Vietnam: Taking a pig to market

Posted on 13 Jan 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

The rapid growth in demand for pork in Vietnam represents an opportunity for smallholders to improve their incomes. But limited access to improved breeds, inputs, veterinary services and markets has constrained smallholders from benefiting fully from market opportunities presented by this rising demand. Recent pronouncements on government policy have also favoured the development of larger-scale, … Continue reading →

East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock / Participation / Pastoralism / Tanzania / Wildlife

Sustaining communities, livestock and wildlife: A guide to participatory land-use planning

Posted on 12 Jan 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

This guide is designed to help communities and policy-makers at local and national levels make informed choices regarding land use, business ventures, and public policy in pastoral areas, particularly the Maasai Steppe and other semi-arid parts of East Africa. This decision support tool, Sustaining communities, livestock and wildlife stems from work by the Food and … Continue reading →

Animal Health / Drought / East Africa / Kenya / Livestock

Kenya’s Livestock ministry seeks more cash to replenish herds

Posted on 11 Jan 2010 by ILRI Communications • Leave a comment

The Livestock ministry is seeking additional funds from Treasury to help farmers replenish their herds after the recent biting drought and floods in parts of the country. It wants KES 700 million in addition to the KES 130 million earmarked for the exercise, said permanent secretary Kenneth Lusaka, adding that they had prepared a Cabinet … Continue reading →

Biodiversity / Indigenous Breeds / Livestock / Sheep / Small Ruminants

Rare breeds, frozen in time

Posted on 11 Jan 2010 by ILRI Communications • Leave a comment

It didn’t take long for Chip, a Tennessee fainting goat sporting a luxuriant Vandyke beard and an impressive pair of curlicue horns, to live up to his breed’s name. When Peter Borden, accompanied by a stranger, entered the immaculate stable that Chip calls home, the goat pressed his velvety nose through the bars of his … Continue reading →

Africa / Animal Diseases / Livestock / Southern Africa

Zambia government to establish livestock disease-free zones

Posted on 10 Jan 2010 by ILRI Communications • Leave a comment

GOVERNMENT will this year establish disease-free zones in three provinces in order to control major livestock diseases and improve livestock productivity with enhanced provision of infrastructure. It is expected that within the zone and its borders, appropriate official veterinary control would be effectively applied for animals and animal products and their transportation. Read more … … Continue reading →

East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock / Pastoralism / Tanzania / Wildlife

Kudumisha uhusiano kati ya jamii, ufugaji na wanyamapori: Mwongozo wa ushirikishwaji katika kupanga Matumizi ya ardhi

Posted on 10 Jan 2010 by ILRI Communications • Leave a comment

Mwongozo huu umeandaliwa ili kusaidia jamii na watunga sera katika ngazi ya jamii na kitaifa kufanya maamuzi na uchaguzi sahihi kuhusu matumizi ya ardhi, biashara, na sera za kitaifa kwa maeneo ya wafugaji, hasa nyika za umasaini na maeneo makame ya Afrika ya Mashariki. Kitini hiki kinachoeleza mfumo wa kusaidia ufanyaji maamuzi, Kudumisha uhusiano kati … Continue reading →

Livestock

FAO and NGOs got together to focus on livestock development issues

Posted on 9 Jan 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

The current global animal production landscape is wide, complex and multifaceted. FAO recognises the important role played by the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in promoting responsible livestock practices as part of their programme and that there are opportunities for greater cooperation. With this in mind, the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) took the initiative to … Continue reading →

CGIAR / Food Security / ILRI / Ireland / Livestock

Irish Aid increases collaboration with universities and research centres to reduce global hunger

Posted on 8 Jan 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

The Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power T.D., yesterday announced significant funding for collaborative research between Irish universities and international research centres to combat hunger. Outlining the Government’s increased support, Minister Power said: “This initiative represents an investment in research that will ultimately help to increase food production, improve diets and reduce vulnerability … Continue reading →

Dairying / India / Livestock / Markets / South Asia

Make dairy farming commercial activity to achieve surplus production

Posted on 7 Jan 2010 by ILRI Communications • Leave a comment

Dr Rajinder Pal Singh, an Indian-Australian farm economist working with international agricultural research bodies — CIMMYT and IRRI — has studied dairy farming , a traditional activity in Punjab. He has concluded that as a supplementary source of income, dairy is not financially viable for farmers. Dr Rajinder Pal believes that the venture should be … Continue reading →

Dairying / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / South Asia / Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka introduces ICT to dairy farmers

Posted on 7 Jan 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

Web and mobile technologies have been introduced such that Sri Lanka’s dairy farmers can achieve self-sufficiency in milk production. The project, called e-Dairy, is part of the effort by the country’s Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) to improve livelihoods of the rural community, which accounts for 70 per cent of the country’s population. Read … Continue reading →