WSU to lead a new international livestock initiative with funding of up to $40M

PULLMAN, Wash. - 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."

At WSU, the AHIL team includes Regents Professor Jon Oatley and professor Mutono Nyamai from the College of Veterinary Medicine and professors Jon Yoder, Tom Marsh and Seoelle Park from the School of Economic Sciences. To carry out the research, deliver innovations and train the next generation of animal health researchers, WSU will partner with academic institutions, including the University of Nairobi in Kenya and the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology in Tanzania; two research organizations, the International Livestock Research Institute and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization; and two private sector partners: GenePlus, which works with superior American genetics, and Performeter Limited, which focuses on livestock fodder. Additional partners in the other Feed the Future countries will be engaged over the course of the program.

"The Animal Health Innovation Lab brings a U.S. land-grant university together with the best in-country scientists and institutions to remove the barriers of disease, genetics, feed and markets that limit livestock productivity, food security and trading opportunities in Africa," Mwangi said. "WSU is proud to lead this effort."

Livestock play a critical role in food security, livelihoods and economic growth across Africa, but the sector operates far below its productive potential. Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, holds more than 14% of the world's livestock resources yet contributes only 2.8% of global meat and milk output.

To close that gap, this WSU-led initiative will also tackle challenges facing global veterinary systems, a constraint that compounds disease, feed and genetics challenges, while creating new opportunities for American companies and agricultural exporters.

A major focus will be expanding access to U.S. livestock genetics via artificial insemination and advanced reproductive technologies. Oatley will lead the project's genetics and breeding efforts.

"The ability to disseminate high-value genetics throughout food animal populations is critical to accelerating genetic improvement and requires innovative reproductive technologies," Oatley said. "We are excited that the AHIL provides an opportunity to advance these methods with the goal of improving livestock resilience and productivity across Africa."

The project will also develop and improve delivery of vaccines, diagnostics and treatments targeting livestock diseases and tick infestations that cause significant economic losses. The aim is to make these tools more available, reliable and affordable while reducing animal illness, deaths and reliance on antibiotics. It will strengthen disease surveillance and livestock traceability systems, helping partner countries respond faster to outbreaks while providing earlier warning of livestock disease threats that could affect U.S. agriculture.

Building on more than a decade of collaboration between WSU and the University of Nairobi, including a joint PhD program, AHIL will train the next generation of animal health researchers from six partner countries. Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows will work across AHIL's research areas, supported by student and faculty exchanges between the universities.

"The tools and solutions we develop will matter only if there are scientists on the ground to carry them forward," Mwangi said. "By training a new generation of researchers alongside our partners in Africa, we are building partnerships that will continue to improve animal health, livelihoods and trade long after this program ends.'

Media Contacts

• Thumbi Mwangi, WSU Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, [email protected]