The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) supports better lives through livestock in developing countries. ILRI is a
@CGIAR
centre.
#OneCGIAR
Join us in congratulating and welcoming Professor Appolinaire Djikeng as ILRIβs new director general &
@CGIAR
senior director of livestock systems!
Prof Djikeng is ILRIβs first African director and will take on his new role in April.
Read the π’ at
On the
#EATLancet
report, Ethiopia responds: βThe truth is that livestock are an essential, often irreplaceable source of nutrition and income for hundreds of millions of people, the majority of whom live in Africa and South Asiaβ
#WhyLivestockMatter
2/2
1/5 Here's the first of our 5 key messages on livestock, environment & climate change!
And a question to kick things off. How is the anti-meat narrative affecting livestock keepers in the Global South?
#LetsTalkLivestock
#OneHealth
tells us healthy livestock can protect us from future pandemics & help adapt to climate change.
However, this requires investment. Over the next weeks, we will set out 18 ways in which investment in livestock will help build societal resilience.
#onlyONEhealth
On 11 November 2022, 9-4pm EAT, ILRI will host a day-long Twitter chat on the role that sustainable livestock can play in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Join us!
Simply tweet questions
@ILRI
using the hashtag
#LetsTalkLivestock
for our livestock experts to answer.
1/ When we talk
#FoodSystems
@COP27P
, we need to address the cow in the room.
Why?
Because livestock ππππ are a climate and resilience solution for hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers.
#LetsTalkLivestock
to accelerate climate action for people and the planet π€π
Livestock foods are difficult to replace with π±-based meals because the nutrients they provide are more efficiently absorbed by the body.
@FoodSystems
must ensure people in poor households have access to animal-sourced foods.
#whylivestockmatter
To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023, the capacity development unit at ILRI invited girls from Precious Blood Girls High School, Riruta to meet ILRI
#WomeninScience
from management, senior scientists, research officer and associates.
#WomeninSTEM
A group of scientists led by ILRI alum and renowned vaccinologist
@PeterHotez
have created a new
#COVID19
vaccine that could help combat vaccine inequality across
#Africa
.
Learn more from Dr. Hotezβs recent conversation with ILRI scientist
@ericfevre
:
Amid the often-distressing news about climate change, some good news: Existing strategies could mitigate livestock methane emissions by enough to help the sector limit its share of global warming to the 1.5Β°C target by 2030.
Jimmy Smith, director general of ILRI, reaches the end of his tenure as 2023 begins. Jimmy has presided over huge successes for sustainable livestock research and has been a much respected - and appreciated - leader for 11 years. His last interview:
#EATLancet
PLANETARY DIET, launched in Addis yesterday, recommends we consume fewer animal-source foods. Does that work for 100+ million Ethiopians? Read what Ethiopia's state minister for agriculture has to say about it.
#WhyLivestockMatter
#Livestock4Dev
Brucellosis is the 2nd most frequently reported endemic zoonotic disease to
@WOAH_Global
.
A 3-year ILRI-led project is investigating the hidden spread and burden of this neglected zoonotic disease.
Find the latest studies and updates here:
Cattle don't need to drink 15,000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of beef. This figure is largely based on the amount of rainwater used by plants to grow.
πExciting times ahead as Professor Appolinaire Djikeng takes on new role as ILRIβs director general and
@CGIAR
senior director for livestock systems.
He joins us from
@roslininstitute
where he leads innovative genetics program
@ctlgh_info
.
π’β‘οΈ
'Genomic time travel' -
@ILRI
scientists retrace the genetic journey that has made African
#cattle
so diverse and adaptable today, saved millions of people from hunger and malnutrition, and shielded wildlife from overhunting:
@NatureGenet
Watch the trailer below for our short film describing how three pastoralist women from around the world are restoring rangelands to improve livelihoods, and to benefit the greater society and the environment.
Full film at:
Delegates and activists at
#COP27
must remember that food security and emission reductions are vital for humanityβs long-term well-being. Villainizing livestock will achieve neither.
#LetsTalkLivestock
#COP27
@CGIAR
#OneCGIAR
#COP27
puts
#foodsystems
at the heart of climate discussions.
But we canβt tackle climate change by marginalising livestock and livestock keepers.
#LetsTalkLivestock
to learn how livestock is a climate solution for +1.7 billion people in the Global Southπ
Join our
#OneHealth
webinar over 19-20 January, 15.30 EAT as we explore how to strengthen preparation and response to veterinary and zoonotic diseases in Africa, with a particular focus on identifying gaps and sharing of lessons learned.
Find details & meeting codes below π
Jimmy W. Smith, the director general of ILRI, is to retire at the end of 2022, after 11 years. Known for his expression βwhere you stand on the issues very much depends on where you sit,β he has been a champion for sustainable livestock worldwide.
2/5 Along with the second of our key livestock, environment and climate change messages, a second question...
Why don't we have better climate data for the Global South - and how would having it make a difference?
#LetsTalkLivestock
We are proud to announce the
#OneHealth
Centre in Africa (OHRECA) at
@ILRI
, Kenya, was opened on 22 October 2020. Funded by
@BMZ_Bund
, the Centre will enhance the health of people, animals and their shared environment in the continent.
Read more:
Remembering Michael BlΓΌmmel.
'We will miss Michael not only for his scientific contributions but for the calm and caring human being he wasβ, said ILRI director general Jimmy Smith.
3/5 Our 3rd key message for livestock, environment and climate change.
Q.3 How can we prevent livestock farming in the Global South from becoming as intensive as in the Global North? And should we?
#LetsTalkLivestock
Today is
#OneHealthDay
.
#OneHealth
recognises we need to optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystem. ILRI is using this approach to build healthy, sustainable and resilient livestock systems in developing countries.
Explore our work at:
Reaching Kenya's 400,000 small-scale dairy farmers to physically provide information would require a huge investment of resources. But one thing most farmers do have is a mobile phone, through which
@ILRI
and
@iCow_ke
are providing fast livestock advice.
Livestock are an important asset for many households to cope with climate shocks. We need to equip small-scale farmers with the necessary knowledge and technology to help them adapt to the changing environment.
@FoodSystems
@COP26
Velma Kivali, winner of the βWomen in Livestock Researchβ category of the 2021
@ILRI
#CapDev
Grand Challenge she talks about the challenge, lessons learned, and her special message to women researchers.
#Scientists
have developed a new molecular tool for faster and cheaper
#genomic
-based surveillance of the Rift Valley fever virus. allowing for real-time monitoring, faster response to outbreaks, & prevention of epidemics. Learn more:
#Bioinformatics
#ILRI
ILRIβs paper was meant as a reminder that there are many opportunities for livestock to be part of a sustainable, broad-based and environmentally friendly agricultural sector.
#Whylivestockmatter
What can be done to achieve full access and equality in science for girls and women in low-to middle-income countries?
Here's what some of our women scientists think. What about you?
#IDWGS2023
#WomenInScience
#LetsTalkLivestock
Transport generates 14% GHG direct emissions, compared to 5% by livestock. No life cycle emissions statistic exists for transport, whereas it is calculated as 14.5% for livestock. But the two categories of emissions are often combined.
On 18 Jan 2021
@ILRI
opened a new office in Kathmandu,
#Nepal
. The new office, hosted by
@irri
, will strengthen partnerships in South Asia and provide science-based evidence for
#livestock
practices.
Read more:
πππ¬Scientists led by
@ILRI
and
@Roslininstitute
were featured in the
@TheEconomist
for the serendipitous discovery of a gene that could make African cattle more resistant to East Coast Fever.
#Pastoralism
is a sustainable food system!
A new short film supports the call for an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
@IYRP2026
. Watch the 6-minute version at:
@WWF
@PASTRES_erc
1/4 On 20 February 2023
@FAODG
Dr QU Dongyu and the Hon
@mithika_Linturi
, Cabinet Secretary for
@kilimoKE
, visited ILRI to exchange ideas on the collective action by the
@FAO
and
@ILRI
in supporting the Government of Kenya to implement Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
The
@ILRI
-led One Health Center for Africa
#OHRECA
was established to enhance the health of people, animals and their shared environment in the continent. Share and follow
@ohreca_ilri
for the latest news and research on
#OneHealth
Jimmy Smith,
@UofMaryland
& former DG of
@ILRI
, will give the keynote presentation at
@FAO
βs first 'Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation: Better Production, Nutrition, Environments & Lives' this morning, Mon 25 Sept, in Rome.
πCongratulations Delia Grace of
@ILRI
@NRInstitute
for receiving the Arrell Global Food Research Award in the area of Research Impact for your work on
#FoodSystems
and
#PublicHealth
in developing countries!
On 11 November 2022, 9-4pm EAT, ILRI will host a day-long Twitter chat on the role that sustainable livestock can play in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Join us!
Simply tweet questions
@ILRI
using the hashtag
#LetsTalkLivestock
for our livestock experts to answer.
People's lives & livelihoods benefit from investments in
#livestock
health &
#welfare
, leading to more income, food security, less AMR & smaller environmental impact
Read our
#animalwelfare
&
#OneHealth
brief, supporting
#UNFSS
AT 4 equitable livelihoods:
Did you know that you would have to eat 9 x times more spinach than a piece of liver to get the same amount of iron?
Meat delivers iron which is absorbed at twice the rate of π±-based foods.
#whylivestockmatter
@FoodSystems
2.7 million deaths are caused by zoonoses every year and land use may be the biggest contributor to increasing cases of zoonotic disease. Join
@ILRI
at
#GLFBiodiversity
to learn how
#OneHealth
can help build sustainable landscapes to prevent global crises:
#OHRECA
is thrilled to co-host the βMy Turnβ Uganda AMR Symposium with
@ReActAfrica_RAN
and
@beat_the_bugs
on 3-4 March 2023. Students will showcase their antibiotic resistance (
#AMR
) work and engage with stakeholders.
#Pastoralism
is a sustainable food system: this is the message of a new short film by
@ILRI
and partners to support the call for an International Year of
#Rangelands
and Pastoralists
@IYRP2026
.
Watch the complete 6 minute version at:
Livestock health problems are directly linked to rangeland health.
A One Health approach helps safeguard the nutritional security, health & income of pastoralists by fostering healthier & productive rangelands to produce healthier livestock & livestock products.
#onlyONEhealth
Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. At
@ILRI
, as we celebrate our women in science today, we ask what can be done to achieve full access and equality in science for women in low- to middle- income countries?
@WomenScienceDay
#EqualityInScience
@CGIAR
Restoring rangeland, selling affordable livestock feed, and building back grassland biodiversity. Charity Lanoi, Kenyan dryland advocate &
@MaasaiWild
coordinator, is building a better land, supported by
@ILRI
,
@GlobalLF
&
@YIL_Initiative
Read more:
New
#GBADs
program with
@ILRI
,
@LivUni
,
@OIEAnimalHealth
& partners will identify which communities are most burdened by livestock disease.
"The GBADs program is crucial in building a world with zero hunger, good health and equality for all."
Read more:
All over the world, pastoralists derive their primary livelihood on rangelands that cover ~54% of the worldβs land surface, most of which cannot sustain agricultural crops. They heavily bolster countriesβ economies. What do young pastoralists have to say?
MUST READ for
#COP26
In the developing world, livestock create far more good than harm. COP26 is a rare opportunity to protect Africaβs livestock and the millions who rely on it, says
@EricksenPolly
, leader of Sustainable Livestock Systems
@ILRI
.
1/ Fact
#1
: Millions of livestock herders produce more than half of Africaβs meat and milk supply.
Fact
#2
: Growing
#HeatStress
from rising temperatures and humidity are putting their livelihoods at risk.
#LetsTalkLivestock
adaptation solutions
@COP27P
Tune into this special episode of
@BomaPodcast
where
@ILRI
MSc fellow, CapDev Challenge winner, & podcaster of
@TVScientistPod
, Sarah Nyakeri, talks about vulnerability in science, failures, and what she hopes to achieve with her
#podcast
.
#WomenInSTEM
βAfrica is only getting a few crumbs of the vaccines and no vaccines are being made on the African continent.'
@PeterHotez
, pediatrician and international vaccine advocate, discusses the harsh global inequalities in the
#COVID19
vaccine rollout:
Hon.
@jmueke
visiting ILRI says that job creation is a central task for the government. How livestock can create jobs and stimulate the economy is a high priority, especially when it comes to bringing the poorest people into the sector and commercializing it.
1/10 π‘π We've set out so far 9 practical actions that governments, investors, policymakers & One Health experts can invest in for better health.
But, we also need to invest in livestock-based interventions that support the One Health agenda more broadly.
#onlyONEhealth
Siboniso Moyo,
@ILRI
deputy DG R&D Biosciences, opens
#IWD2024
celebrations at the Nairobi campus, attended by all staff and
@CGIAR
visitors.
βILRI stands proudly at the forefront of gender research.β
π₯Happy
#WorldMilkDay
! π
In
#Kenya
, informal milk markets are vital for affordable milk, but face quality concern challenges. The MoreMilk project is changing the game by training vendors in safety & business skills.
Positive impacts already seen! β‘οΈ
Following its launch yesterday, download the book 'Food systems transformation in Kenya: Lessons from the past and policy options for the future' for free at
Zoonoses continue to have significant consequences for health and livelihoods across
#Africa
. By focusing on animal health and safety, we can break the chain of transmission and reduce the devastating cost of zoonotic disease control.
#WorldZoonosesDay
Great consulting opportunity!
Help
@ILRI
design a framework to transform its approaches & define its future areas of research & innovation, creating a R4D institute that conducts research with 'the end in mind'.
Deadline is 20 Sep 2019.
@CGIAR
A big day at
@ILRI
as DG
@ADjikeng
welcomes high-level Kenyan guests, including Hon.
@jmueke
, Principal Secretary for Livestock Development; Hon.
@harsama_kello
, Principal Secretary for Crop Development; Hon.
@PSMuseiya
, Principal Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage; andβ¦
Why are animal-source foods so important for the health of the world's poorest?
Listen to our episode of The Boma podcast featuring Lora Iannotti, an expert in child and maternal nutrition:
Dogs can carry worms which can contaminate the environment and make people and farm animals unwell. Children are often at highest risk!
@OHRECA_ILRI
lists 5 top tips to protect your dog and your health:
1. Don't let your dog roam freely where it may scavenge on raw meat.
We all agree that
#foodsupply
chains are very connected between producers and consumers, particularly in the
#developingworld
, says
@ILRI_JimmySmith
, now speaking at the
@UN_CFS
event. Failure to manage them in this interconnected way exposes them to certain risks.
1/ Yes, we need to adjust our
#FoodSystems
to make them more equitable, productive and planet friendly. π
But consuming less animal-source food is not a solution for everyone, especially those with low nutritional security.
#LetsTalkLivestock
@cop27P
For millions of families in low-income countries, keeping livestock provides multiple benefits. We call for better recognition and nuanced discussion.
Find resources for livestock champions at the
#WhyLivestockMatter
website:
How did
#cattle
come to thrive across the African continent?
@ILRI
and SNU researchers retrace their journey back to an 'evolutionary jolt' 1000 years ago. Their findings could help develop more productive, sustainable
#livestock
in the future: