Washington State University has secured a federal grant to lead a new Feed the Future Animal Health Innovation Lab (AHIL), an international effort that will expand markets for U.S. livestock technologies while improving animal health and food security in Africa.
The multi-year award is funded through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response. It provides an initial $9.6 million in funding with the option to increase total funding up to $40 million over five years to support livestock research and efforts in Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Senegal and Zambia. Dr Thumbi Mwangi will lead AHIL as director, with Dr Felix Lankester serving as co-director. Both are professors in the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health at WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
“These countries have tremendous potential for growth in their livestock sectors,” Lankester said. “This project will help improve livestock productivity and health, which can strengthen local economies and food systems while creating opportunities for U.S. technologies and agricultural innovation.”
Source : wsu.edu