Enhancing Livestock Science Capacity in Africa

The Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) initiative is a joint activity of African Union (AU)/ the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)-AU/NEPAD and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in support of the AU/NEPAD Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agenda. The BecA Hub @ ILRI is a shared regional platform for training the next generation of African scientists in the skills and tools that will enable them to define agricultural biotechnology possibilities for the next decade. From 2007, in collaboration with various African National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs), Universities and global research institutes, the BecA Hub is strengthening regional capacity through research and development in a wide range of areas including research, capacity building and training and research-related services. As an African Centre of Excellence, the BecA Hub is expected to contribute to the alleviation of some of the constraints associated with scientific, technical, and human capacity.  The BecA Hub is affiliated with a network of regional nodes and other laboratories and organizations throughout the region. The BecA Hub facilities are world class, including a range of molecular, plant transformation, and genomics laboratories and equipment (e.g. 454 sequencing, Biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories, and plant growth facilities). The BecA Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in science offer promise to address previously intractable problems constraining Africa’s development. Capacity building is a major goal of all activities. Other research and capacity building activities cover agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources.