Using a value chain approach to focus animal genetic interventions

Using a value chain analysis framework, the Livestock and Fish CGIAR Research Program piloted integrated genetic interventions to catalyse the transformation of milk, meat and fish production in selected developing countries. This brief presents some outcomes and lessons from applying a value chain approach to dairy production in three East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and fish production in Egypt. Continue reading →

Customizing capacity development interventions for integrating gender in small ruminant value chains in Ethiopia

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and The International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) have been organizing a tailor made gender capacity development intervention for the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish research and development partners in Ethiopia. Continue reading →

Delivering animal breeding programs in developing countries: Some lessons from the Livestock and Fish program

Implementing sustainable livestock and fish breeding programs requires careful consideration of the species in question, their specific biological constraints, the production environment and the trait preferences of farmers, as well as a careful selection and use of innovative technology. Successful breeding programs rely on livestock keepers as co-owners of breeding programs as such programs are meant for them and they benefit from their full participation. Continue reading →

Maziwa Zaidi Program reflects on its annual progress and outlines way forward

The Maziwa Zaidi (MZ) program held a critical reflection workshop in November 2016 to analyse progress made against expected outcomes in its Theory of Change (ToC) over the last 12 months. Continue reading →

Gender in the farmed fish value chain of Bangladesh: A review of the evidence and development approaches

This brief focuses on gender relations in fish farming and value chains in Bangladesh, i.e. the roles women and men play in diverse aquaculture production systems and other value chain nodes, their relative access to and control over resources, intra-household decision-making, and social and gender norms and attitudes. Continue reading →

Value chain transformation: Taking stock of WorldFish research on value chains and markets

This paper documents learning across WorldFish’s value chain research efforts in Asia and Africa. It has three main objectives: (1) to take stock of WorldFish’s past and ongoing research on value chains; (2) to draw out commonalities and differences between these projects; and (3) to provide a synthesis of some learning that can guide future work. Continue reading →

Balancing research and development: Livestock and fish research and value chain insights from Tropentag workshop

On 19 September 2016, the CGIAR Livestock and Fish Research Program hosted a side workshop at the 2016 Tropentag conference. It brought together partners from across the Program to examine the approach it uses to accelerate agricultural research for development. This post reports on some of the discussions that took place. The session began with an introduction to the Program by Tom Randolph. Then, participants formed groups and interrogated scientists from across the Program. The session ended with a plenary synthesis on what these experiences mean for future research of this type. Continue reading →

Ethiopian small ruminant keepers trained in ‘smart’ collective marketing

Over 400 farmers from the Menz area of North Shewa Zone in Amhara, Ethiopia attended a training on collective marketing to create a common understanding among farmers of what marketing groups are, why farmers need them, how they are formed and managed, and how such groups can be employed in small ruminant marketing. Continue reading →

Partnerships pay off for Uganda value chain project

The value chain work of the CGIAR Livestock and Fish Research Program relies on partnerships – with governments, national research, civil society and the private sector – to achieve its aims. In its Uganda smallholder value chain, the Program could not have achieved most of its objectives without the support that partnerships offer. This has been in the form of technical and financial support, human resources, infrastructure and knowledge sharing. Continue reading →

WorldFish breeding program produces 15th generation of improved GIFT tilapia

At WorldFish, the long-running selective breeding program for the Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain is fundamental to it efforts to improve livelihoods and food security in Asia, the Pacific and Africa by improving aquaculture and fisheries. In 2016, WorldFish continued this vital GIFT breeding work, funded by the European Union, highlighted by the development of the 15^th generation of GIFT and the first-ever distribution of GIFT fry to Myanmar.
Continue reading →