A Kenyan woman visits an exhibit on the importance of conserving Africa’s native livestock and forage resources. The livestock exhibit, along with other exhibits on the importance of conserving Africa’s food crop resources, was part of an event held in Nairobi at the National Museum to celebrate International Biodiversity Day on 22 May 2010. (Photo … Continue reading
Category Archives: Biodiversity
African livestock diversity is ‘logical starting point’ for future food supplies
Olivier Hanotte, a former livestock geneticist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), with whom he collaborates today, has the following to say in a recent blog post about the value of Africa’s native livestock. ‘[Africa’s] indigenous livestock are not only adapted to diverse African agro-ecological production systems – they are also unique and responsive … Continue reading
Imported cattle threaten African livestock diversity and continent’s food supply
‘Even though locally-adapted, diversified agriculture and farming is a key component of both food security today and in a warmer more climate-stressed future, the Big Ag trend is still towards less crop diversity and more uniformity. Here’s a perfect example of the downside of that: The International Livestock Research Institute says urgent action is needed … Continue reading
Breeding ancient cattle back from extinction
The only place to see an aurochs in nature these days? A cave painting. The enormous wild cattle that once roamed the European plains have been extinct since 1627, when the last survivor died in a Polish nature reserve. But this could soon change thanks to the work of European preservationists who are hoping they … Continue reading
Africa’s native livestock key to a sustainable food supply
‘African livestock breeds have successfully adapted to many diseases and climatic changes ‘The genetically diverse and “exquisitely well adapted” traits of Africa’s livestock should be better harnessed to meet the continent’s needs. ‘Seventy per cent of Africa’s rural poor keep livestock and 200 million people depend on the animals for their livelihoods. ‘African livestock breeds … Continue reading
Afrikas vieh als wertvolle genetische resource–Forscher raten zur anlage von bio-banken
‘Die genetische Vielfalt von afrikanischem Vieh muss unbedingt und raschest in Bio-Banken gespeichert werden. ‘Das fordern Forscher in einem Artikel im Wissenschaftsmagazin Science. “Die in Afrika vorhandenen nativen Zuchten haben sich den zum Teil sehr schwierigen Lebensbedingungen gut anpassen können”, so Studien Co-Autor Olivier Hanotte, Professor für Genetik an der University of Nottingham im pressetext-Interview. … Continue reading
African livestock offers ‘untapped genetic resource’
The genetic diversity of Africa’s indigenous livestock needs to be tapped before it is lost forever, researchers have warned. They said native breeds had adapted to tolerate parasites or produce “robust” milk yields in harsh conditions. Writing in the journal science, they added that these traits had yet to be unlocked by the scientific community. … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Production / Biodiversity / East Africa / Indigenous Breeds / Livestock Systems / Pastoralism
Using livestock to rebuild and preserve communities
For pastoralist communities like the well-known Maasai in Kenya, livestock keeping is more than just an important source of food and income; it’s a way of life that has been a part of their culture and traditions for hundreds of years. But, in the face of drought, loss of traditional grazing grounds, and pressure from … Continue reading
Biodiversity / Directorate / Genebank / ILRI / Livestock
Livestock diversity needs genebanks too
Livestock genebanks are needed to ensure the world’s future food supply, says livestock expert Carlos Seré. The genetic diversity of livestock is threatened worldwide, but especially in the global South, where the vast majority of farm animal breeds reside. Read more … (SciDev.net) Continue reading
Asia / Biodiversity / Climate Change / Food Security / India / South Asia
Food Security, biodiversity and climate change
GENE CAMPAIGN and Action Aid organized a seminal workshop at New Delhi last week (April23/24) to deliberate on this issue. In her lead presentation, Suman Sahai made the point that climate change will bring turbulence in ALL production systems: no exclusions will be pronounced! The greater the genetic variety, the better the coping strategy will … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 