ZIL - Schweizerisches Zentrum für Internationale Landwirtwschaft

• Research unit: SDC
• Project number: 7F-04018.04

Key words (German)

Forschungszusammenarbeit
ETH
CGIAR
NARES
biowirtschaft und nachhaltige Nutzung
natürliche Ressourcen
Futterproduktion
Futtermittelqualität
Verbesserung der Lebensbedingung von ländlichen Haustieren
ZIL
Zentrum für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Agronomie
Zootechnik
Tierzucht
Tierhaltung
Biotechnologie
Entwicklungshilfe
Agrarwirtschaft

Short description (English)

The Swiss Centre for International Agriculture (ZIL), an association at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ), aims to harness Swiss scientific resources to promote sustainable use of natural resources in agriculture and forestry in non-OECD countries. Through co-operation with international and national partners, ZIL convenes strategic research for sustainable food production and availability in developing countries.

Project aims (English)

The principal benefit of this project to SDC and its target population (poor rural households in developing countries) is that it levers and helps to focus financial and scientific resources towards the challenges faced by developing countries - and this well in excess of the initial investment by SDC. The project strengthens partnerships with research centres in developing countries, and builds human capacities in science for development. The expected research will ultimately result in strategies and technologies for improved productivity and efficiency of livestock systems, for more balanced human nutrition, for poverty alleviation and for sustainable use of natural resources in this process. Beyond this, ZIL has a direct service function to SDC in that it carries out specific studies to underpin SDC's agricultural strategy, organises conferences and technical meetings, and manages SDC's research fellowship programme for agriculture, forestry and environment.