Its goal is to create bacteriocin-rich extracts from specially engineered lactic acid bacteria.

Nigeria is stepping up its fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with an innovative agricultural research project aimed at finding safer, home-grown replacements for antibiotics commonly used in livestock and fish farming

A team of scientists from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Spain are joining forces at the University of Ilorin to develop a locally produced and affordable solution that supports farmers while protecting animal health.

The project, named BAC4RumA, is funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF). Its goal is to create bacteriocin-rich extracts from specially engineered lactic acid bacteria - natural substances that can effectively replace antibiotics in treating diseases in cattle and fish.

Project leader in Nigeria, Dr. Ismail Odetokun, explained that early laboratory results are encouraging. The new extracts have shown stronger results than traditional antibiotics in tackling infections such as mastitis in cattle and bacterial diseases in fish. According to him, the research team is now preparing for field trials, with many farmers already showing interest in adopting these safer and more sustainable solutions.

Highlighting the growing danger of AMR, Najete Safini of IDRC described it as a “silent pandemic” that threatens both food production and public health. She emphasised the need to build Nigeria’s own capacity to respond, saying that home-grown solutions would offer stronger, long-term protection for the nation’s food systems.

 Mahmoud Eltholth of Royal Holloway University of London added that the partnership focuses on sustainability by empowering Nigerian scientists and research institutions to develop animal health innovations locally, reducing dependence on imported drugs.

With livestock and aquaculture contributing over US$33 trillion to Nigeria’s economy annually, experts believe this research could transform the agricultural sector. By providing farmers with safer alternatives to antibiotics, the project has the potential to boost productivity, protect animal welfare, and safeguard millions of livelihoods.

If successful, the BAC4RumA initiative could position Nigeria as a leading example for other African countries seeking to reduce antibiotic use in agriculture while strengthening their food security and export potential.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a serious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals.

The Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Board (RAB) has imposed an immediate suspension on the movement of livestock in Kanama, Nyakiliba, and Kanzenze sectors of Rubavu District after a confirmed outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

The precautionary move aims to protect farmers’ livelihoods and prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading to other regions.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, 21 October, all movement and trade involving cows, goats, sheep, and pigs are temporarily banned. The restrictions also extend to the sale and transportation of animal products such as meat, milk, and skins. These measures are part of a nationwide effort to safeguard Rwanda’s livestock sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s food security and rural economy.

"Farmers with sick animals, suspected or developing symptoms of the illness are requested to be separated from other herds and report to the veterinary officer at the sector level,” the statement reads in part.

To strengthen control efforts, RAB has ordered that all cattle aged six months and above across Rubavu District be vaccinated every six months. Animals suspected of coming into contact with infected livestock will also be separated and quarantined to curb transmission.

The institution further cautioned that anyone ignoring these prevention measures will face penalties as outlined in Rwanda’s law governing the control of contagious animal diseases.

Local authorities have been called upon to play an active role in enforcing these guidelines. They are urged to conduct regular disinfection campaigns and closely monitor farmers to ensure that no contact occurs between healthy and infected animals.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a serious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals and can lead to significant production losses through reduced milk yield, weight loss, and restricted trade opportunities. By acting quickly, the Rwandan government aims to minimise economic losses and maintain the health of livestock, which remains a backbone of many rural households.

RAB’s swift intervention highlights the importance of cooperation between farmers, veterinarians, and local leaders in protecting the nation’s agricultural sector.

Aquatic foods play a vital role in providing high-quality protein and essential nutrients needed to combat malnutrition.

A new partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) has been launched to improve access to safe, affordable, and nutritious aquatic foods for vulnerable communities across Africa and Latin America

The initiative, titled New Aquatic Food Value Chains for Sustainable Healthy Diets in Fragile Contexts (NAVAC), aims to enhance food security, support local economies, and drive innovation within aquatic food systems.

Backed by a €20mn contribution from the EU and an additional US$500,000 from FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme, NAVAC will run from 2025 to 2030 in Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, South Sudan, and Colombia.

“The main aim of NAVAC is to expand the supply of sustainable, affordable, safe and nutritious aquatic foods and ensure that it reaches nutritionally vulnerable populations while at the same time providing economic benefits to local communities through Blue Transformation innovations in aquatic food value chains,” said Godfrey Magwenzi, Deputy Director-General of FAO.

Aquatic foods play a vital role in providing high-quality protein and essential nutrients needed to combat malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant women, and other at-risk groups. Despite their benefits, these resources often remain underutilised in national food and nutrition strategies.

NAVAC is closely aligned with FAO’s Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life – ensuring that no one is left behind. It also contributes to FAO’s Blue Transformation agenda, which seeks to build more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient aquatic food systems.

“NAVAC promotes innovative and integrated approaches to value chain development, from ‘net to plate’, ensuring that interventions advance food security and nutrition outcomes, strengthen livelihoods and enhance environmental sustainability,” said Annette Schneegans, Deputy Permanent Representative of the European Union to FAO. “It reflects the European Union’s commitment to the Global Gateway strategy,” she added.

FAO will lead the project in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark. Initial efforts will focus on assessing aquatic food value chains in each target country to identify opportunities and challenges. Based on these insights, the project will design tailored strategies to improve production, processing, and distribution, ensuring that nutritious aquatic foods reach those who need them most.

Drawing on lessons from the FISH4ACP initiative, NAVAC aims to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture sectors, helping rural communities achieve better nutrition, income stability, and sustainable livelihoods.

FAO is setting a rhythm for global collaboration and accountability in the feed sector.

The global conversation around food security, sustainability, and agriculture just got sharper and it starts with what we’re feeding our animals

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has kicked off its 2025 Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators, placing safe, sustainable feed production at the heart of agricultural transformation.

In a sector worth over US$400bn annually, producing 1 billion tonnes of feed and employing more than 250,000 professionals worldwide, the stakes have never been higher. The message from FAO Director-General QU Dongyu was clear: “This is where the role of feed regulators is crucial and is why FAO has convened this Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators.”

Held at FAO headquarters in Rome as part of Livestock Week, the two-day forum brought together policymakers, scientists, producers, and industry experts to address a critical but often overlooked pillar of food production animal feed. The Director-General called for stronger cooperation to boost feed availability, manage grasslands wisely, and reduce the environmental footprint of livestock systems, which are essential to both rural livelihoods and planetary health.

At the heart of the discussions: safety, traceability, and sustainability. Contaminants like mycotoxins, microplastics, and chemical residues don’t just harm animals - they threaten human health, disrupt international trade, and undermine consumer trust. Poorly managed feed chains contribute to deforestation, emissions, and biodiversity loss. And in many regions, feed legislation still lags behind international standards such as the Codex Alimentarius.

“There’s a need for science-based policies and regulations to manage feed systems wisely – protecting health, supporting trade, boosting productivity, and building resilience,” QU Dongyu stated. He also emphasised the importance of inclusivity, ensuring small and medium-sized farmers gain access to safe, affordable feed and services.

This year’s forum builds on momentum from 2023, offering a platform for real-world solutions. Key themes include increasing feed availability through locally-sourced ingredients, such as pasture, grains, and circular economy inputs, and scaling up innovative feed technologies that enhance productivity while lowering environmental costs.

One of the key outcomes? The identification of FAO Reference Centres for Animal Feed – collaborative hubs linking regulators, laboratories, researchers, and private stakeholders to fast-track innovation and global best practices in feed safety.

With plans to host the forum every two years, FAO is setting a rhythm for global collaboration and accountability in the feed sector. For farmers, feed manufacturers, and regulators alike, this marks a vital step toward a more secure, equitable, and climate-smart agricultural future.