In October 2024, scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) facilitated a training workshop in Accra, Ghana on the use of the Interface for Marek’s Disease Economic Impact and Trade-off (i-MaDE-IT) tool, a farm-level decision-support tool for managing Marek’s disease in poultry. The i-MaDE-IT tool was designed to provide extension officers with a platform to support farmers with their
Researchers from the J. Craig Venter Institute, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have developed a reverse genetics system for the African swine fever virus. This new system will aid researchers in developing vaccines and in studying the pathogenesis and biology of African swine fever, a highly contagious, deadly viral disease affecting domesticated and wild pigs, especially
A One Health approach, coupled with community education and improved disease surveillance, can help to prevent future outbreaks of wild animal diseases in Southeast Asia, according to a recent research study published in Veterinary Quarterly (Mar 2025). The authors of the study reviewed a decade of published literature on wildlife zoonoses in Southeast Asia, a known hotspot for the emergence
Innovative wastewater management, an often-overlooked aspect of public and environmental health, could reduce pollution, prevent disease outbreaks and contribute to socio-economic development in Africa. This was stressed during a stakeholder workshop held on 26–27 February 2025 to discuss strengthening the capacity for sustainable wastewater surveillance and improvement of wastewater management across the continent. The workshop, held at the International Livestock Research
Livestock is a key sector in Uganda, contributing approximately 4.3% of the country’s gross domestic product. Nearly 60% of households depend on livestock for their livelihoods, with women and youth playing crucial roles in livestock production. However, restrictive social and gender norms limit their ability to fully benefit from business and economic opportunities in the sector. To address barriers in
New research highlighted in CABI Reviews suggests that all five subregions of Africa will breach the 1.5°C climate change threshold—the limit stipulated by the Paris Agreement—by 2040 even under low emission scenarios. A team of scientists from the University of Zimbabwe, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kenya, and the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) conducted a
African livestock producers have a unique opportunity to improve the production of meat, milk and eggs through modern breeding technologies and innovations being tested in Africa, according to a recent perspective paper published in Nature Genetics. With the right support, these advancements can enhance not only productivity but also climate resilience and sustainability. Through strategic investment and collaboration, African livestock
Driving innovation in the Ethiopian agriculture sector is critical if we are to ensure improved food security and livelihoods of farmers in the country. As part of this, solutions need to be developed that are context specific and co-designed by those who are using them. This has been a gap within the research for development framework. The Ukama Ustawi Share