The FAO/IAEA DGIS Coordinated research programmes on trypanosomiasis diagnosis and animal production in Africa

During the period 1987-1992, Professor Dick Zwart played a key role in guiding the work of two African research networks established by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division and supported financially by the Netherlands Directorate General of Development Co-operation. These networks brought together staff from African institutes involved in the diagnosis and control of trypanosomiasis and in animal production, with scientists from International Agricultural Research Centres and other advanced research institutions in the Netherlands and elsewhere. Through this approach, the value of recently-developed immunoassay methods was assessed for diagnosing trypanosomiasis and monitoring control programmes, and similar methods were used to monitor animal productivity and ways of improving this on small-holder farms. Furthermore it strengthened the portion together with the functioning of the national agriculture research institutions. This paper outlines the main technical and other accomplishments of these networks.