New analyses highlight the extent of livestock production in Africa’s drylands

Posted on 6 Sep 2014 by Susan MacMillan • 1 Comment

Typical long-horned goats of Abergelle Amhara, Ethiopia (photo credit: ILRI/Zerihun Sewunet). ‘Quantitative information on the importance of livestock systems in African drylands is scarce. A new study by Tim Robinson, of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and Giulia Conchedda, of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), helps to redress this. The study … Continue reading →

African drylands: Livestock demand and supply

Posted on 3 Sep 2014 by Susan MacMillan • Leave a comment

ILRI’s Tim Robinson maps the changing demand for livestock products and associated changes in production that will be required to meet future demand in African drylands. Continue reading →

Burkina Faso / Chad / Mali / Niger / Senegal

It can be done: Perfecting the art of survival in the Sahel

Posted on 31 Oct 2013 by Susan MacMillan • Leave a comment

Fishermen and Sahelian goats by the Niger River, in Segou, Mali (photo credit: ILRI/Stevie Mann). ‘The Sahel region, a vast arid stretch of land linking six countries in West Africa—Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal—is home to some of the most productive pastoralist communities in the world. And yet, assailed by a host … Continue reading →

Burkina Faso / Chad / Drought / Drylands / Food Security / Mali / Niger / Pastoralism / Senegal / Vulnerability / West Africa

Oxfam on the West African food crisis that is building

Posted on 30 Mar 2012 by Susan MacMillan • 1 Comment

Goats are rounded up for a vaccination program run by Oxfam in Saraf, Guera Province, Chad (picture credit: Andy Hall/Oxfam, 9 Feb 2012). In 2012, countries across the Sahel are once again facing a serious food crisis as the rains have failed to come. This ecologically fragile region is becoming even more vulnerable as grazing areas … Continue reading →

Drought / Drylands / East Africa / Food Security / Mali / Niger / Opinion piece / Pastoralism / Vulnerability / West Africa

Flawed global food systems–not drought–cause of African famines

Posted on 30 Jan 2012 by Susan MacMillan • Leave a comment

Foods of Khulungira Village, in central Malawi (clockwise from top left): nsima (maize meal porridge), kachewere wophika (boiled potatoes), nkhuku yophika (chicken stew), nkhwani ndi phwetekere (pumpkin leaves with tomato), kachewere wokazinga (fried potatoes), and kholowa ndi phwetekere (sweetpotato leaves with tomato) (photo credit: CGIAR/Stevie Mann). All names in Chichewa, Malawi’s national language; translations by Christopher … Continue reading →

Africa / Animal Production / Animal Products / Asia / Biodiversity / India / Indigenous Breeds / Latin America / Livestock / Markets / Somalia / South Africa

Marketing local breeds to improve livestock diversity and livelihoods

Posted on 24 Sep 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • 3 Comments

Throughout the world and over centuries, small-scale livestock keepers and pastoralists have developed animal breeds that are well suited to their local conditions. These breeds are hardy and disease-resistant; they can survive on little water and scant vegetation. They can continue producing meat and milk in areas where modern, imported breeds succumb without expensive housing, … Continue reading →