It is not the best time for livestock breeders to be in Copenhagen, especially those whose livelihoods and culture are intertwined with the precious creatures that provide meat in diet. Negotiators and activists here say the world has to cut its meat consumption and activities around raising chicken, pigs, and cattle, saying they are major … Continue reading
For too long, the potential of the livestock sector in Africa has not received the attention it deserves. Policies and other institutions promoting livestock development have been weak or absent in most African countries. Commercialization has not been a focus and livestock production remained predominantly subsistence-oriented. Commercially oriented animal production systems are more likely to … Continue reading
A pungent odor like turpentine wafts over the hillsides north of the Mongolian capital. It comes from the sharilj, a wild plant that has taken over the scalloped landscape, a telltale sign of overgrazing since the plant is inedible for sheep and goats. Sukhtseren Sharav has a herd of 150 goats and 100 sheep, and … Continue reading
At an experimental government farm in the western Amazon’s Rondonia state, researchers analyze grass seeds under microscopes, shake soil samples in test tubes, and measure the milk production of a new breed of cows. While high-profile police raids targeting illegal ranchers and loggers in the Amazon grab more headlines, these scientists may produce a more … Continue reading
Livestock researchers believe that rather than rid the world of livestock it’s preferable to find ways to farm animals more efficiently, profitably and sustainably, according to a new short film (see link below) prepared by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on livestock and climate change. Watch video. . . (Climate, Food and Developing Country … Continue reading
One of the main recommendations of the Science with Africa conference was to seek way of establishing a fund to promote science, technology and innovation. In order to meet this recommendation, the UNECA is launching the African Science, Technology and Innovation Endowment Fund (ASTIEF). The Fund is designed to stimulate research commercialization in public-private partnership … Continue reading
A team of researchers combine maps, satellite images and participatory mapping techniques to develop an accurate picture of land use among pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Read more … (ICT Update) Continue reading
Faced with difficult choices, a Maasai community in Tanzania was able to get an accurate picture of their land resources with the help of conservationists and GPS receivers. Read more … (ICT Update) Continue reading
ALLIANCE for Commodity and Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) has said Africa’s share in meat exports has continued to remain less than one per cent. According ACTESA manager for Livestock Programmes Abdiweli Mohamed, this is despite an increase in global demand for meat. “There is therefore need for African countries to put in … Continue reading
Speaking at the December 2009 CGIAR System-wide Livestock Programme meeting in Addis Ababa, Andre Van Rooyen (ICRISAT) explained the ‘innovation platform’ approach they use to engage with smallholder farmers in Southern Africa. “Our hypothesis is that farmers will only invest in improved technologies when they are part of an effective marketing system.” ‘Innovation platforms allow … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 