News Archive

AgHealth blog

New study examines effectiveness of grassroots dog vaccination campaigns against rabies in Kenya

World Zoonoses Day is commemorated on 6 July every year to mark the day in 1885 when Louis Pasteur successfully administered the first vaccine against rabies, a deadly zoonotic disease. The day is also an occasion to raise awareness of the risk of zoonoses, infectious diseases that can be spread...

AVCD program blog

Using the SourceTrace digital platform to support farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic

sourcetrace.com Update from the drought-tolerant crops component of the AVCD program Despite minimal field visits during this period of the COVID-19-related restrictions, the Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) program staff and management are working with extension officers and lead farmers...

AVCD program blog

Private sector embedded extension model sustains field activities during COVID-19 pandemic

Measuring weight of animal to determine appropriate dosage for ECF vaccine and dewormer in Muhoroni subcounty, Kisumu County, Kenya (photo credit: AVCD Dairy). Update from the dairy component of the AVCD program In the last three months (April- June), the dairy component of the Accelerated Value...

AgHealth blog

New study sheds light on early intensification of smallholder backyard poultry farming systems

Poultry production is an important contributor to the livelihoods of rural populations, especially in low- and middle-income countries. As poultry production in these countries remains dominated by backyard systems with low inputs and low outputs, considerable yield gaps exist. Intensification of...

AVCD program blog

Using virtual communication tools to support northern Kenya partners during the COVID-19 pandemic

An aerial view of the Oldonyiro Livestock Market in Isiolo County (photo credit: USAID/Mwangi Kirubi). Update from the livestock component of the AVCD program Over the last three months (April – June), the livestock value chain (LVC) team of the Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) program...

AgHealth blog

Making livestock vaccination campaigns work for farmers in East Africa

A gender-inclusive approach to community livestock vaccination can help address the different barriers faced by men and women farmers and may increase the uptake of livestock vaccines Scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute ( ILRI ) recently published a study  on the uptake of...

AVCD program blog

Keeping safe while staying food secure in Kenya

Shadrack Juma, ward agricultural officer in Werugha Ward, Taita Taveta County, demonstrating how to do proper (second) hilling to host farmer and community health volunteers. Notice the use of masks and social distancing (photo credit: AVCD). Update from the potato component of the AVCD program In...

AgHealth blog

Two ILRI-affiliated postdoctoral scientists receive Soulsby Fellowships for One Health research

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has focused global attention on the interconnectedness of people, animals and the environment and how this links to the spread of zoonotic diseases, two postdoctoral scientists affiliated with the International Livestock Research Institute ( ILRI ) are among five...

AgHealth blog

ILRI teams up with research partners to launch CGIAR COVID-19 Hub

As the impacts of COVID-19 spread across the globe, the virus threatens more than health systems worldwide. It also poses serious risks to food security, local businesses, national economies and hard-fought progress by stakeholders at all levels towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The global...

Policies, institutions and livelihoods

Using theory of change for outcome-oriented research

Research plays a key role in identifying challenges and 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. Summary of Maziwa Zaidi...

ILRI Asia blog

Food safety evidences and interventions from Cambodia’s Safe Food, Fair Food to reduce risks from animal-source foods

Animal-source foods (ASF) are an important part of Cambodia’s cuisine, especially pork, fish, and poultry. Most livestock products are produced by smallholders, many of them women, and sold in traditional, so-called ‘wet’ markets where women also predominate as retailers. Unfortunately, food safety...

AgHealth blog

Food safety: How can consumers make a difference?

African food systems are dominated by informal markets, typically open-air markets found at designated sites and street corners, which often have poor hygiene and are subject to limited or poor regulation. Occasionally there are calls for these informal markets to be banned, but most consumers...