Building farmer resilience and strengthening food systems by improving animal health
USAID Transformational Strategies for Farm Output Risk Mitigation (TRANSFORM)
At Cargill, we work with farmers to build a resilient agriculture industry by focusing on the most pressing sustainability challenges facing the world today – emerging zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance are among them. Transboundary animal diseases – the spread of disease from one animal to another – can decimate farmers’ flocks and herds. Over 70% of emerging diseases are zoonotic – capable of spreading from an animal to human. And, the more we use antibiotics for animal agriculture, the more we struggle with antimicrobial resistance threatening our ability to treat infections in humans and animals.
It’s estimated that by 2050 we will need to produce 60% more food to feed a world population of 9.3 billion. At the same time, without action, antimicrobial resistance is projected to cause an 11% loss in global livestock production by 2050 – causing a major hit to the food production and farmer livelihoods.
Healthy animals reduce the need for antibiotics. And Cargill understands that healthy animals are critical to dietary diversity, resilient food systems and thriving local economies. That’s why, through the USAID Global Health Security TRANSFORM activity, Cargill is researching and developing market-driven solutions that improve animal health – an effort that is contributing to global health security and increasing access to safe, affordable animal-sourced nutrition.
Ag is how we come together to help address global health challenges
TRANSFORM is a public private partnership working in Kenya, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam to increase the capacity of small- and large-scale farmers, governments, and agribusinesses to prevent emerging zoonoses and transboundary animal disease and mitigate antimicrobial resistance. All-the-while, we remain focused on the productivity and profitability of farmers. In doing so, we strengthen agricultural supply chains in an economically and sustainable way that helps build more resilient farms and communities.
Using Research and Development to deliver innovative solutions that meet market needs
Agribusiness regularly uses research and development to test agricultural products and services in market before bringing them to scale. Cargill knows this is critical for long-term market uptake. The same is true for TRANSFORM. This project is using research and development to advance sustainable solutions that improve animal health so significantly that the risk of disease is considerably lower, animal production is considerably higher, the use of antibiotics is significantly reduced. Partnering with farmers – the foundation of a resilient supply chain – is essential to the success of this work.
A public-private sector consortium
TRANSFORM is driven by a consortium of private and public sector organizations working to create shared value – because strengthening the market drives the opportunity for all. Each of the following members contributes unique expertise and capabilities.
- U.S. Agency for International Development, leads international development and humanitarian efforts. The USAID Global Health Security Agenda is advancing initiatives like TRANSFORM to build better preparedness for future health threats and invest in "One Health" approaches that recognize that the future well-being of humans, animals, and the environment are linked.
- CARGILL, a global agribusiness company, contributes its relationships to farms of all sizes across multiple species and offers products, services, and solutions that support animal health by balancing gut microbiota and the immune system.
- AUSVET, a global consulting company specializing in One Health epidemiology, disease surveillance tools and health information systems, contributes its field data collection and information system and epidemiological expertise.
- HEIFER INTERNATIONAL, a global non-governmental organization working to end hunger and poverty through agriculture, contributes to relationships with smallholder farmers across the world.
- INTERNATIONAL POULTRY COUNCIL, a global industry membership organization, contributes by bringing together poultry stakeholders from all continents, representing the value chain from genetics to consumption, and working to proactively address shared challenges and opportunities.
Want to learn more? Contact Jason Shelton, Chief of Party: [email protected]