Sustainable breeding strategies for Red Maasai sheep in Kenya

Although environmentally-adapted strains of livestock, are essential to smallholder farmers, there has been a decline in the populations of such breeds, such the ‘hardy’ Red Massai sheep. A recent poster by scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) emphasizes that through the implementation of various breeding strategies it may be possible to safeguard this drought- and disease-resistant sheep breed, helping increase food security and productivity across southern Kenya Continue reading →

Improved dairy cattle for enhanced livelihoods and food and nutritional security in Senegal

According to scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) the ‘adoption of more profitable dairy cattle breeds type’ by farmers is a stepping stone towards developing nutritional security in Senegal. Continue reading →

Invitation to join an online discussion on cattle genomics in Africa, 16-26 August 2016

The use of genomics in Africa is in early stages, and further discussions are required on where and how genomics can best contribute to broader livestock productivity goals. From 16-26 August 2016, ILRI and CTLGH will organize a virtual forum on cattle genomics in Africa to take this agenda forward. Continue reading →

African Dairy Genetic Gains Program: Innovative private-public partnership for sustainable dairy productivity in Ethiopia and Tanzania

Leveraging private and public partners is key to increased productivity in the dairy sector, according to a poster by scientist from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)-led project African Dairy Genetic Gains. Continue reading →

Improving the productivity of small ruminants in Kenya’s climate-smart villages

Community breeding program, alongside strong community capacity development on animal husbandry, health and marketing of products key for improving productivity of goats and sheep among farmers, study finds. Continue reading →

Indigenous farm genetic resources of Somalia: Preliminary characterization of cattle, sheep and goats

This study was conducted in 2008 as a collaborative project between the International Livestock Research Institute and Terra Nuova with the main objective of evaluating the Somali breeds of livestock both phenotypically and genetically. Continue reading →

Comparison of different poultry breeds under station and on-farm conditions in Ethiopia

A selective breeding program was implemented to improve the performance of indigenous chickens in Ethiopia. Improved chicken from the 7th generation were compared with commercial layer, crossbred and unselected indigenous chickens both on-station and on-farm. Continue reading →

A strategic framework for transgenic research and product development in Africa

Since the first transgenic crop was released in in the world in 1994, cultivation of several varieties has grown rapidly to reach 175 million hectares, more than 10% of the world’s arable land, in 27 countries. Adoption and commercialization of transgenic products is growing by 3% per year in developed and developing countries. There is … Continue reading →

African trypanosomiasis resistance in cattle by a transgenic approach

This project proposes a new strategy for creating resistance in cattle to African trypanosomiasis, a major disease that affects agricultural production in broad regions of Africa. The long-term aim is to generate genetically modified cattle, which carry a gene that imparts resistance to African trypanosomes. Continue reading →

New study shows that waterbucks are an important source of tick-borne diseases of livestock

A recent study has found that wildlife are an important source of tick-borne diseases of livestock, with 70% of emerging pathogens originating from wildlife. The study found evidence of previously unknown parasite genotypes that may be infective to both small ruminants and equids (horses). Climate change could fuel the spread of such pathogens through the spread of their tick vector further impacting livestock production. Continue reading →

Study evidences continual waning of cattle genetic diversity in Western Kenya: Interview with Mary Ndila

For the last four years, Mary Ndila has been studying the population structure of indigenous cattle for her PhD project titled, ‘Genomics diversity of East African Shorthorn Zebu cattle of Western Kenya’, a joint program between ILRI and the University of Nottingham and funded by Wellcome Trust. In this article we find out whether breed … Continue reading →

Republic of Kenya Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) launched

The Kenyan ministries of livestock and development and public health and sanitation yesterday, 3 October 2012 officially launched the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) in Nairobi. ‘The ZDU is a One Health office in Kenya that was formed to address the gap that exists between animal and human health sectors in terms of prevention and control … Continue reading →

The (neglected) ties binding human and animal health

“Animal diseases make up 60 per cent of all human pathogens and have a significant impact on poverty. Yet for many years, the worst diseases were sorely neglected by the international community. Eric Fevre describes how this turned around, and what researchers are now doing to tackle it. ‘In the far west of rural Kenya, … Continue reading →

A Day in the Life of the PAZ Project: About the People, Animals and their Zoonoses Project

Western Kenya is a part of the world with high human and livestock population densities, representative more largely of the whole Lake Victoria Crescent ecosystem.  This is a rural area (around 95% of households depend on agriculture as their primary source of livelihoods) where farmers are mixed crop-livestock small-holders – families generally grow crops and … Continue reading →

Devoted to the farmer and their cow: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) visit to Biotech’s research project sites

The Dairy Genetics East Africa (DGEA) project’s success hinges on the participation of small holders dairy farmers and their willingness to share their knowledge and practices.  Selected project sites include Kaptumo, Siongiroi, Meteitei, Kabras, Butere/Khwisero in Kenya and Wakiso, Bushyenyi in Uganda.  On 27th of June, a field trip in the Kenyan sites to monitor … Continue reading →