Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng

Optimism and positive thinking

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

I am excited to be speaking at the World Food Prize Foundation #DialogueNEXTAfrica – happening on June 30 in Nairobi, Kenya. It is estimated that by 2050, more than one in four people on the planet will be African, up from one in ten just a century before. What does this mean for Africa's agriculture? Africa must become the breadbasket, not only for its rising population, but for the rest of the world. I am excited that young people are rising up and taking center stage, bringing their energy, creativity and passion to Africa’s agriculture landscape.
These conversations are deeply connected to both my passion and the work we do at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) to co-design and deploy science-based livestock solutions that positively impact people's lives. Join us for this discussion on how Africa’s researchers, institutions, farmers and young agripreneurs are preparing for the future.
#BorntoFeedtheFuture, @ILRI
Register for event here: https://t.co/RiQiegmXUX

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

I was pleased to participate in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026 in Manila, where leaders from government, research, development finance, and the private sector came together around a shared urgency: transforming food systems in the face of climate shocks, rising food insecurity, and growing demand for resilience.

A strong message from the discussions was that the challenge is not only innovation, but scaling innovation through better alignment between science, finance, partnerships, and implementation.

CGIAR is contributing to this agenda by connecting research to action and helping to scale climate-resilient, nature-positive, and nutrition-sensitive solutions that strengthen productivity, resilience, and livelihoods. Mechanisms such as the ADB–CGIAR Clearinghouse Facility and the CGIAR Scaling Hub show the value of bringing together governments, science, and investment to accelerate impact.

@ILRI, we are proud to complement this effort through the Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub, which supports countries to advance sustainable, low-emission livestock systems while strengthening resilience, productivity, and integration of livestock into climate strategies.

My thanks to @ADB_HQ, @CGIAR colleagues, and all partners for the rich exchange and shared commitment to moving from ambition to execution.

#ADB #CGIAR #ILRI #FoodSystems #ClimateResilience #Livestock #Innovation #Partnerships #Manila #AsiaPacific

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

Last December, I spent time with #CIMMYT Director General @bramaccimmyt developing a new framework for collaboration between @ILRI and @CIMMYT.
I am pleased to share the fruits of these discussions which is a that the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration across crop–livestock systems. Across #subSaharanAfrica and #LatinAmerica, the majority of smallholder farmers rely on integrated crop–livestock systems for food, income, and cultural identity. Strengthening these systems by the two CGIAR centers is therefore central to food security, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
ILRI and CIMMYT have a strong track record of collaboration, including successful joint projects in #Zimbabwe and #Sudan. This MoU builds on that shared legacy that has delivered meaningful innovations in food security and sustainable agriculture and marks a new phase of collaboration focused on co-creating integrated, country-driven solutions with our partners.
Priority research areas include:
• Dual-purpose food and feed production
• Climate change mitigation
• Resilience-building across key regions, including the #Sahel, #HornofAfrica, and #Asia
This collaboration will provide opportunities for stronger country and investor engagement, better alignment of complementary research assets, improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and the joint development of integrated, large-scale investment propositions.
#livestocksystems
#cropsystems

[Paul Newnham 🇦🇺 @paulnewnham]

Great insights from Appolinaire Djikeng, DG of @ILRI:

“Without enough protein, children are falling behind around the world."

We need a multiplicity of solutions to drive change at all levels.

#WorldFoodPrize #BorlaugDialogues #GoodFood4All

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

Strengthening partnerships with @ForeignOfficeKE. Paid a courtesy call on Amb. Daniel Wambura, Deputy Director General, Diplomatic Privileges & Immunities, Kenya. We discussed strengthening Kenya’s hosting ecosystem, ILRI’s 50-year partnership in Kenya, and opportunities for deeper collaboration in research, infrastructure & capacity building. #Partnerships #ScienceForImpact

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

Thanks to years of collaborative research between ILRI and partners, #Kenya policymakers have now recommended that hospitals transition from the Febrile Brucella Agglutination Test (FBAT) to the more reliable Rose Bengal Test (RBT) to not only improve accuracy in diagnosing brucellosis but also save the country thousands of dollars in unnecessary treatments.

This life-saving policy shift follows years of research and engagement led by ILRI colleagues Eric Fevre and Katie Hamilton, the Ministry of Health, Kenya, Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, @Zoonotic Diseases Unit (ZDU), rural hospital staff, agricultural technicians, and nomadic pastoralist communities.

However, challenges remain. As Mutiira from the ZDU noted: “We all agree it’s a better test but making it available everywhere might be a challenge.”
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease, transferable between animals and humans, and milk is a common source of infection. As @Bernard Bett emphasized, “Treating the patient today isn’t enough- because they go back home, get reinfected by consuming the same milk, and return to the hospital. The cycle continues.”

As culling animals is not an option for smallholder farmers who often rely on just 1-2 animals, managing brucellosis requires a One Health approach:

1. Promoting human health practices such as food safety
2. Developing efficient vaccines to promote animal health
3. Deepening collaboration between stakeholders to co-create and co-design innovations

We must now work on these goals to further protect animal and human health!

More about the research: Brucellosis misdiagnosis is costing Kenya—new policy aims to change that

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

@ILRI, #AFSForum2025

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

Good animal health is essential for human health and livelihoods in the face of climate change. African nations cannot afford to omit animal health and welfare from climate change planning and commitments. Together with Emmanuelle Soubeyran, director general of World Organisation for Animal Health, we explain what Africa and the rest of the world need to do to keep our animals healthy and well, and to integrate animal health into both climate change mitigation and sustainable development strategies.
https://t.co/Alj2ziW1Tu
#OneHealth #AnimalHealth @ILRI

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

World Food Safety Day has always been an important day that ILRI celebrates and contributes globally with our national partners. This year is even more important given this year's theme 'Science in Action', focusing on the use of scientific knowledge as key to reducing illness, cutting costs and saving lives.

This year, @ILRI #Vietnam colleagues together with the National Institute of Animal Science (NAIS), @WHO and @FAO organized a forum to promote and strengthen stakeholder engagement and collaboration in food safety and science-based policymaking.

Our food safety research is about saving lives in places where the risks are often invisible but deeply harmful. In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), food safety remains a challenge, and foodborne illnesses present serious threat to public health. We focus on mitigating risks, understanding the economic implications of unsafe food, improving safety within informal markets, capacity development of policymakers and vendors, and changing behaviours.

Read about the forum here: : https://t.co/3uyQqSbRV5

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

A seminal publication of “African Livestock Genetic Resources and Sustainable Breeding Strategies: Unlocking a Treasure Trove and Guide for Improved Productivity” is scheduled for August 2025. This e-book offers insights into harnessing Africa’s unique livestock genetic resources for improved productivity and resilience, enhancing food security and conserving biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa. This new publication edited by @EvelineMIbeaghaAwemu, @SundayOPeters, @AppolinaireDjikeng, @JohnEdwardORege. It is a critical resource for improving Africa’s unique genetic resources for improved productivity and resilience, I am particularly excited at the combination of both scientific and practical information that is provided.
The open-access book will be available here: https://t.co/7mxyoqzpPc . You can pre-order your copies. Thanks to all the partners International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Egerton University CoELIB Egerton, CTLGH, Environmental Compliance Institute University of Hohenheim SRUC LUANAR-Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and @ILRI_JimmySmith for agreeing to fund this important work when he was International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Director General.
Congratulations to the African Animal Breeding Network - AABNet #AnimalGenetics #AfricanLivestock #SustainableBreeding #AgricultureInnovation #FoodSecurity #LivestockDevelopment

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

@Striga_Steve @KamounLab Mbappé is Cameroonian
Appolinaire is Cameroonian and honorary and proud Kenyan

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

Congratulations to Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia on the launch of the Ethiopian Livestock and Fisheries Investment Handbook — a significant milestone in unlocking the full potential of the country’s livestock and fisheries sector through increased private investment. This Handbook is a timely response to Ethiopia’s 10-Year Agricultural Transformation Plan and the growing demand for animal-source foods, driven by rapid population growth and urbanization. It aims to provide both domestic and international investors with greater clarity and confidence to invest in one of Africa’s most dynamic and resource-rich agricultural sectors.
Importantly, the Handbook outlines a supportive investment environment, detailing incentives such as tax holidays, duty-free capital goods imports, access to investment loans, and competitively leased land. It also maps out institutional support designed to ease market entry and mitigate risk. We at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) are proud to have collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture in developing this vital resource. With the continent's largest livestock population and abundant natural assets -including fertile land, diverse agro-ecologies, and extensive water resources - Ethiopia is well positioned for a transformative journey toward sustainable agricultural growth.
💡 Private sector participation is key to turning this potential into real impact — driving food security, job creation, and inclusive economic development.
#Ethiopia #Livestock #Fisheries #Investment #Agriculture #PrivateSector #FoodSecurity #ILRI #PublicPrivatePartnership

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

Congratulations to the Ministry of Health, Kenya on the official launch of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI)! This centralized institute marks a transformative step in Kenya’s public health landscape— bringing together #diseasesurveillance, #emergencyresponse, #healthresearch, and #policycoordination under one strategic umbrella. At a time when global health threats continue to prove the need for resilient health systems, KNPHI is a landmark investment in Kenya’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging public health challenges. As noted by the Cabinet Secretary during the launch: “It provides us with a unified platform to prioritize public health needs, mobilize resources efficiently, build laboratory and workforce capacity, and generate research that will guide our national policies.” The integration of key departments and programs—including #DiseaseSurveillance, #ZoonoticDiseaseManagement, #EmergencyOperations, #HealthInformatics, and the #NationalPublicHealthLaboratories- will strengthen cross-sector collaboration and reinforce the One Health approach in policy and practice. At ILRI we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health and its partners in advancing research, emergency preparedness, and evidence-based policy for better public health outcomes. The World Bank | Africa CDC | @AMREF IANPHI
#CGIAR #OneHealth #PublicHealth #Kenya #KNPHI #GlobalHealth

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

The rising frequency of zoonotic disease outbreaks, climate change impacts, and fragile health systems highlight the urgent need for stronger stakeholder collaboration and multisectoral action. The #OneHealth approach offers a powerful framework to tackle these interconnected challenges.

The Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) project, led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)—is supporting 12 countries to integrate the One Health approach into their national development agendas. These efforts are now documented as country case studies in the CABI Digital Library.

🔑 Key takeaway:
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Countries have identified their unique challenges, set national priorities, and developed tailored systems to strengthen One Health implementation- each in its own way.

We are pleased that these valuable resources have been recognized by the Quadripartite (FAO, World Health Organization, WOAH, UNEP-WCMC) as critical tools in advancing the One Health Joint Plan of Action.

More about the Case studies here: https://t.co/ykVl7g85xJ

European Union OACPS Research & Innovation Programme CIRAD ISAAA AfriCenter
#GlobalHealth #Zoonoses #ClimateChange #COHESA
#OneHealthAction

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

🔍 A timely piece by Daouda Ngom, Senegal’s Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, spotlighting the innovative solutions helping livestock and nature coexist across #Senegal, #Mali, and the wider African continent.🌿From climate-smart grazing strategies to vaccines, new technologies are showing that we don't have to choose between hooves and habitats—we can have both.💡The Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub, led by ILRI, is supporting countries in their transition to sustainable, low-emission livestock systems.🤝The Minister emphasizes that to make lasting impact, we need: Stronger collaboration among policymakers, researchers, businesses, and farmers; Increased investment in livestock innovation; Wider knowledge sharing to ensure smallholder and subsistence farmers can access and apply these tools. 🥚🥛🍖These innovations are not only about sustainability, they’re about improving nutrition, food security, and livelihoods, especially for women and children across Africa. https://t.co/EVPLab8JvI
Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Transition écologique
ASERGMV reforestation AGRHYMET, Centre Climatique Régional pour l'Afrique de l'Ouest et le Sahel (CCR-AOS) Le Cirad au Sahel PRAPS_CILSS
Ministère de l'Agriculture, de la Souveraineté Alimentaire et de l'Élevage MASAE ECOWAS Commission CORAF | West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa - FARA Ballmer Group Global Methane Hub
#OneHealth #FoodSecurity #ClimateSmartAgriculture #Pastoralism #LivestockInnovation #GreenInvestments #AfricaSustainability #NutritionMatters

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

🎉@ILRI is thrilled to share that @CGIAR Executive Managing Director, @IsmahaneElouafi, has been named on the 2025 #TIME100, @TIME’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. This recognition celebrates her global leadership in agricultural innovation, her championing of under utilized crops and non-freshwater use, and her tireless advocacy for women in science. @IsmahaneElouafi said, “It is an incredible honor to receive this recognition. It belongs to the dedicated scientists at CGIAR, our partners and funders who support us, and the millions of smallholder farmers guiding our work towards global food security.”
🔗Read more: https://t.co/oaBmNMy2nD
See the full list here: https://t.co/NZkZTXEtdG
#TIME100 #WithScienceWeCan

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

I am excited to announce a strategic collaboration between CEVA SANTE ANIMALE and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) to establish a new Animal Health Innovation Hub for Africa at ILRI’s Nairobi campus to ensure better livelihoods, food security and sustainability. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to improving livestock health and productivity in Africa by bringing research solutions to the market Fabian Kausche Musa Mulongo #animalhealth #africa #vaccines #innovation #CGIARScienceWeek
https://t.co/cs1WxHIWWk

[Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng @ADjikeng]

Africa Animal Breeding Network (AABNet): The Vision for Animal Breeding in Africa
At a #CGIARScienceWeek side event, speakers highlighted the vital role of genetic improvement in tackling key challenges in livestock production in the Global South, from low productivity and animal health to climate change impacts.
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ No single breed fits all environments – breeding must be tailored to respective environments
✅Align breeding strategies with national development goals
✅ Consider environmental sustainability in livestock genetics
✅ Strengthen country-level capacity and capabilities
✅ Investment in animal genetic services is important to unlock impact
✅ Policy and advisory services– there is need to take knowledge to the decision makers
✅Involve all players — breeders, farmers, cooperatives, and beyond
✅ Prioritize R&D to drive innovation
✅Build capacity around IP rights and access-benefit sharing - communities need to appreciate the value of what they have, to maximize the benefits.
✅Data sharing - Data is good, but is better when shared and used to make better decisions
📣 “Launching animal genetic services in Africa will be a game changer.”
#LivestockDevelopment #AnimalBreeding #OneCGIAR #AgricultureInnovation #AfricaLivestock #SustainableFarming #GeneticImprovement
#AADGG