Adding compost and farmyard manure to soil both increases fertility and soil health, and improves the water holding content.

The overall aim of this study was to explore what the development community can do, or facilitate, to significantly improve livelihoods in semi-arid systems.The authors based their analysis on two case-study sites in the communal lands of southern Zimbabwe. The main tool was a detailed livelihood questionnaire, supplemented by participatory appraisal and observation, action research, biophysical analysis and systems modelling.

This document is divided in four parts. The first part, external influences shaping ILRI's strategy, discusses the role of livestock in poverty alleviation, food and nutritional security, the environment and human health, livestock demand and production trends, productivity challenge, evolution of livestock systems, trends in science and information technologies and stakeholders for international livestock research. The second part highlights rationale for strategic choices while the third part outlines the strategic choices.

This publication provides a summary of a very busy week’s agenda, especially the media coverage, lessons from e-discussions, a summary of the main recommendations and conclusions of the seminar, and abstracts of the presentations...