A study published in the April 2023 issue of Current Developments in Nutrition has put forth new empirical evidence on the effect of COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in behaviour and government restrictions in Kenya on dairy supply chains and urban and peri-urban household food access. The study focused on milk sold in informal markets and examined changes in milk sales, consumption
In the face of climate and economic uncertainty, reframing the narrative to better include pastoralism in development policy is paramount for creating sustainable and equitable food systems. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this was core to the conversation as policymakers, public officials, pastoralist representatives, experts and researchers convened for a three-day workshop in March 2023. Their mission was to explore how
In Saptari, Nepal, one family’s greatest challenges in keeping buffalo are low market prices and mastitis, an infection in the udder that reduces milk yield. Down the road is the only dairy cooperative in the area. Serving 620 farmers, this cooperative buys and sells milk but cannot provide adequate health and feed services to farmers. Saptari is one of the
A new study on antimicrobial use in poultry farms in Senegal has analysed the effects of vaccination, attitudes towards antimicrobial resistance, and biosecurity practices on antimicrobial use, animal mortality and farm productivity. Antimicrobial resistance is a rising threat to global human health and is driven in large part by the use of antimicrobials in livestock production. Reducing the use of
On 18 October 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) held an event titled FAO and WUR transformative partnership–communication and harnessing science effectively as part of the FAO science and innovation forum. The event brought together a variety of experts to discuss how science communication can be improved to help
Scientists in the Sustainable Livestock Systems program at the International Livestock Research Institute are conducting research to inform the design of gender-responsive and transformative approaches in pastoral systems and drylands contexts.
The growth of digital technology and digital tools in agriculture in the past decade has been phenomenal. This technology growth is playing an increasingly important role in agricultural research for development. However, such technologies and tools often classify small farm holders as similar entities. In addition, in low- and middle-income countries, core agriculture actors, such as women and minority communities
Julie Ojango, senior scientist in the Livestock Genetics program at the International Livestock Research Institute, specifically addressing sustainable utilization and management of animal genetic resources, leads projects in small ruminant and cattle breeding that use digital tools that enable better integration of gender into genetics research in the global south. She believes that livestock improvement programs must improve the livelihoods of