https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1From ILRI staff and projectsWed, 26 Aug 2026 20:11:34 GMT2026-08-26T20:11:34Z257901https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstreams/9f97aa30-76b2-4ec2-a8ad-12d91b05da3e/downloadhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185198dc.title: The DR Congo-Uganda corridor: One Health promised, not delivered dc.contributor.author: Kuchipudi, S.V.; Diara, M.; Gebreyes, W.A.; Kankya, C.; Kilmarx, P.H.; Mavian, C.N.; Mbala-Kingebeni, P.; Nachega, J.B.; Patel, Ekta; Sewankambo, N.K.; Sow, A.; van der Horst, K.; Lichtveld, M.Y. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851982026-08-20T00:00:00ZKuchipudi, S.V.Diara, M.Gebreyes, W.A.Kankya, C.Kilmarx, P.H.Mavian, C.N.Mbala-Kingebeni, P.Nachega, J.B.Patel, EktaSewankambo, N.K.Sow, A.van der Horst, K.Lichtveld, M.Y.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185197dc.title: Exploring heterogeneous motivations for adopting cow comfort practices among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya - A best-worst scaling approach dc.contributor.author: Muunda, Emmanuel M.; VanLeeuwen, J.; Ceballos, M.C.; Ritter, C.; Rao, Elizaphan James O. dcterms.abstract: Smallholder dairy farms (SDFs) dominate the milk supply in Kenya and provide livelihoods for more than 2 million households. The majority of SDFs keep fewer than 6 cows, often on pieces of land less than 5 acres in size and produce approximately 5–15 liters of milk per cow per day. Due to resource constraints, inadequate knowledge of proper stall design and management and varying motivations in SDFs, cow housing and management conditions may remain suboptimal, affecting their welfare and farm productivity. Previous interventions recommending cow comfort adjustments in such farms have reported varied levels of compliance with minimal scaling opportunities. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the relative importance of farmer-reported motivation attributes associated with cow-comfort-related dairy management decisions. Using cross-sectional data from 304 zero-grazing SDFs in Uasin Gishu county of Kenya, this study employed the best-worst scaling approach, a robust methodology in behavioral economics, to explore the stated relative priorities among motivation attributes regarding adopting cow comfort practices. Latent class analysis was used to explore farmer preference differences among relatively homogenous farm groups, and farm characteristics were used to understand their preferences. Results indicated that the highest-ranked attribute reflected intrinsic satisfaction /utility they obtain when knowing their cows were well-kept and healthy. Several economic motivations also ranked highly; including maximizing milk production and farm profitability, sustaining the dairy business, and facilitating time to engage in other activities and ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment. These preferences differed across farm groups based on farmer, farm practice and herd characteristics, such as sex of the household head, proportion of income obtained from dairy, and education levels. These findings indicate that motivations for cow-comfort-related management decisions are heterogeneous and involve both use-value and non-use-value considerations. Extension and policy strategies may therefore be more effective when they are tailored to farmer segments and when they emphasize immediate farm-level economic and welfare-relevant benefits, rather than relying only on broad public-good messaging about animal welfare. cg.contributor.initiative: Sustainable Animal Productivity Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851972026-11-01T00:00:00ZMuunda, Emmanuel M.VanLeeuwen, J.Ceballos, M.C.Ritter, C.Rao, Elizaphan James O.Smallholder dairy farms (SDFs) dominate the milk supply in Kenya and provide livelihoods for more than 2 million households. The majority of SDFs keep fewer than 6 cows, often on pieces of land less than 5 acres in size and produce approximately 5–15 liters of milk per cow per day. Due to resource constraints, inadequate knowledge of proper stall design and management and varying motivations in SDFs, cow housing and management conditions may remain suboptimal, affecting their welfare and farm productivity. Previous interventions recommending cow comfort adjustments in such farms have reported varied levels of compliance with minimal scaling opportunities. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the relative importance of farmer-reported motivation attributes associated with cow-comfort-related dairy management decisions. Using cross-sectional data from 304 zero-grazing SDFs in Uasin Gishu county of Kenya, this study employed the best-worst scaling approach, a robust methodology in behavioral economics, to explore the stated relative priorities among motivation attributes regarding adopting cow comfort practices. Latent class analysis was used to explore farmer preference differences among relatively homogenous farm groups, and farm characteristics were used to understand their preferences. Results indicated that the highest-ranked attribute reflected intrinsic satisfaction /utility they obtain when knowing their cows were well-kept and healthy. Several economic motivations also ranked highly; including maximizing milk production and farm profitability, sustaining the dairy business, and facilitating time to engage in other activities and ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment. These preferences differed across farm groups based on farmer, farm practice and herd characteristics, such as sex of the household head, proportion of income obtained from dairy, and education levels. These findings indicate that motivations for cow-comfort-related management decisions are heterogeneous and involve both use-value and non-use-value considerations. Extension and policy strategies may therefore be more effective when they are tailored to farmer segments and when they emphasize immediate farm-level economic and welfare-relevant benefits, rather than relying only on broad public-good messaging about animal welfare.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185194dc.title: Six years of One Health action in Africa: evaluating outcomes, mechanisms, and lessons from OHRECA (2020–2025) dc.contributor.author: Lam, Steven; Bett, Bernard K.; Moodley, Arshnee; Mutua, Florence K.; Lian, Thomas dcterms.abstract: Background There is growing momentum towards using One Health approaches to address health threats emerging when human activities come in close contact with animals and shared environments. In Africa, where the burden of such threats is disproportionately high, strengthening One Health capacity is important for improving health system preparedness. Although substantial investments have been made in One Health capacity building across low- and middle-income countries, there remains limited evidence on how such initiatives achieve sustainable outcomes and the conditions that enable their success. Case description The One Health Research, Education, and Outreach Centre in Africa (OHRECA), a six-year research-for-development initiative (2020–2025) implemented across multiple African countries, was evaluated. Using a realist-informed mixed-methods evaluation, this study explores how and why OHRECA achieved its outcomes. Key outcomes Findings suggest that OHRECA contributed to scientific productivity, workforce development, and more in the target countries. Learning-by-doing and partnerships emerged as key mechanisms while long time-investments and institutional continuity were important contextual conditions supporting these outcomes. Conclusions Given the absence of baseline and comparator data for many outcomes, the findings should be interpreted as explanatory case study evidence rather than as a causal effectiveness assessment. Nevertheless, they offer transferable lessons for designing One Health capacity building efforts in African research systems and other low- and middle-income settings. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851942026-07-24T00:00:00ZLam, StevenBett, Bernard K.Moodley, ArshneeMutua, Florence K.Lian, ThomasBackground There is growing momentum towards using One Health approaches to address health threats emerging when human activities come in close contact with animals and shared environments. In Africa, where the burden of such threats is disproportionately high, strengthening One Health capacity is important for improving health system preparedness. Although substantial investments have been made in One Health capacity building across low- and middle-income countries, there remains limited evidence on how such initiatives achieve sustainable outcomes and the conditions that enable their success. Case description The One Health Research, Education, and Outreach Centre in Africa (OHRECA), a six-year research-for-development initiative (2020–2025) implemented across multiple African countries, was evaluated. Using a realist-informed mixed-methods evaluation, this study explores how and why OHRECA achieved its outcomes. Key outcomes Findings suggest that OHRECA contributed to scientific productivity, workforce development, and more in the target countries. Learning-by-doing and partnerships emerged as key mechanisms while long time-investments and institutional continuity were important contextual conditions supporting these outcomes. Conclusions Given the absence of baseline and comparator data for many outcomes, the findings should be interpreted as explanatory case study evidence rather than as a causal effectiveness assessment. Nevertheless, they offer transferable lessons for designing One Health capacity building efforts in African research systems and other low- and middle-income settings.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185191dc.title: Entrepreneurial ecosystem approach for strengthening climate‑smart small ruminant value chain in pastoral systems in Kenya dc.contributor.author: Sila, Winfred; Oyieng, Edwin; Crooijmans, Richard; Mukalo, Irene; Okoth, Joshua; Nyanja, Belphine; Lekimariki, Joshua; Kibiwott, Leonard; Ojango, Julie M.K. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods; Multifunctional Landscapes Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851912026-08-11T00:00:00ZSila, WinfredOyieng, EdwinCrooijmans, RichardMukalo, IreneOkoth, JoshuaNyanja, BelphineLekimariki, JoshuaKibiwott, LeonardOjango, Julie M.K.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185180dc.title: Deployment of a herd health package increases production traits and reduces parasite load and disease incidence in sheep and goats in Mali dc.contributor.author: Zannou, Olivier; Diakité, C.A.T.; Traoré, C.; Sow, Ahmadou; Tebourbi, O.; Rekik, M.; Dione, Michel M. dcterms.abstract: Small ruminant production plays a crucial role in rural livelihoods and food security in Mali but is constrained by infectious diseases, parasitic infections, poor nutrition, and limited preventive healthcare. This study evaluated the effect of implementing a herd health package on the productivity, parasite load, and disease incidence in small ruminant herds in the Farakala commune, Sikasso region, Mali. This package included regular, targeted deworming campaigns, vaccination against Peste des Petits Ruminants, and training for livestock farmers on best practices regarding feeding, hygiene, housing, and reproduction in small ruminants. A total of 120 growing sheep and goats (2–6 months old) were monitoredfor 1 year (October 2023–September 2024) over 24 herds divided into test (with package) and control (without package) groups. Data on weight gain, herd growth rate, reproductive performance, and occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites were monitored. We used the linear model and the generalized linear model to check if response variables had a significant effect on productivity, parasite load, and disease incidence in small ruminant herds. We also used Mixed Models to check the impact of the package on small ruminant herds after its implementation. Results showed that Test herds experienced significantly fewer health conditions (OR = 0.62; p < 0.05) and higher herd growth rates (β = 23.7%; p < 0.05) than Control herds. Average daily weight gain was greater in treated herds (β = 8.8 g/day; p < 0.05), and live births were 1.65 times higher compared to controls (p < 0.05). Coprological analyses revealed four main gastrointestinal parasite genera (Strongylid nematodes, Eimeria spp., Trichuris spp., and Moniezia spp.), with significantly lower incidence in treated herds (OR = 0.43; p < 0.05). Sheep were more heavily infected than goats before (OR = 2.14; p < 0.05) and after intervention (OR = 1.49; p < 0.05). The integrated herd health package effectively improved small ruminant productivity by enhancing growth while reducing parasitic load and disease incidence. Scaling up this approach, combined with continuous farmer training and monitoring, could substantially improve livestock performance and rural incomes in similar production systems. cg.contributor.initiative: Sustainable Animal Productivity cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851802026-08-07T00:00:00ZZannou, OlivierDiakité, C.A.T.Traoré, C.Sow, AhmadouTebourbi, O.Rekik, M.Dione, Michel M.Small ruminant production plays a crucial role in rural livelihoods and food security in Mali but is constrained by infectious diseases, parasitic infections, poor nutrition, and limited preventive healthcare. This study evaluated the effect of implementing a herd health package on the productivity, parasite load, and disease incidence in small ruminant herds in the Farakala commune, Sikasso region, Mali. This package included regular, targeted deworming campaigns, vaccination against Peste des Petits Ruminants, and training for livestock farmers on best practices regarding feeding, hygiene, housing, and reproduction in small ruminants. A total of 120 growing sheep and goats (2–6 months old) were monitoredfor 1 year (October 2023–September 2024) over 24 herds divided into test (with package) and control (without package) groups. Data on weight gain, herd growth rate, reproductive performance, and occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites were monitored. We used the linear model and the generalized linear model to check if response variables had a significant effect on productivity, parasite load, and disease incidence in small ruminant herds. We also used Mixed Models to check the impact of the package on small ruminant herds after its implementation. Results showed that Test herds experienced significantly fewer health conditions (OR = 0.62; p < 0.05) and higher herd growth rates (β = 23.7%; p < 0.05) than Control herds. Average daily weight gain was greater in treated herds (β = 8.8 g/day; p < 0.05), and live births were 1.65 times higher compared to controls (p < 0.05). Coprological analyses revealed four main gastrointestinal parasite genera (Strongylid nematodes, Eimeria spp., Trichuris spp., and Moniezia spp.), with significantly lower incidence in treated herds (OR = 0.43; p < 0.05). Sheep were more heavily infected than goats before (OR = 2.14; p < 0.05) and after intervention (OR = 1.49; p < 0.05). The integrated herd health package effectively improved small ruminant productivity by enhancing growth while reducing parasitic load and disease incidence. Scaling up this approach, combined with continuous farmer training and monitoring, could substantially improve livestock performance and rural incomes in similar production systems.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185159dc.title: Positive deviance: Why the answer is already in the community—Prof. Arvind Singhal dc.contributor.author: Singhal, A. dcterms.abstract: In this interview, Professor Arvind Singhal, a leading scholar on positive deviance and social change, explains why this approach offers such a powerful alternative to traditional, expert-led development models. Rather than starting with an outside solution, positive deviance begins with a question: within a community facing the same challenges and constraints as everyone else, is there someone who has already found a way to achieve better outcomes? By identifying these uncommon practices and solutions already existing within the community, researchers and practitioners can amplify what works rather than impose what they assume should work. Professor Singhal reflects on how this mindset shift, from evidence-based practice to practice-based evidence, is reshaping how ILRI and its partners approach research for development. He highlights ongoing work on livestock feed and fodder innovations, including the use of crop residues, mechanical thrashers, and locally adapted feed mixes, as an example of combining scientific expertise with the wisdom and lived experience of farming communities. At its core, Professor Singhal argues, positive deviance requires humility: recognizing that communities often hold the answers to their own challenges, and that co-designed solutions carry more legitimacy, ownership, and sustainability than externally imposed ones. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Climate Action; Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods; Multifunctional Landscapes Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851592026-07-28T00:00:00ZSinghal, A.In this interview, Professor Arvind Singhal, a leading scholar on positive deviance and social change, explains why this approach offers such a powerful alternative to traditional, expert-led development models. Rather than starting with an outside solution, positive deviance begins with a question: within a community facing the same challenges and constraints as everyone else, is there someone who has already found a way to achieve better outcomes? By identifying these uncommon practices and solutions already existing within the community, researchers and practitioners can amplify what works rather than impose what they assume should work. Professor Singhal reflects on how this mindset shift, from evidence-based practice to practice-based evidence, is reshaping how ILRI and its partners approach research for development. He highlights ongoing work on livestock feed and fodder innovations, including the use of crop residues, mechanical thrashers, and locally adapted feed mixes, as an example of combining scientific expertise with the wisdom and lived experience of farming communities. At its core, Professor Singhal argues, positive deviance requires humility: recognizing that communities often hold the answers to their own challenges, and that co-designed solutions carry more legitimacy, ownership, and sustainability than externally imposed ones.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185158dc.title: Learning from within: Pastoral innovation to scale climate adaptation in the drylands dc.contributor.author: Habermann, Birgit; Worku, Tigist; Getahun, Elizabeth; Lemma, Mamusha; Flintan, Fiona E.; Adie, Aberra dcterms.abstract: Dryland pastoral communities are on the front line of land degradation, recurrent drought, and increasingly, climate-driven flooding and displacement. Externally designed interventions — vaccination campaigns, feed distribution, infrastructure projects — have repeatedly struggled to outlast the project cycles that fund them. Yet across drought-affected woredas in Ethiopia, a consistent body of field evidence shows that some pastoral households consistently achieve better livestock health and feed outcomes than their neighbors, despite facing identical climatic and resource constraints. This is not the result of greater external support — it is the result of how these households manage knowledge, labor and risk. This brief summarizes evidence from scoping studies and pilots in Afar, South Omo and Somali Regions applying the Pioneer Positive Deviance (P-PD) approach — a low-cost, community-owned methodology for identifying these “pioneer” households, understanding their practices, and connecting them to peers through existing knowledge networks rather than new external infrastructure. For UNCCD stakeholders, the central message is this: dryland resilience strategies do not need to start from a deficit. They can start from what is already working — and invest in finding it, validating it, and helping it travel. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods; Multifunctional Landscapes; Climate Action Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851582026-07-30T00:00:00ZHabermann, BirgitWorku, TigistGetahun, ElizabethLemma, MamushaFlintan, Fiona E.Adie, AberraDryland pastoral communities are on the front line of land degradation, recurrent drought, and increasingly, climate-driven flooding and displacement. Externally designed interventions — vaccination campaigns, feed distribution, infrastructure projects — have repeatedly struggled to outlast the project cycles that fund them. Yet across drought-affected woredas in Ethiopia, a consistent body of field evidence shows that some pastoral households consistently achieve better livestock health and feed outcomes than their neighbors, despite facing identical climatic and resource constraints. This is not the result of greater external support — it is the result of how these households manage knowledge, labor and risk. This brief summarizes evidence from scoping studies and pilots in Afar, South Omo and Somali Regions applying the Pioneer Positive Deviance (P-PD) approach — a low-cost, community-owned methodology for identifying these “pioneer” households, understanding their practices, and connecting them to peers through existing knowledge networks rather than new external infrastructure. For UNCCD stakeholders, the central message is this: dryland resilience strategies do not need to start from a deficit. They can start from what is already working — and invest in finding it, validating it, and helping it travel.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185156dc.title: Rangelands Rising: Investing in Sustainable Management and Restoration dc.contributor.author: Wane, Abdrahmane; Davies, Jonathan; Flintan, Fiona E.; Umutoni, Clarisse; Cramer, Laura K.; Bullock, Renee; Hientz, Lennart; Karangwa, Charles; McGregor, Sean; Nyamtseren, Mandakh; Chung, Paul dcterms.abstract: The study was developed to support the Rangelands Flagship Initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It is the result of a broad collaborative effort involving contributors from many organizations, guided by a team representing the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the UNCCD, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851562026-08-01T00:00:00ZWane, AbdrahmaneDavies, JonathanFlintan, Fiona E.Umutoni, ClarisseCramer, Laura K.Bullock, ReneeHientz, LennartKarangwa, CharlesMcGregor, SeanNyamtseren, MandakhChung, PaulThe study was developed to support the Rangelands Flagship Initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It is the result of a broad collaborative effort involving contributors from many organizations, guided by a team representing the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the UNCCD, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185089dc.title: Is PPR Epidemiological Research Addressing Global Eradication Priorities? A Scoping Review (2015–2025) dc.contributor.author: Alemayehu, Gezahegn; Knight-Jones, Theodore J.D. cg.contributor.initiative: Sustainable Animal Productivity cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850892026-08-05T00:00:00ZAlemayehu, GezahegnKnight-Jones, Theodore J.D.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185088dc.title: Pioneer wisdom: Seeds for resilient, productive landscapes dc.contributor.author: Onyango, Polycarp Otieno; Kiptoo, Emmaculate; Maiyo, Nathan; Habermann, Birgit dcterms.abstract: In May 2026, an ILRI team facilitated 6 field days with more than 800 participants. But these were not the usual kind of field days. These field days were organised and held jointly by groups of farming families for other farmers, in their homes. The host families decided whom to invite, when and where, and what they wanted to talk about, and who would talk. And they are not just any kind of farming family: they are pioneer families, positive deviants in their farming practices, in particular in maintaining and managing biodiverse pastures for productive smallholder dairy systems. And for this, they are also recognised in their communities. However, the field days were a unique opportunity for their community members to visit their farms and learn from them. The video further explains how important those field days were for the farmers. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods; Climate Action Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850882026-08-10T00:00:00ZOnyango, Polycarp OtienoKiptoo, EmmaculateMaiyo, NathanHabermann, BirgitIn May 2026, an ILRI team facilitated 6 field days with more than 800 participants. But these were not the usual kind of field days. These field days were organised and held jointly by groups of farming families for other farmers, in their homes. The host families decided whom to invite, when and where, and what they wanted to talk about, and who would talk. And they are not just any kind of farming family: they are pioneer families, positive deviants in their farming practices, in particular in maintaining and managing biodiverse pastures for productive smallholder dairy systems. And for this, they are also recognised in their communities. However, the field days were a unique opportunity for their community members to visit their farms and learn from them. The video further explains how important those field days were for the farmers.