Although avian influenza and H1N1 have dominated the news for the last few years, many other serious diseases can ravage livestock and rural communities. Newcastle disease, which can wipe out entire flocks of chickens and can spread from farm to farm, is especially devastating for rural farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more … (Nourishing the … Continue reading
Category Archives: Regions
14th AU summit nominates Ethiopian PM to represent Africa in climate change fora
The 14th Summit of the African Union (AU) heads of state and government here has unanimously nominated Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to again represent Africa in international fora in future global climate conferences. The AU Summit, which ended here Tuesday, commended the same leading role played by Meles on behalf of the continent at … Continue reading
Koraro: The sustainability factor
The following is the sixth and final post in a series of reports from the Ethiopian village of Koraro, an important testing ground for the Millennium Village Project, an experiment in global development strategy spearheaded by economist Jeffrey Sachs. The reports, written by Jeff Marlow, a graduate student at the California Institute of Technology, consider … Continue reading
Agriculture / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Research
Africa to benefit from high-calibre labs
African scientists and students now have access to world-class laboratory facilities, with the opening of an agricultural biosciences research facility at the International Livestock Research Institute’s (ILRI) campus in Nairobi, Kenya. The laboratory facility meets the standards of the world’s most developed countries, said an ILRI spokesperson, and will enable Africans to “venture into new … Continue reading
BecA / Central Africa / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Research
New bioscience research facility to boost innovation
A world-class bioscience research facility that has opened its doors in Nairobi is set to move Africa closer to the developed world in agricultural technology. The aptly named Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA) centre at the International Livestock Research Institute hub brings together a critical mass of scientists from Africa and abroad and is … Continue reading
CIAT seeks Forage and Livestock Systems Specialist Asia
CIAT is seeking applications for the position of a Forage and Livestock Systems Specialist. The position will be based at the Regional Office of CIAT in Asia, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, and will be housed within the Tropical Forages Program of CIAT. Read more … (CIAT) Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / BecA / ILRI / Research
Bill Gates: Africa is innovating in financial services, food sciences, health
In the second annual letter he has issued to the public to discuss his and his wife’s philanthropic work through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft founder Bill Gates issued an upbeat assessment on the prospects of overcoming the challenges faced by the world’s poorest people—many in Africa—in the fields of health and agriculture. … Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock
Livestock – the lifeline of hundreds of millions of people
Livestock production in developing and developed countries are different. Livestock beneficial for developing nations is harmful for developed countries. While rising consumption of meat, milk and eggs is one of the factors in epidemics of obesity and heart disease in developed countries, consumption of meat and milk in developing countries is associated with good rather … Continue reading
Africa / Climate Change / Drought / East Africa / ILRI / Insurance / Kenya / Livestock
Livestock farmers to receive compensation
Livestock farmers in North Eastern Kenya will be compensated against loss of their animals from drought following the launch of an insurance product targeting the sector. The compensation will ensure that pastoralists do not suffer losses when their livestock die from drought, disease or flooding. Read more … (Kenya Broadcasting Corporation) Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / Botswana / Drought / Insurance / Southern Africa
Agriculture insurance finally launched in Botswana
Agriculture insurance has finally been launched for the first time in Botswana with the facilitation of the Agricultural Hub, as the sector tries to move towards full commercialisation. This week, Agrinsure Botswana a joint venture effort between South Africa’s Farmers Technical Insurance Services Company (FTISC) and Alexandra Forbes Botswana, was officially unveiled to stakeholders in … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 