Using revised counselling cards with culturally appropriate messages and images targeting the pregnant and lactating women with children under five years of age, fathers and caregivers, has led to positive behaviour changes at home. Continue reading
A Research Topic in Frontiers has started to facilitate research and stimulate discussion on access to affordable and quality inputs and services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Continue reading
New research that is unpacking gender dynamics within seed systems development has just started to emerge. This includes a portfolio of projects initiated and funded by the CGIAR Collaborative Platform for Gender Research. A new synthesis brief summarizes this early work and provides an outlook for future research to mainstream gender analysis in seed systems development. Continue reading
During a first meeting to launch The Gambia’s Livestock Master Plan, Karl Rich, principal scientist in the Policies, Institutions, and Livelihoods Program of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and Njie Mamud, program director of SRPEP, both pointed to an increasing demand for animal-source foods (milk, meat and eggs) locally and internationally that The Gambia was as yet unable to supply due to challenges in the country’s livestock production and feed systems, fragmentation of its livestock value chains and poor infrastructure. Rich argued that by working with many diverse stakeholders to implement its new livestock master plan, The Gambia will be able to help its smallholder farmers transform their largely subsistence livestock systems into a profitable and thriving livestock sector. Continue reading
The Indian state of Odisha has officially rolled-out the process of designing a ‘livestock master plan’ (LMP) with the support of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The Odisha LMP is expected to attract substantial and better targeted livestock sector investments from finance ministries, development partners, and private sector investors. Continue reading
The livestock master plan process supports countries to develop a livestock sector strategy and livestock commodity specific roadmaps using a set of analytical tools. The livestock master plan is then incorporated in national agriculture investment plans. Continue reading
Research plays a key role in identifying challenges as well as opportunities that can be used to spur development in the livestock sector. Therefore, in conducting research one of the core objectives is to ensure it makes significant contribution towards improving livelihoods.
Given that there are many priorities competing for stakeholder attention and scarce resources, research should not only help generate and promote strategies, but also demonstrate how they contribute to sustainable livestock development. Continue reading
This initiative builds on a renewed interest in promoting agricultural production and food security through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which seeks to fight poverty, end hunger and spur economic growth around the agriculture sector. Being able to understand and effect the policy changes required in the agriculture sector especially through evidence-based policy research interventions, is crucial. The CAADP therefore recognizes and emphasizes the need to strengthen capabilities, as well as the policy and institutional environments required to trigger agricultural transformation. Continue reading
ILRI scientists have developed a framework that highlights the key gender considerations in livestock genetic improvement programs in low- and middle-income countries. Continue reading
In marking this year’s open access week at ILRI, here are a few highlights of some of the recent open access research outputs and open access data sets from the PIL Program. Continue reading
ILRI policies, instititions and livelihoods program 