Im Kampf gegen den Hunger hat die Weltgemeinschaft ihre Ziele verfehlt—so lautet die Bilanz vor dem Uno-Gipfel. Eine Wende muss her. Damit künftig neun Milliarden Menschen satt werden, sollten nicht Großfarmen, sondern Kleinbauern gefördert werden. Das Essen war knapp im vergangenen Sommer. Monatelang hatte es nicht geregnet. Dorca Mutua, 35, sah, wie erst ihr Kalb … Continue reading
Category Archives: Africa
Africa / Animal Production / Climate Change / East Africa / Feeds / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock Systems
Kenya – Preying on small uneducated farmers
A new study by the International Livestock Research Institute has found that reductions in greenhouse gases could be worth $1 billion dollars to poor livestock farmers if they could sell saved carbon on international markets. Greenhouse gas emissions caused by livestock operations in tropical countries — a major contributor to climate change — could be … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Animal Production / Climate Change / Crop residues / Crop-Livestock / Fodder / Livestock / Livestock Systems / Southern Africa
Livestock systems in Swaziland: Adapt or perish
A changing climate will prompt changes in behaviour across southern Africa. And when it comes to adaptation, Swazi farmer Bongani Phakathi is a frustrated man a few steps ahead of his neighbours. Traditionally, livestock in Swaziland grazes in the fields during winter, eating what’s left behind after maize and other crops are harvested. But Phakathi … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / Capacity Strengthening / Central Africa / Disease Control / East Africa / Emerging Diseases / Research / Uganda / Zoonotic Diseases
Makerere-North Dakota to tackle zoonoses and vector-borne diseases in Eastern and Central Africa
Under a new initiative by the United States Agency for International Development and Higher Education for Development, 11 innovative new partnerships between 22 universities in Africa and the United States have each been awarded up to US$1.1 million to address food security and other issues in Africa. These partnerships will maximize the resources of US … Continue reading
Agriculture is about people
On the fara-net comes this interesting post from Francois Lategan: ‘I always find it quite interesting to read about the way we speak about the (lack of) progress (?) in the way Africa performs its agriculture and the possible reasons why things do not change (quick) enough for our liking. We tend to forget that … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Animal Production / Asia / Climate Change / ILRI / Latin America
Climate change? Blame it on production practices, not just cows
Environmentalists say cows’ methane-filled flatulence and burps are partly responsible for the changes in the earth’s climate. But a new study from the Kenya-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) suggests that we can curb cattle-generated greenhouse gas emissions by improving degraded lands, making breeds stronger and changing the animals’ diets. The study’s findings are published … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Asia / Climate Change / ILRI / Latin America
Changes to cow diet combats climate change
Climate change may be combated by changing the diet of livestock, whose farting and manure, along with the feed crops produced, contribute to 18 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), which conducted the study, said as the growing global demand for meat and … Continue reading
Africa may survive climate change better than expected
Adaptation to climate change could be easier for African nations because of rapid changes – particularly urbanization – happening across the continent. The fierce debate over the extent of climate change should not obscure the severe differences of opinion over how much adaptive skills of humans will influence the adverse effects of climate change. Especially … Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / Asia / CCAFS / Climate Change / Dairying / Environment / Food Security / ILRI / Latin America / Livestock
Tropical farming the climate-friendly way
Changing tropical farming methods could cut emissions of methane and carbon dioxide by up to 417 Mt of carbon dioxide-equivalent by 2030, around 12% of livestock-related worldwide emissions of the greenhouse gases. That’s according to a team from Copenhagen and Kenya, who believe that the most likely levels of emissions cuts could be worth $1.3 … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / Animal Products / Kenya / Mozambique / Southern Africa / Trade / Wildlife
Getting wildlife and livestock value-added benefits: Part 2 of interview of veterinarian Steve Osofsky
. . . If we don’t recognize the importance of both livestock and wildlife, southern Africa is going to lose out. The following excerpts are taken from the second part of a two-part interview with Steve Osofsky, Director of Wildlife Health Policy for the Wildlife Conservation Society. ‘In Botswana, if you want to export beef … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 