The drylands of Marsabit District, in northern Kenya (photo credit: ILRI/Mude). ‘With drought striking Kenya every two years, survival becomes an ever more violent occupation. ‘Qampa Re Liban (61), kicks the red soil, hurling up a cloud of dust with the rubber plimsoll on his right foot. ‘“No rain,” he says, leaning on an Ulle … Continue reading
‘The International Livestock Research Institute is calling for immediate, practical steps to preserve developing countries’ dwindling animal genetic diversity. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization says almost 10 percent of the world’s livestock breeds have become extinct in the last six years. Twenty percent of the 7,616 breeds documented in the FAO’s Global Databank … Continue reading
The 12th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the East African Community is taking place today, 3 December 2010, at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Arusha, Tanzania. President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and current chairman of the summit, as well as presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, … Continue reading
In a recent report, New York-based public policy action tank Brighter Green questions whether Ethiopia is not in fact constraining its chances of coping with expected increases in drought and erratic weather as a result of global warming by expanding its livestock population and intensive animal-agriculture sector. Brighter Green’s research examines whether Ethiopia can industrialize … Continue reading
With the rising fuel costs, farmers in Kenya have come up with ways of generating power locally and cheaply. Biogas is increasing becoming a viable alternative to many farmers and especially those in high potential Central Highlands where dairying is common. Read more … (Kenya Agriculture Stories) Continue reading
A first National Dairy Forum was organized this week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Scientists, experts, representatives of farmer cooperatives and farmers, from the private sector as well as non-governmental and international organizations, attended the Forum. On behalf of the state minister, Berhe G/Egziabher, director of the Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Directorate of the Ministry … Continue reading
People in the floodplains of Mozambique’s Zambezi Valley have always relied on the rains October and November so they could sow their seeds for a good harvest in the New Year. But, there are droughts and the rains are erratic, often coming very late and falling so heavily that everything is washed away. Crops fail, … Continue reading
In Kenya, low prices offered by the formal milk marketing channels are forcing farmers countrywide to seek alternatives to get better deals. Milk hawkers have continued to thrive even as restrictions are put on their way as concerns heighten over hygiene standards. Every morning more than 40,000 milk hawkers are out on their bicycles, motorcycles … Continue reading
In the lush green hilly countryside of Kirinyaga district, Central Kenya, a silent farming revolution is taking place. While tea is favoured crop mainly due to the cool weather in the areas close to the 5199 m snowcapped Mt Kenya, integrated chicken-fish farming is slowly taking root. Read more … (Kenya Agriculture Stories) Note: The … Continue reading
Colombia, with 24 million head of cattle, is showcasing two advances towards reducing the 13 percent of climate-changing gas emissions attributed to livestock production around the world. The key words in this endeavour: brachialactone and Lotus uliginosus. Brachialactone, a chemical compound discovered in this Andean country on the roots of the African Brachiaria humidicola, gives … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 