When the smallholder dairy farmer looks at a cow, he sees more than just a simple economic asset whose value is reckoned in terms of the milk it produces. What he sees is an asset endowed with an assortment of attributes ranging from the production of milk, manure to fertilize crops, insurance against unforeseen contingencies … Continue reading
Category Archives: Regions
Africa / Animal Feeding / Dairying / Feeds / Livestock / South Africa
Feedlots can be environmentally friendly
Koos Coetzee of South Africa’s Milk Producers’ Organisation argues that intensive livestock-production systems can be sustainable for people and the environment. He argues: “It’s erroneously believed that low-input production systems hold the key to sustainable dairy production” “We need efficient high-input production systems that use technology to produce enough food for our growing population. Farmers … Continue reading
Drought / East Africa / ILRI / Innovation Systems / Insurance / Kenya / Livestock
Innovative livestock insurance program launched in Kenya
In the arid, dusty Marsabit region of northern Kenya, most people rely on livestock — for food, milk and income — to survive. So when a drought hits the already desertlike area and plants and animals begin to die, the entire population is at risk of famine. And because northern Kenya experiences drought about every … Continue reading
Swiss tackle the threat of animal diseases
BSE, bird flu, foot and mouth, bluetongue, swine flu – it’s been an active decade for animal diseases and Swiss authorities are now preparing for the next wave. As veterinary experts know, it’s not a question of if the next big disease outbreak happens but when, something that the new Swiss animal health strategy aims … Continue reading
Pakistan: First-ever national rangeland policy on the cards
The long wait spanning more than 62 years for having the national rangeland policy is almost over. Alarmed by the rangelands and pastures’ degradation and adverse impacts of climate change on them coupled with growing loss of biodiversity, the Ministry of Environment has finally come up with a draft strategy to ensure sustainable development and … Continue reading
Nomadic alarm bells
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
Africa / Agriculture / East Africa / Environment / ILRI / Insurance / Pastoralism
Farm aid from space
Dusty northern Kenya doesn’t look like a laboratory, but across its dry plains, cattle herders are pioneering a new way to fend off poverty and teaming up with unlikely partners – insurance agents. The two groups have been brought together by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), headquartered in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. A few years … Continue reading
Africa / Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / East Africa / Livestock / Pastoralism
End of the road nears for pastoralists’ way of life
The government of Kenya and the donor community should act fast to preserve the way of life of nomadic people. For long, the economic worth of nomadic people has been underplayed, though the role they play in preserving fragile ecosystems is vital. That’s the conclusion of a new book published by the Institute for Environment … Continue reading
Guyana: Agriculture Ministry embarks on ‘rice straw’ technology
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today paid a visit to Nothingville Backlands, Hope, East Coast Demerara, to assess the works in progress to sustain cattle farmers, in light of the El Nino situation now being experienced. During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Persaud said that the exercise is in keeping with … Continue reading
Walter Plowright: Developed vaccine against rinderpest
The London Times recent obituary of Walter Plowright hails Plowright for transforming cattle-based economies that had been blighted by the rinderpest virus. Read more . .. (Times) Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 