ceaselessly across some of the harshest environments in the world in search of grazing land are vital for Africa’s economic prosperity. However, their way of life is being undermined by governments, conservationists and large-scale farmers, says a study. Read more … (Mail and Guardian) Continue reading
Category Archives: Livestock Systems
Smallholder farmers hold the key to global food security
While a lot of money is being pumped into agriculture in a bid to boost production and alleviate hunger in the world, these efforts are unlikely to succeed without focusing on mixed smallholder farmers, a new study has warned. The study, which puts countries like Kenya––long criticised for neglecting the smallholders––on the spot, says smallholders … Continue reading
Africa / Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / East Africa / Livestock / Livestock Systems / Pastoralism / West Africa
Modern and mobile: The future of livestock production in Africa’s drylands
This 2009 book is about the critical role mobile livestock keeping plays in the economic prosperity of Africa’s drylands. Across East and West Africa, an estimated 50 million livestock producers support their families, their communities, and a massive meat, skins and hides industry based on animals that are fed solely on natural dryland pastures. Where … Continue reading
Report says grasslands can help combat climate change
A new report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says grasslands have vast untapped potential to limit climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. The report says proper land use can also help one billion people who depend on livestock. The United Nations report says if pastures and rangelands are properly managed, … Continue reading
Nigeria: Farmer-pastoralists’ clash leaves 32 dead
A tense calm has been restored following clashes between pastoralists and farmers in central Nigeria’s Nasarawa State which left 32 people dead, scores of houses burned, and several farms destroyed, officials told IRIN. Violence erupted on 18 December when pastoralists attacked the farming village of Udeni Gida – two weeks after a clash with farmers … Continue reading
Innovation capacity and the elusive livestock revolution
In the October 2009 issue of LINK LOOK, Jeroen Dijkman looks at the track record of 10 years of ‘revolution’ in the livestock sector. Experience seems to suggest that only few countries have managed to use these sector dynamics effectively for poverty reduction and economic growth. Not surprisingly, those who have been able to respond … Continue reading
Climate-conscious ranching: Is free-range really better than feedlots?
The issue of the livestock-climate connection has catalyzed a debate not only about whether and to what extent we should consume animal protein like meat and dairy, but what kind of system of livestock production is more sustainable from a greenhouse gas perspective if and when we do choose to continue consuming it. For the … Continue reading
Don’t blame cows for climate change
Despite oft-repeated claims by sources ranging from the United Nations to music star Paul McCartney, it is simply not true that consuming less meat and dairy products will help stop climate change, says a University of California authority on farming and greenhouse gases. UC Davis Associate Professor and Air Quality Specialist Frank Mitloehner says that … Continue reading
Australia / Livestock / Livestock Systems / Pacific / Research / Sheep / Small Ruminants
Australian aims to breed ‘green’ sheep that burp less
Australian scientists have said they are hoping to breed sheep that burp less as part of efforts to tackle climate change. The scientists have been trying to identify a genetic link that causes some sheep to belch less than others. Burping is a far greater cause of emissions in sheep than flatulence, they say. Read … Continue reading
Agriculture / Cattle / East Africa / ILRI / Insurance / Kenya / Livestock / Livestock Systems / Pastoralism / Vulnerability
Pastoralists enter safety zone with insurance cover
…Pastoralists will be compensated for loss of their animals from January after a livestock insurance product is launched in Kenya. However, details of the exact amount of premium to be paid will depend on the insurance company that have agreed to partner with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the institution that developed the product. … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 