From Hong Kong comes this report from MSNBC about research conducted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). ‘A growing number of livestock, such as cows and pigs, are fuelling new animal epidemics worldwide and posing more severe problems in developing countries as it threatens their food security, according to a report released on Friday. … Continue reading
Category Archives: ILRI
ILRI warns of health dangers of global livestock boom
‘The livestock boom could increase the number of animal plagues while further compromising food security. ‘The Deputy Director General of research at the International Livestock Research Institute – ILRI John McDermott said increasing the numbers of domestic livestock through resource-intensive production methods is increasing animal epidemics around the world. ‘McDermott says the problem is more … Continue reading
Of plagues and livestock–The Economist reports on ILRI research at the animal-human interface
A pig scavenges for food in trash outside a poor household in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India (photo credit: ILRI/Mann). The Economist today (10 February 2011) reports on news from the International Livestock Research Institute, being discussed this week at an international conference on agriculture, nutrition and health in New Delhi, India, of the critical need … Continue reading
A new CGIAR waits for donors to come through with promised funds
Jonathan Wadsworth, formerly of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and newly appointed executive director of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Fund, at a meeting of the CGIAR Transition Management Team in Penang, Malaysia, in 2009 (picture credit: ILRI/MacMillan). The prestigious American science journal Science has published today (4 February 2011) … Continue reading
ILRI communications update: Travelling knowledge, more bandwidth, getting social
In January 2011, the Partnerships and Communications group at the International Livestock Research Institute gathered in Addis Ababa to review 2010 progress and 2011 plans. Check out these video interviews: ILRI research ‘travelling’ further than ever (Bruce Scott) ILRI extends bandwidth and use of ICTs (Ian Moore) ILRI communications getting social (Susan Macmillan) See the 15 top communication … Continue reading
‘Africa rising’–Bill Gates on what’s working in health and agriculture
Bill Gates made a private visit to the Biosciences eastern and central Africa Hub (BecA Hub), hosted and managed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in Nairobi, Kenya, in early December 2009, and toured the new and refurbished labs (photo credit: ILRI/Ouma). Bill Gates writes in his third annual letter that he sees ‘Africa … Continue reading
ILRI and University of Agriculture Faisalabad join forces on indigenous livestock
Pakistan’s ‘Business Recorder’ reports from a workshop in Pakistan on the “implementation of development and application of decision support tools to conserve and sustainability use and genetic diversity in indigenous livestock and wild relatives” where the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) have signed a collaborative agreement. The main … Continue reading
Rangeland condition and feed resources in Metema district, North Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
This working paper by Tesfaye Desalew, Azage Tegegne, Lisanework Nigatu and Worku Teka on Rangeland condition and feed resources in Metema district, North Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia was released on 10 January, 2011. It focuses on a study conducted in 2006/07 in Metema district, North Gondar Zone of Amhara region, Ethiopia, with the objectives … Continue reading
Africa is getting serious about food
Working in a maize field in Malawi (photo credit: ILRI/Mann). IRIN, a United Nations humanitarian news service, says Africa should be in a better position to feed itself in another five years. ‘. . . Shortly after Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika became AU [Africa Union] chair in 2010, he announced a plan to make … Continue reading
Round-up of news reports of ILRI study on the impacts of a 4-degree-C increase on African food production
A farming household in the rainy season in Malawi; here, as in much of Africa, people’s livelihoods depend on the climate. This homestead is in Khulungira, a village of 150 families in central Malawi, 27 km from the nearest paved road and 50 km from the nearest town; there is no electricity and no running … Continue reading