13 minute film points out that 4 of the top 5 agricultural commodities by value are livestock, and that in Africa, 4 of the top 10 agricultural commodities are … Continue reading
A4NH / Disease Control / East Africa / Emerging Diseases / FSZ / ILRI / ILRIComms / RVF / South Sudan / Zoonotic Diseases
News media correction requested regarding recent misreport of Rift Valley fever outbreak
On 16 Oct 2013, a news release titled Outbreak of rift valley fever disease reported in RSS reported that there is an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in South Sudan. This is inaccurate. There is no outbreak of Rift Valley fever in South Sudan that we know of. Those quoted in the news release were participants … Continue reading
Agriculture / Environment / Event / Food Security / ILRI / ILRIComms / Opinion piece / Pro-Poor Livestock
World Food Day: On the central, enduring (and other) roles of smallholders in feeding the world (in 12 tweets/images)
We’re celebrating this World Food Day (#WFD2013) journalist Mark Bittman in a New York Times opinion piece, How to Feed the World (14 Oct 2013), on the central and enduring value of smallholder farming in feeding the world sustainably. Read the whole article. It’s very good. We’ve added some of our favourite artworks, all (kindly) made … Continue reading
Livestock Matter(s): ILRI news ’roundup’ September 2013
This September 2013 issue of ‘Livestock Matter(s)’ presents a round-up of livestock development news, publications, presentations, images and upcoming events from ILRI and its partners. Download a print version – or sign up to get Livestock Matter(s) in your mailbox each month. Corporate news Sustainable intensification of agriculture in Africa: The case for mixed crop-livestock farming On 19 September 2013, … Continue reading
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