Category Archives: Animal Breeding

A better backyard chicken for Africa could help save the continent’s diminishing wildlife populations
ACGG / Africa / Animal Breeding / Animal Health / Animal Production / Asia / Breeds / Chickens / Disease Control / Ethiopia / Food Security / ILRI / India / News clipping / Nutrition / Pro-Poor Livestock / Vaccines / Wildlife / Women

A better backyard chicken for Africa could help save the continent’s diminishing wildlife populations

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The idea that the humble chicken could become a savior of wildlife will seem improbable to many environmentalists. But as the human population grows at a rate that rapidly outpaces the ability of natural habitats to feed it, a better backyard chicken could be a real hope for people and wildlife alike. Continue reading →

Appolinaire Djikeng, of BecA-ILRI Hub, appointed director of leading tropical livestock centre
Animal Breeding / Animal Diseases / Animal Health / Biodiversity / Breeds / Disease Control / Genetics / ILRI / Kenya / LiveGene / LIVESTOCKCRP / Pro-Poor Livestock / Staff / UK

Appolinaire Djikeng, of BecA-ILRI Hub, appointed director of leading tropical livestock centre

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Appolinaire Djikeng has been appointed director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, a partnership between the University of Edinburgh, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and ILRI. Continue reading →

The ‘big bet’ on chickens for Africa
ACGG / Africa / Animal Breeding / Animal Feeding / Article / Chickens / CTLGH / Ethiopia / Genetics / ILRI / Indigenous Breeds / Intensification / LiveGene / LIVESTOCKFISH / Markets / Mozambique / Nigeria / Poultry / Tanzania

The ‘big bet’ on chickens for Africa

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The African Chicken Genetic Gains project is on a mission to bring ‘more productive chickens to African smallholders’. Led by ILRI, and backed by the deep pockets of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the African Chicken Genetic Gains project aims to improve the genetic makeup of African chickens. The initiative, which is initially being rolled out in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania, is part of what the Microsoft founder has called his ‘big bet’ on chickens, which also includes a promise to donate 100,000 of the birds to families and communities in the world’s poorest nations. . . . Continue reading →

Better livestock policies in Africa offer a pathway out of poverty
Africa / Animal Breeding / Animal Production / Article / Breeds / Cattle / Indigenous Breeds / Intensification / Kenya / Policy / Poverty / Pro-Poor Livestock

Better livestock policies in Africa offer a pathway out of poverty

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Boran cattle in Yabello, Ethiopia (photo credit: ILRI/ Camille Hanotte). By Thumbi Mwangi, Washington State University A majority of rural households in Africa keep different livestock species. But only a small proportion can afford to keep good quality livestock. This is mainly due to a combination of low government funding and the poor policies of external … Continue reading →

Belgian artist’s 20-year chicken breeding project makes artistic, environmental (maybe philosophical) statement
ACGG / Animal Breeding / Article / Biodiversity / Breeds / Chickens / Environment / Europe / Genetics / ILRI / Indigenous Breeds / LiveGene / Poultry

Belgian artist’s 20-year chicken breeding project makes artistic, environmental (maybe philosophical) statement

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Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen has created a chicken with genes from different chicken breeds from all over the world. Now he’s bringing it to America to help diversify our poultry. Continue reading →

If Africa learnt to feed its chickens, it could feed its people—Calestous Juma
ACGG / Africa / Animal Breeding / Article / Biodiversity / Breeds / Chickens / Ethiopia / ILRI / Indigenous Breeds / LiveGene / Nigeria / Poultry / Tanzania

If Africa learnt to feed its chickens, it could feed its people—Calestous Juma

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‘Africa, which imports nearly 83% of the food it consumes, has a real chicken and egg problem. The continent is caught between pressure from imports in some countries and an inability to meet demand in others.’ Article by Calestous Juma republished from The Conversation. Continue reading →