Termite infestation is symptomatic of severe land degradation in many semi-arid regions of the Nile Basin. One characteristic of land degradation is low organic matter (OM) reserves in vegetative biomass and soil. One consequence is excessive rainwater depletion through non-productive evaporation and runoff leading to low agricultural water productivity and diminished livelihoods. CPWF research demonstrated that rapid restoration of pasture production is possible by providing manure through night corralling of cattle prior to re-seeding termite affected rangeland in Uganda.

This document is divided in four parts. The first part, external influences shaping ILRI's strategy, discusses the role of livestock in poverty alleviation, food and nutritional security, the environment and human health, livestock demand and production trends, productivity challenge, evolution of livestock systems, trends in science and information technologies and stakeholders for international livestock research. The second part highlights rationale for strategic choices while the third part outlines the strategic choices.