UK - CIAT Joint Centre on Forage Grasses for Africa
Lead Research Organisation:
Aberystwyth University
Department Name: IBERS
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The main objectives of this project are to:
• Foster collaborative links in tropical grass breeding between CIAT (Colombia) and IBERS.
• Develop breeding programmes for improved forage crops for use in sub-Saharan east African countries for sustainable intensification of smallholder ruminant livestock productivity.
• Investigate water stress tolerance traits in key Brachiaria breeding lines using the BBSRC National Plant Phenomics Centre at IBERS.
• Facilitate capacity building with CIAT (Cali), CIAT (Nairobi), ILRI (Kenya) and other sub-Saharan east African countries by personnel exchange.
• Develop high throughput analysis of Brachiaria material for nutritional characteristics using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
• Generate Pacific Biosciences long-read sequencing data to enable assembly of a complete reference genome of diploid Brachiaria ruziziensis.
• Establish low cost techniques for measuring methane emissions from small ruminants in Colombia and African countries through a knowledge transfer network.
• Develop research grant proposals to further establish collaboration between IBERS, CIAT and relevant third party organisations.
• Foster collaborative links in tropical grass breeding between CIAT (Colombia) and IBERS.
• Develop breeding programmes for improved forage crops for use in sub-Saharan east African countries for sustainable intensification of smallholder ruminant livestock productivity.
• Investigate water stress tolerance traits in key Brachiaria breeding lines using the BBSRC National Plant Phenomics Centre at IBERS.
• Facilitate capacity building with CIAT (Cali), CIAT (Nairobi), ILRI (Kenya) and other sub-Saharan east African countries by personnel exchange.
• Develop high throughput analysis of Brachiaria material for nutritional characteristics using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
• Generate Pacific Biosciences long-read sequencing data to enable assembly of a complete reference genome of diploid Brachiaria ruziziensis.
• Establish low cost techniques for measuring methane emissions from small ruminants in Colombia and African countries through a knowledge transfer network.
• Develop research grant proposals to further establish collaboration between IBERS, CIAT and relevant third party organisations.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- Aberystwyth University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Kenya Agriculture & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) (Collaboration)
- INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (Collaboration)
- CGIAR (Collaboration)
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) (Collaboration)
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Collaboration)
- University of Pretoria (Collaboration)
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (Collaboration)
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (Collaboration)
- University of Nairobi (Collaboration)
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) (Collaboration)
- Institute of Agricultural Research of Mozambique (Collaboration)
- Africa Harvest Biotechnology Foundation (Collaboration)
- Rwanda Agriculture Board (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Jon Moorby (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Arango J
(2020)
Ambition Meets Reality: Achieving GHG Emission Reduction Targets in the Livestock Sector of Latin America
in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Mazabel J
(2020)
Using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for estimating nutritional quality of Brachiaria humidicola in breeding selections
in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Nantongo Z
(2021)
The influence of supplemental feed protein concentration on growth and carcass characteristics of Short Horn Zebu bulls grazing natural pastures
in Scientific African
Quintero-Anzueta S
(2021)
Nutritional Evaluation of Tropical Forage Grass Alone and Grass-Legume Diets to Reduce in vitro Methane Production
in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
| Description | Forage utilisation for livestock farming in sub-Saharan Africa is limited by availability of appropriate seeds, agronomic knowledge, and willingness of farmers to implement new farming practices. The tropical grass breeding programmes that exist in CIAT in Colombia, and which are primarily used for the development of new forage grass varieties for use in South America, offer an excellent resource to enable the use of better forage crops on smallholder farms in Africa. An example is Brachiaria, which is tropical grass native to Africa, and has a high nutritional value compared to other forage resources. It can be grazed by livestock, which is in contrast to other forages such as Napier grass, which is generally cut and chopped before being fed to animals. Improving the feeds offered to livestock will not only improve their productivity (e.g. increase milk output from dairy cows), but will help the reduce methane emissions intensity of ruminant livestock. This project has trained many staff and students from African organisations in the best ways of measuring methane emissions from ruminant livestock and their diets, using in vivo and in vitro assessment methods. This project has also led to the development of an extensive network of national and international research organisations and universities in the sub-Saharan region of East Africa, all of whom are committed to developing new and improved ways to increase the financial and nutritional security of smallholder livestock farmers in Africa. |
| Exploitation Route | This work can be taken forward by national agricultural research systems (NARS) in various countries in sub-Saharan East Africa. Academics will now have access to sequencing data from Brachiaria ruziziensis, to help with breeding activities. Staff and students of various African organisations now have a better understanding of how to measure methane emissions from ruminant livestock, and this will contribute to their ability to define ways of reducing methane emission intensities from productive livestock. This will contribute to regional policies to improve food security and reduce the environmental impact of ruminant agriculture. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Education Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
| Description | Taught MSc training |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Advancing sustainable forage-based livestock production systems in Colombia (CoForLife) |
| Amount | £663,462 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S01893X/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | Towards climate-smart forage-based diets for Colombian livestock |
| Amount | £165,770 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R021856/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | Africa Harvest Biotechnology Foundation |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | CGIAR |
| Department | International Center for Tropical Agriculture |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | Institute of Agricultural Research of Mozambique |
| Country | Mozambique |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | International Institute of Tropical Agriculture |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | Kenya Agriculture & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | Rwanda Agriculture Board |
| Country | Rwanda |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute |
| Country | Tanzania, United Republic of |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | University of Nairobi |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Forages of Africa network |
| Organisation | University of Pretoria |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual input to new research initiatives. Training of staff and students. Hosting of visiting researchers and students. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Local knowledge and expertise to provide intellectual input to proposed development initiatives. Contribution of plant germplasm resources. |
| Impact | Development of new breeding programmes in Uganda. Development of funding proposals. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Partnership with NaLIRRI, Uganda |
| Organisation | National Livestock Resources Research Institute |
| Country | Uganda |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Input into experimental research, including providing expert advice to Ugandan staff on the development of new plant breeding programmes at their research site near Kiwenda. Providing advice on the development of a new large dairy research facility. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Carrying out experimental research in Uganda |
| Impact | Funding proposals submitted. Publications in preparation |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Partnership with University of Nairobi |
| Organisation | University of Nairobi |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Hosting visiting staff from University of Nairobi |
| Collaborator Contribution | Experimental work carried out in the field and in the lab |
| Impact | Funding proposals submitted and publications in preparation |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Capacity building workshop, Uganda |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This workshop was held in September 2017 with members of staff and students at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute near Kiwenda, Uganda, to discuss and inform on areas of livestock nutrition and plant breeding. Following the workshop, a number of joint research proposals have been prepared and submitted. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Capacity building: Methane measurement workshop, Nairobi |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This capacity-building workshop was carried out to enable participation by staff and students who had been unable to travel to Aberystwyth in May 2016 for the first methane measurement workshop, either due to lack of time or because they had been unable to obtain a UK entry visa. The format followed the previous workshop, and its objective was to demonstrate techniques and calculations required to measure enteric methane emissions from ruminant livestock. Seventeen participants from universities and research organisations from four sub-Saharan African countries were able to attend. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Dolen Ffermio (Farming Link) 6th Form Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Conference for sixth form pupils at Llanfyllin High School on overseas development, with a focus on smallholder agriculture. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Engagement with Charles Mugarura, Ugandan permaculture consultant |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Discussion of the Forages for Africa network initiative in relation to potential collaboration in Uganda. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Forages for Africa - Appropriate Forages for Appropriate Situations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Twenty-seven participants from universities and research institutes from eight different countries attended a workshop held in Kampala, Uganda, in November 2015. Uganda was chosen as a representative region of sub-Saharan east Africa to assess local forage resources and needs for novel forage plants for livestock feeding. This included a field trip to local farms and to the research facilities of Uganda's National Livestock Resources Research Institute near Kiwenda, Uganda. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Methane measurement workshop, Aberystwyth |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Sixteen people from universities and research organisations from six different countries attended this capacity-building workshop. The purpose of this workshop was to demonstrate the latest principles and techniques for the measurement of enteric methane emissions from livestock animals, particularly focused on the requirements for generating emission factors for country-specific reporting of greenhouse gas emission inventory data. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Presentation at Tropical Pastures Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of talk entitled "The role of improved pasture varieties on ruminant nutrition and productivity (in tropical systems)" at CATIE, Costa Rica. Participants discussed the use of improved forage varieties for more sustainable livestock production in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |