Category Archives: Countries

Africa / East Africa / Ethiopia / Innovation Systems / Kenya / Knowledge and Information / Pastoralism

Pastoral innovation systems: Perspectives from Ethiopia and Kenya

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Ian Scoones and Andrew Adwera of the Future Agricultures Consortium report from a March 2009 meeting of over 50 pastoralists from across southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. Gathered in the Borana lowlands at the ‘University of the Bush,’ they debated key pastoral development issues and the question of innovation in pastoral systems. Meeting in several languages, participants … Continue reading →

Africa / East Africa / Ethiopia / Livelihoods / Pastoralism

Raising voice – Securing a livelihood for pastoralists in Ethiopia

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In July this year, Pastoralist Consultants International published a summary of their recent study into pastoralist livelihoods in Ethiopia. It discusses discusses the role of diverse voices in developing secure livelihoods in pastoralist areas of Ethiopia. The paper shows how Ethiopian pastoralists value being able to speak, be heard and be connected. Download the PDF … Continue reading →

Cattle / Climate Change / Europe / UK

Stock can safely graze (and contain greenhouse gas emissions)

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Grassland farmers can make a considerable contribution to food security while continuing to reduce their environmental impact and make a contribution to climate change, according to a report released by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE). The report, Reducing Emissions from Livestock, has been written by independent livestock scientist, Dr David Garwes, and published … Continue reading →

Camels / Europe / Livelihoods / Livestock Systems / Netherlands

The camel as cow, a cautionary tale

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Putting aside for the moment the advisability of trying to make a living milking camels, you would not think it a particularly difficult business. But you would be wrong. The camels grazing outside of Den Bosch may look happy enough. But milking them is another story; moody camels are known to spit and kick, and … Continue reading →

Animal Feeding / China / Consumption / Markets / Trade

Global demand for animal protein and its implications for the feed industry

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Summary Global demands for food are expected to increase 100% by 2050 driven by an increase in global population to 9+ billion and a growth in affluence primarily in China, India, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Twenty percent of this increased food demand can come from increased land put into production; however, environmental concerns and … Continue reading →

Climate Change / Drought / East Africa / Kenya

Kenya’s pain: Famine, drought, government ambivalence cripples once stable nation

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Children are starving, cattle are dropping dead, crops are withered, lakes are empty, and still the rains haven’t come. Kenya is on the verge of a catastrophe of Biblical proportions. Read more … (Part one in a two part look at the crisis in Kenya. The next article will focus on how the drought is … Continue reading →

Africa / Agriculture / East Africa / ILRI / Livestock / Markets / Middle East / Research / Sheep / Small Ruminants / Sudan / Trade

Constraints in the market chains for export of Sudanese sheep and sheep meat to the Middle East

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This report by Omar Hassan el Dirani of Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Sudan, Mohammad A Jabbar, ILRI former staff and Babiker Idris Babiker, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Khartoum,  on Constraints in the market chains for export of Sudanese sheep and sheep meat to the Middle East was released on 15 September, … Continue reading →

Africa / Biotechnology / Kenya

Kenyan scientists to support sub-Saharan African farmers

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A group of veteran and upcoming women scientists in Kenya under AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Department) programme have urged African leaders and US policy makers to put women at the centre of efforts to address hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. During the recent visit by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton … Continue reading →