‘Moves by the the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to put science, technology and innovation firmly at the centre of its aid efforts have been enthusiastically endorsed by a rousing speech from secretary of state Hillary Clinton, in which she described herself as “a friend of science”. ‘”Innovation, science [and] technology must again become … Continue reading
Category Archives: Regions
Freedom of movement to help pastoralist lifestyles in East Africa
Pastoralists across East Africa are set to benefit as the region’s national borders are relaxed amid joint efforts to mitigate the risks associated with their migration. “With the coming into effect [on 1 July] of the common market protocol, pastoralists like the Maasai, the Pokot and the Somali who do not believe in borders as … Continue reading
Africa / East Africa / Environment / ILRI / Pastoralism / Wildlife
Masai Mara has lost half its animals
The Maasai Mara has lost almost 60 per cent of its large animals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos, according to the United Nations Environmental Programme. A continent-wide study, released last week found big mammal populations inside national parks, including Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti to have declined by an average of 59 … Continue reading
Zambia formulates livestock development and animal health project
The proposed project will support the government in improving the productivity of key production systems, namely meat and milk from cattle and small ruminants, and poultry sector. It will specifically strengthen the veterinary services (public and private) to better control major animal diseases and improve food safety. It will also tackle other identified constraints by … Continue reading
Urgent action needed for pastoralists to cope with climate change
rgent action is needed to help pastoralists cope with the rising impacts of climate change including strategies by governments to facilitate safe passage across borders in the Horn and East Africa region. This is among the key recommendations of a new report launched today by the United Nations (UN) and partners, members of the Security … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / Disease Control / RVF / Vaccines
New vaccine strategies could safely control Rift Valley fever
Two new approaches could form the basis for the first-ever human vaccine for Rift Valley Fever (RVF), an infectious disease that threatens both farm animals and people, say researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research. Reported in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, experimental vaccines developed with these approaches produced strong immune responses in … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Production / Fish / Ghana / Livestock / West Africa
Tapping local ingenuity to raise fish and livestock
Fishers and livestock keepers in Ghana face numerous challenges. For fishers, a good harvest can mean abundant fish but low prices. And the country’s small-scale chicken farmers often lose their flocks to disease. But in Cape Coast, the capital of the Central Region, two farmers’ groups are helping members find innovative ways to add value … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / Disease Control / East Africa / Livestock / Uganda / Vaccines
Uganda to manufacture poultry and animal drugs
Kampala — Uganda is set to start manufacturing poultry and animal drugs. This was announced at the commissioning of the construction of the veterinary pharmaceutical plant in Namanve last Thursday. The plant, which is estimated to cost $15m (about sh600m) will be carried out in three phases. Dr. Stephen Birungi, the managing director Farm Support … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / Disease Control / East Africa / Kenya / Livestock / Vaccines
Kenya government to strengthen livestock vaccine production
The Government’s quest to tap into the multi-million livestock disease vaccine market has moved a notch higher following the inauguration of a new board of directors to steer the Kenya veterinary vaccines production unit-(Kevevapi). Read more … (The Standard) Continue reading
Orphan crop prices in East and Southern Africa rise in tandem with staple food prices
Food price crisis in Eastern and Southern Africa: This study was conducted by a team of researchers from national, regional and international organizations based in Eastern Southern Africa under the leadership of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA). The team activities were coordinated by Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 