ILRI to collaborate with Chinese Academy of Sciences in chicken genetics project

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre (SAJOREC) of the Chinese Academic Sciences (CAS) have started research collaboration in agriculture, biodiversity, geosciences, microbiology and resource management through the African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACGG) project.

The new initiative follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CAS and ILRI on 13 December 2018 when CAS delegates led by the vice-president, Yaping Zhang visited the ILRI campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In particular, the delegation visited the ILRI forages genebank and poultry research facility in the campus.

The collaboration between the two institutes will include:

• Joint training of postgraduate students
• Exchange of research scientists, academic staff and education administrators
• Joint research project applications in areas of mutual interest
• Joint research organization of seminars, workshops, symposiums and training courses
• Production of joint scientific publications and reports.

ILRI’s scientists, Olivier Hanotte (middle), and Tadelle Dessie (right) with Yaping Zhang of CAS at the ACGG office (photo credit: ILRI\Bethlehem Alemu).

ILRI Director General’s representative to Ethiopia, Siboniso Moyo, emphasized the need to strengthen existing collaboration with SAJOREC while signing the MoU.

Yaping Zhang, said CAS was delighted to work with ILRI in life sciences and biotechnology with a particular focus on livestock. He also said that the collaboration will not only generate new knowledge but also new technologies and policy options for the sustainable use of livestock in Africa.

CAS established SAJOREC in 2013 in partnership with local and international institutes in Africa to strengthen scientific cooperation with developing countries under the Belt and Road Initiative.  SAJOREC ‘s work covers food security, eco-environmental protection, wildlife conservation, public health and other areas that are important for the sustainable development of Africa.