Australia, ILRI join forces to build climate-resilient livestock systems

AFRICA and ASIA – Australia has partnered with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) to train researchers from Africa and Asia in advancing sustainable livestock production and tackling the effects of climate change on agriculture.

The AUD1 million (US$660,000) Partnership Arrangement, unveiled at the TropAg Conference in Brisbane, aims to equip scientists and technical staff from Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya with the skills to strengthen climate-resilient livestock systems. 

The initiative targets countries where livestock plays a vital role in livelihoods and food security but remains constrained by inefficiency and growing climate pressures.

The program will be overseen by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on behalf of the Australian government. 

ACIAR will collaborate with ILRI and the Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA-ILRI) Hub to establish the Africa-Asia Biosciences Challenge Funds (AABCF) fellowship and graduate certificate program.

This initiative will support early- and mid-career researchers and technical staff through fellowships, short training visits, and mentoring, enabling them to apply practical knowledge in local research and education institutions. 

A new PhD program focusing on climate solutions for tropical, subtropical, and intensive livestock systems will also be developed in collaboration with Australian universities, including the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland (UQ).

“Partnerships and capacity development are key to making lasting impact,” said Dr Suzie Newman, ACIAR General Manager. 

“We are pleased to partner with ILRI to strengthen our commitment to tackling these shared global issues, with a focus on developing capacity to support locally led, climate-resilient livestock research initiatives.”

Linking regions and research

The fellowship program has already selected over a dozen fellows through a competitive process. 

These researchers will attend workshops beginning in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2026, followed by additional sessions in Hanoi, Vietnam, designed to foster cross-regional collaboration.

ILRI Director General Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng praised Australia’s leadership in supporting sustainable development, noting the broader economic importance of agriculture in the Global South. 

“We know that in parts of the Global South, economic growth from agriculture is up to 11 times more effective at reducing poverty than any other sector,” he said. 

“By upskilling researchers, this partnership will help to optimise this critical sector in the face of climate change.”

Prof. Tim Mahony of The University of Queensland added that the collaboration aims to build a cohort of skilled researchers who can apply lessons from Australia’s harsh agricultural environment. 

“Most of these countries have a challenging production environment, similar to Australia’s northern herds,” he said. 

“We’re focused on breeding and improving productivity in livestock and building that in-country capability.”

Looking ahead, Mahony noted that fellows whose projects show strong potential could progress to PhD programs at UQ or the University of Melbourne, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the partnership’s impact.

Assoc. Prof. Surinder Singh Chauhan of the University of Melbourne highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort: 

“Together, we will co-design practical, locally driven capacity-building programs to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable agriculture in East Africa and Southeast Asia.”

The Australia–ILRI alliance marks a strategic investment in empowering the next generation of livestock researchers to develop innovations that bridge continents, linking science, sustainability, and resilience across Africa and Asia.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.