Better Lives, Better Planet Through Livestock: Science, Partnerships and ILRI's Vision to 2030

Featured Speaker

Appolinaire Djikeng, Ph.D., Director General, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

About the Speaker

Professor Appolinaire Djikeng is Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and has more than 20 years of experience in research and institutional development. His work focuses on genomics and its applications in agriculture, livestock, and human and environmental health.

He co-founded the African Animal Breeding Network to advance livestock genetics and the African Biogenome Project to support biodiversity conservation in Africa. Djikeng holds professorships at several international universities, serves on numerous science advisory boards, and has received several honors, including the Nelson Mandela Peace Award.

Seminar Overview

Livestock support the livelihoods and food and nutrition security of almost 1.3 billion people worldwide, many of them small-scale producers in Africa and Asia. These systems face growing pressure from disease, climate change and rising demand for animal-source foods.

In this seminar, Djikeng will present ILRI's strategy to 2030 and the science behind it. He will discuss research in animal health, livestock genetics, feeds and nutrition, climate and environment, and socioeconomics and policy.

The presentation will highlight how ILRI research contributes to more productive and resilient livestock systems. Djikeng will also explore how partnerships among CGIAR, universities, the private sector and national programs can translate scientific discoveries into meaningful impact.

The seminar will conclude with opportunities for collaboration between ILRI and academic institutions in livestock systems transformation and capacity development.

A reception will immediately follow the seminar at Leopold's Landing.