…David Nkedianye, a researcher at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kabete, said greenhouses are threatening to edge the pastroalists out of their traditional lands. “The water issue is a very controversial one. How do you extract so much water for greenhouse agriculture in an arid area where one of the key concerns is … Continue reading
Category Archives: Africa
Africa / Animal Diseases / Cattle / East Africa / ECF / ILRI / Livestock / Regions / Research / Vaccines
African cattle to be protected from killer disease
Millions of African families could be saved from destitution thanks to a much-needed vaccine that is being mass-produced in a drive to protect cattle against a deadly parasite. East Coast fever is a tick-transmitted disease that kills one cow every 30 seconds – with one million a year dying of the disease. Calves are particularly … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / East Africa / ECF / ILRI / Livestock / Tanzania / Vaccines
DFID funds mass production of East Coast fever vaccine
Millions of African families could be saved from destitution thanks to a much-needed vaccine that is being mass-produced in a drive to protect cattle against a deadly parasite. East Coast fever is a tick-transmitted disease that kills one cow every 30 seconds – with one million a year dying of the disease. Calves are particularly … Continue reading
Africa / Benin / Livestock / Markets / West Africa
USADF signs three grants to support livestock markets in Benin
The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) signed three grants to support livestock markets in Benin. The grants will benefit l’Association Locale de Gestion du Marché à Bétail Auto-Géré de Gogounou (ALGMB), l’Union Communale des Professionnels des Eleveurs de Ruminants d’Abomey (UCOPER Abomey), and l’Union Communale des Organisations Professionnelles des Eleveurs de Ruminants de Dogue … Continue reading
Africa / BecA / Capacity Strengthening / ILRI / Research
Working to increase the food spply in the developing world
Under a heading ‘career profiles’ in the AAAS Science Magazine, Jagger Harvey of the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub, is profiled. “As a research scientist at the BecA Hub, today Harvey leads research on plant-viral diseases affecting African crops. He also coordinates the placement and training of international and local researchers and students, from … Continue reading
The last nomads: Drought drives Kenya’s herders to the brink
In the isolated border lands between Kenya and Somalia, families have always clung to a precarious existence. Now a decade of droughts has tested their endurance Hawa Hassan comes leading three donkeys, accompanied by two female relatives and a handful of the family’s smallest children. They have walked out of the drought-withered acacia scrub, travelling … Continue reading
Africa / East Africa / Ethiopia / Innovation Systems / Kenya / Knowledge and Information / Pastoralism
Pastoral innovation systems: Perspectives from Ethiopia and Kenya
Ian Scoones and Andrew Adwera of the Future Agricultures Consortium report from a March 2009 meeting of over 50 pastoralists from across southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. Gathered in the Borana lowlands at the ‘University of the Bush,’ they debated key pastoral development issues and the question of innovation in pastoral systems. Meeting in several languages, participants … Continue reading
Africa / East Africa / Ethiopia / Livelihoods / Pastoralism
Raising voice – Securing a livelihood for pastoralists in Ethiopia
In July this year, Pastoralist Consultants International published a summary of their recent study into pastoralist livelihoods in Ethiopia. It discusses discusses the role of diverse voices in developing secure livelihoods in pastoralist areas of Ethiopia. The paper shows how Ethiopian pastoralists value being able to speak, be heard and be connected. Download the PDF … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Asia / Fodder / ILRI / India / Innovation Systems / Nigeria / South Asia / West Africa
Agriculture needs better innovation, not technology
Pilot projects in India and Nigeria point to possible benefits of a new approach to agricultural innovation, say Andy Hall and Susanna Thorp. Read more … (SciDev.net) Continue reading
‘Barcodes’ tackle bush meat trade
The BBC reports that “researchers have developed a new tool in the fight against the illegal hunting and trading of wild animals.” Read more … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 