The value of knowledge in rural development – ‘I also have a right to decide.’

Increasing the productivity of small-scale production systems to make animal-source foods more readily available to poor consumers is a complex issue which requires a multi-faceted approach. With this concept in mind, scientists are working alongside territorial alliances to generate knowledge and initiatives to improve resource management through research. An example of this initiative, called the Learning Alliance. Continue reading →

New project to examine potential farm to landscape impact and adoption of forage technologies in Tanzania

The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has just approved a small grant to the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) for a project entitled the ‘potential farm to landscape impact and adoption of forage technologies in smallholder dairy production systems in Tanzania.’ Continue reading →

Researchers and partners critique framework to assess environmental impacts of livestock

For the past year, researchers from the International Livestock Research Institute, other research institutes and national partners have been working on a framework to carry out a ‘Comprehensive Livestock Environment Assessment for Improved Nutrition, a Secured Environment and Sustainable Development along Livestock Value Chains.’ On 30 and 31 October, the project team met in Kenya to review progress and the state of the framework. Continue reading →

Aquculture – Minimizing environmental impacts, encouraging sustainable growth

The world’s appetite for fish is steadily growing. Finfish and shellfish currently make up one-sixth of the animal protein people consume globally. Aquaculture—or fish farming—has grown rapidly to meet world fish demand, more than doubling production between 2000 and 2012. New research shows that aquaculture production will need to more than double again between now and 2050 to meet the demands of a growing population. Continue reading →

Webinar – improving the productivity and environmental performance of aquaculture

On World Environment Day (June 5), join a webinar when the World Resources Institute (WRI), WorldFish, the World Bank, INRA, and Kasetsart University will release the newest installment of the 2013–14 World Resources Report: Creating a Sustainable Food Future, “Improving Productivity and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture.” Continue reading →

Exploring the sustainability of Vietnamese pig value chains: Food safety comes first

The REVALTER project is working livestock development Pathways in Vietnam. In an effort to create sustainability typologies of the local pig farms, Jo Cadilhon and colleagues asked different stakeholders what sustainability means to them. The responses indicate that the sustainability of pig value chains is predominantly linked to food safety. Economic considerations come second; the environmental aspect only comes third. Continue reading →

Towards a comprehensive livestock environment assessment framework – East Africa consultation

Following the rapid increasing demand for animal source foods propelling livestock production, particularly in many less developed countries where the pressure on natural resources is mounting, the need for a pragmatic tool to assess environmental impacts is greater than ever. Earlier this year the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded an 18-month project called … Continue reading →

Balancing livestock roles: Key actions to improve livestock systems

This article in the journal Animal reviews the positive and negative roles of livestock in the developing world. Authored by several ILRI staff, the paper also discusses ‘key factors that are likely to determine the future contribution of the sector to food security, environmental protection and economic growth.’ It proposes actions for improving different aspects … Continue reading →