Collaboration towards achieving Agenda 2030: FAO Director General Qu Dongyu and Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi visit ILRI’s Nairobi campus 

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Director General, Qu Dongyu, and Hon Mithika Linturi, cabinet secretary for the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, visited the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)’s Nairobi campus on 20 February 2023. They came as part of a recent visit by Qu Dongyu to Kenya to discuss the United Nation’s continued partnership with the Republic of Kenya in enhancing food and nutrition security. The two dignitaries came together at ILRI to preview collaborations and synergies between the FAO and ILRI, primarily to support the Government of Kenya in implementing Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Carla Mucavi, FAO Representative to Kenya, accompanied the visit. Greeting them at ILRI was interim Director General Shirley Tarawali and designate Director General Appolinaire Djikeng. In addition, numerous dignitaries from all three parties accompanied the visit.  

ILRI is a One CGIAR research centre and is the only centre dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. ILRI’s mission is to improve food and nutritional security and to reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock – ensuring better lives through livestock. The Nairobi campus includes high-end biotechnology laboratories and the Mazingira (Swahili for ‘environment’) Centre, acting as a nucleus for environmental research and education in Africa. ILRI’s campus also hosts teams from other CGIAR centres, including the International Potato Centre (CIP), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).  

Tarawali’s opening presentation emphasised the congruence between the agendas of ILRI, the FAO and the Government of Kenya, noting that there is a ‘huge lot of collaboration going on especially in Kenya.’ This is most prominently seen in ILRI’s commitment to impact at scale- amplifying ILRI research through partnerships with the FAO and the Government of Kenya.  

Dongyu noted that the FAO is looking to ILRI for scientific support, with expertise and experience in research. He noted that bettering livelihoods is possible through more scientific support and having the three pillars of research, government and the private sector work together for food systems transformation.  

Linturi built on the Director General’s remarks. He emphasised the need for continued research on livestock. This is critical as climate change threatens livelihoods. Linturi noted the importance of scientists advising on new technology that can alleviate the effects of climate change, such as biotechnology and improved genetics, so that the government of Kenya is ‘ready to implement new technology to support our farmers and change the lives of our people.’  

The group proceeded to tour ILRI’s facilities, including the biorepository, genomics, vaccine and anti-microbial resistance labs and the Mazingira facility. They also learned about the research at IRRI, CIP and IITA.  

‘Let’s make a change and focus on animals more,’ Dongyu said at the end of the tour. Linturi echoed this sentiment, noting that ‘for us to be food secure, we require proteins from livestock production.’ 

 

Photo: FAO Director General Qu Dongyu (second from left) and Hon Mithika Linturi, cabinet secretary for the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (third from left) tour ILRI facilities. Photo credit: Terry Muindi/ILRI