Subscribe

Back

Who we are

With research staff from more than 60 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

Ahmed Akhter

researcher spotlight

Akhter Ahmed

Akhter Ahmed is a Senior Research Fellow in the IFPRI’s Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion Unit and Country Representative for IFPRI Bangladesh. He has worked on strategies for agricultural and rural development, social protection, and women’s empowerment to reduce poverty, food insecurity, and undernutrition in developing countries including Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Malawi, the Philippines, and Turkey.

Back

What we do

Since 1975, IFPRI’s research has been informing policies and development programs to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the world.

Research topics

Projects and impact

Modeling tools

Project microsites

What’s new

Where we work

Back

Where we work

IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 80 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

IFPRI Regional Programs

IFPRI Country Programs

Research by country and region

Subscribe

experts

Markets, Trade, and Institutions

Vivian Hoffmann

Senior Research Fellow

Follow

Vivian

at:

ORCiD

Bio

Vivian Hoffmann is a Senior Research Fellow in the Markets, Trade, and Institutions Unit and an Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Much of Hoffmann’s research has focused on two themes: household preventive health behavior and farmer adoption of agricultural technologies. Current projects include randomized evaluations of agronomy training in Uganda, and interventions to improve food safety practices among meat processors and retailers in Kenya, Viet Nam, and Ethiopia. Hoffmann also serves as the Deputy Lead of the CGIAR One Health Initiative. She holds a PhD in Applied Economics from Cornell University.

Publications

CV

Publications

Resource thumbnail

Brief

Stakeholder feedback on a slaughterhouse hygiene intervention in western Kenya

2024Otoigo, Lilian; Jasada, Ijudai; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Kiarie, Alice; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.
Details

Stakeholder feedback on a slaughterhouse hygiene intervention in western Kenya

The intervention implemented evaluated through the Improving Hygiene Practices in Slaughterhouses in Western Kenya study (Ambler, et al., 2024) aimed to address poor hygiene practices in slaughterhouses, which contribute to foodborne illnesses and unsafe meat. Conducted in 140 slaughterhouses across 6 counties in Western Kenya, the intervention focused on training workers, provision of basic hygiene equipment, and the use of monetary incentives to improve compliance with recommended hygiene practices. After the intervention period, key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with stakeholders including six County Directors of Veterinary Services (CDVSs), nine sub-county veterinary Officers (SCVOs), one Public Health Officer (PHO), and ten meat inspectors (MIs). This report summarizes findings from the KIIs regarding perspectives on the intervention, sustainability, challenges with implementation, and provides a basis for recommendations on refining and scaling up or this approach.

Year published

2024

Authors

Otoigo, Lilian; Jasada, Ijudai; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Kiarie, Alice; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.

Citation

Otoigo, Lilian; Jasada, Ijudai; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Kiarie, Alice; and Cook, Elizabeth A.J. 2024. Stakeholder feedback on a slaughterhouse hygiene intervention in western Kenya. IFPRI Project Note December 2024. Washington, DC: Internaitonal Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/168518

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Eastern Africa; Capacity Building; Stakeholders; Abattoirs; Meat Hygiene; Food Hygiene

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Project

One Health

Record type

Brief

Resource thumbnail

Brief

Formative study on slaughterhouse hygiene in Western Kenya: Summary Report

2024Otoigo, Lilian; Alumasa, Lorren; Majiwa, Hamilton; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Kiarie, Alice; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.
Details

Formative study on slaughterhouse hygiene in Western Kenya: Summary Report

Slaughterhouses in Western Kenya face critical challenges, including inadequate hygiene practices, poor infrastructure, insufficient water supply, and weak enforcement of regulatory standards. These deficiencies contribute to meat contamination and the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, brucellosis, and anthrax, as well as foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella sp. and pathogenic E.coli. Globally, foodborne illnesses result in millions of illnesses and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, particularly among children under five. The public health and economic consequences of these risks in low and middle-income countries are significant (Havelaar et al., 2015; Jaffee et al., 2018). A qualitative study, based on interviews of key informants in the slaughter industry in Western Kenya and associated regulatory authorities, was undertaken in 2022 to document the state of slaughterhouse infrastructure and practices, explore barriers to compliance with regulatory standards, and identify practical solutions for improving conditions and enabling safer meat handling practices. This report summarizes the findings of that study and presents recommendations for interventions to improve slaughter hygiene practices.

Year published

2024

Authors

Otoigo, Lilian; Alumasa, Lorren; Majiwa, Hamilton; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Kiarie, Alice; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.

Citation

Otoigo, Lilian; Alumasa, Lorren; Majiwa, Hamilton; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Kiarie, Alice; and Cook, Elizabeth A.J. 2024. Formative study on slaughterhouse hygiene in Western Kenya: Summary Report. IFPRI Project Note December 2024. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/168525

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Abattoirs; Meat Industry; Hygiene; Food Safety; Contamination; Diseases; Regulations

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Project

One Health

Record type

Brief

Resource thumbnail

Brief

Impact of a slaughterhouse hygiene intervention in western Kenya

2024Ambler, Kate; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.; Hoffmann, Vivian; Kiarie, Alice; Otoigo, Lilian; Wagner, Julia
Details

Impact of a slaughterhouse hygiene intervention in western Kenya

Adherence to strict hygiene standards in slaughterhouses is critical for ensuring food safety and protecting workers from zoonotic disease. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) conducted a study to evaluate the impact of low-cost interventions on hygiene practices in slaughterhouses in western Kenya.

Year published

2024

Authors

Ambler, Kate; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.; Hoffmann, Vivian; Kiarie, Alice; Otoigo, Lilian; Wagner, Julia

Citation

Ambler, Kate; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.; Hoffmann, Vivian; Kiarie, Alice; Otoigo, Lilian; and Wagner, Julia. 2024. Impact of a slaughterhouse hygiene intervention in western Kenya. IFPRI Project Note December 2024. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/168522

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Eastern Africa; Capacity Building; Abattoirs; Meat Hygiene; Food Safety; Contamination

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Project

One Health

Record type

Brief

Blogs

Training Ugandan coffee farmers on agronomy practices more than pays for itself
IFPRI Blog
 | 
August 05, 2024

Training Ugandan coffee farmers on agronomy practices more than pays for itself

By Vivian Hoffmann

Promise for boosting yields and income.

World Food Safety Day 2024: Empowering consumers and small businesses with information
IFPRI Blog
 | 
June 06, 2024

World Food Safety Day 2024: Empowering consumers and small businesses with information

By Vivian Hoffmann

Targeting interventions to benefit public health.

The challenges of influencing consumer behavior to improve food safety
IFPRI Blog
 | 
August 31, 2020

The challenges of influencing consumer behavior to improve food safety

By Vivian Hoffmann and Emily Wu

Two studies in Kenya examine risk perceptions of aflatoxin in maize.

View all Blogs

Events

Implications of El Niño 2023/24 for Africa South of the Sahara
IFPRI Policy Seminar

 | 

November 29, 2023, 7:30 – 9:00 am

Implications of El Niño 2023/24 for Africa South of the Sahara

Virtual Event: November 29, 2023 at 7:30am-9:00am EST. IFPRI in collaboration with USAID FEWS NET and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, is hosting a presentation on the potential impact of the upcoming El Niño on the global agrifood system, with special emphasis on low-income countries in Africa South of the Sahara. The event will be organized around four short talks.

5th Annual Agriculture, Nutrition & Health (ANH) Academy Week
IFPRI Program/Country Event

 | 

June 30 to July 2, 2020

5th Annual Agriculture, Nutrition & Health (ANH) Academy Week

IFPRI is participating in ANH Academy Week that will bring together a community of researchers, practitioners and policymakers from across the world working at the intersection of agriculture, nutrition and health to foster knowledge exchange, innovation and learning, touching on COVID-19’s impacts on our shared work. Presenter(s) Title Date Time John McDermott Welcome Remarks  30-Jun  9:00am John […]

2018 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

August 5 to 7, 2018

2018 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting

IFPRI will participate in the 2018 AAEA meeting. The AAEA addresses agricultural economics, international and rural development, and more.

View all Events

News

January 13, 2020 | In the News

Kenyans love maize. But aflatoxins are making it dangerous (BMJ Journals)

BMJ Journals reported on the dangers and ways to prevent aflatoxin poisoning. The findings from two IFPRI studies were referenced in the article, the first by Research Fellows Vivian Hoffmann and Jef Leroy and Kelly Jones, The impact of reducing dietary aflatoxin exposure on child linear growth: a cluster randomised controlled trial in Kenya, and […]

November 26, 2019 | In the News

What must be done to get toxin out of Kenya’s food supply (The Conversation)

The Conversation published a Q & A article with Research Fellow Vivian Hoffmann on her insights about aflatoxins, a poisonous, toxic chemical produced by a fungus (Aspergillus flavus). Aflatoxins are found in many of Kenya’s popular maize flour brands. Hoffman discusses how to reduce and eventually eliminate aflatoxins in food and the roles that farmers, […]