Green grass and greenhouse gas: Scientists are investigating the links between them

Originally posted on ILRI Clippings:
Cattle grazing on Brachiaria grass at the ILRI campus in Nairobi Kenya (photo credit: ILRI/Collins Mutai). ‘A team of researchers at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) are testing Napier, Rhodes and Brachiaria grasses for cattle feed, and then physically measuring the emissions in a respiration chamber within the institute’s laboratory.…

Better feed for cows benefits dairy farmers in India and Tanzania

The work of the MilkIT project to enhance dairy-based livelihoods in India and Tanzania through feed innovation and value chain development approaches was recently reported in IFAD’s 2016 annual report. Continue reading →

Feeding pigs roots, tubers and bananas in Uganda

A recent study of ‘Perceptions and practices of farmers on the utilization of sweetpotato, and other root tubers, and banana for pig feeding in smallholder crop-livestock systems in Uganda’ calls for further exploration of strategies to conserve such crop residues during the harvest period to reduce waste and improve incomes for smallholder pig farmers in Uganda. Continue reading →

ILRI showcases cassava peel processing innovation at global technologies conference in Durban

With 60% of the world’s arable land, Africa has the potential to not only feed itself, but to become a major food exporter. This enormous potential was demonstrated in an innovation by CGIAR scientists—processing cassava peels into animal feed—that was one of the many innovative technologies recognized at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), Africa edition, held in Durban, South Africa on 1-2 December 2015. Continue reading →

Enhancing livestock productivity through feed and feeding interventions in India and Tanzania

This report shares results and lessons on productivity-enhancing feed interventions developed through MilkIT, a project to promote milk production in India and Tanzania. Continue reading →

Modeling forage intercropping and best bets for farmers in Tanzania

Read an update of the project that uses models to help provide Tanzanian farmers with best-bet forage crop management techniques. Continue reading →

Nutritional value of feed ingredients for pigs in Uganda

This brief highlights findings from observational and experimental studies on pig diets in East Africa. It will help researchers design trials to develop diets for local pigs. It provides information for extension workers on local feeds that are high in energy, fat and protein. Continue reading →

Innovation platforms to improve smallholder dairying in India and Tanzania

This report reflects on the potential role of innovation platforms as spaces to identify and spread useful
innovations associated with dairy production and feeding. It draws examples from MilkIT, a project to promote milk production in India and Tanzania. Continue reading →

Enhancing dairy feed interventions in India and Tanzania – three messages from the MilkIT project

In December 2014, the MilkIT project (Enhancing dairy-based livelihoods in India and Tanzania through feed innovation and value chain development approaches) held final workshops in Lushoto and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. On 11 December, team members met in an ‘Outreach Meeting’ with various stakeholders and partners. The aim of the meeting was to continue synthesizing the key insights of the project through interactions with a wider community. Continue reading →

Fodder seed field day in Ethiopia is an encouraging sign of sustained innovation

During the lifetime of the Fodder Adoption Project ILRI established local innovation platforms at various field sites around Ethiopia. The idea behind these was to provide a forum for key livestock feed stakeholders to get together and jointly plan actions to improve the livestock feed situation for smallholder farmers. One such innovation platform was established … Continue reading →