By Onome Amuge
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) board of trustees and Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) have appointed Appolinaire Djikeng as director general of ILRI and CGIAR senior director of livestock-based systems.
Djikeng is a globally-recognised expert in developing multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, and global research and development programs focused on agricultural development, livestock development, and human health.
Notably, he is the first African to be appointed director general of ILRI and will assume the post on April 3, 2023.He will take over from Shirley Tarawali, who is currently interim director general at ILRI. Tarawali assumed the lead from Jimmy Smith, who retired in December 2022 after 11 years of outstanding leadership.
Djikeng previously worked with ILRI from 2009-2016 as technology manager and then director of the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA)-ILRI Hub. He joins ILRI and CGIAR from the University of Edinburgh, where he is currently professor and Chair of Tropical Agriculture and Sustainable Development, as well as the director, Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) basedat the Roslin Institute in the United Kingdom.
He will retain his affiliation with the Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh to strengthen the partnership with ILRI and the CGIAR system.
The agricultural development and human health expert has received numerous awards, including the 2020 Nelson Mandela Justice Award. He was also recognized by the Decade of Health as one of the 10 people in the United Kingdom changing health.
In his new role, Djikeng is expected to expand ILRI’s proven track record of impact, developing livestock sustainable systems that help nourish and sustain millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. His role also includes providing leadership and coordination of activities related to livestock systems across CGIAR and being part of the CGIAR Senior Leadership Team.
Commenting on his new appointment, Djikeng expressed his deep commitment to the mission of ILRI and CGIAR.
“ Livestock development is very close to me personally and it is a huge honor and privilege to take the helm of the world’s leading livestock research and development organisation, focused on improving outcomes for farmers, addressing challenges related to our environment and the sustainable use of natural resources, and delivering solutions to our increasingly vulnerable food systems,” he said.
“Professor Djikeng’s research has been at the forefront of efforts to improve livestock systems and animal productivity for low- and middle-income countries. We are delighted to welcome a high-profile scientist and leader of Professor Djikeng’s calibre whose exemplary leadership skills and scientific expertise will drive ILRI’s continuing success,” he remarked.
Claudia Sadoff, CGIAR executive managing director, pointed out that transforming food, land and water systems cannot be done without sustainably transforming the livestock sector. “Livestock systems play a central role in CGIAR’s research agenda and Professor Djikeng’s record of strategic innovation, impact and cross-cutting research perfectly position him to champion livestock across CGIAR,” Sadoff noted.
