Africa / Animal Production / BecA / Biodiversity / Cameroon / Central Africa / Congo-DR / East Africa / Genetics / ILRI / Innovation Systems / Livestock / LIVESTOCKFISH

Molecular study makes a difference to guinea pig producers in eastern Congo

Domestic cavies (or guinea pigs) provide a high-quality meat source with high levels of protein in similar quantity as chicken meat. Here, Brigitte Maass explains how an innovation platform linking cavy producers and other organizations is helping to bridge molecular science with livestock production. An Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund (ACBF) project (led by the BecA-ILRI … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Health / ASF / Asia / Cameroon / Chad / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / ILRI / Kenya / Pigs / Project / Uganda

Researchers in Kenya funded to start work on development of a vaccine against African swine fever

Smallholder pig producer family in Kiboga, Uganda (photo credit: ILRI/Danilo Pezo). ‘Scientists in Kenya have launched research of a vaccine to be used against African swine fever. The study is still at an early stage where scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) are identifying antigens and best-bet delivery systems to be used. ‘“Research … Continue reading

Africa / BecA / Cameroon / Congo-DR / Food Security / ILRI / Nutrition / South America / Tanzania

Guinea pigs for African tables? A ‘Cavy Innovation Platform’ is set up in Cameroon

Cavies (aka guinea pigs) in a special pig pantry off the side of a kitchen in Peru (photo on Flickr by Emile Hardman/QuintanaRoo). Could guinea pigs be a new protein source in Africa? In a special report  on ‘Solutions for a hungry world’ by AlertNet, Emma Batha describes how the raising of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), also called … Continue reading