Addis Ababa: The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary, reflecting on a half-century of impactful contributions to Ethiopia’s livestock sector. During the anniversary event, State Minister of Agriculture Fikru Regassa highlighted ILRI’s vital role as a catalyst for transforming livestock-based livelihoods, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture in the country.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Fikru emphasized the substantial benefits Ethiopia has gained from ILRI’s research and capacity-building initiatives, particularly in the fields of animal genetics, health, and nutrition. Fikru noted that ILRI’s research has led to the development of superior livestock breeds, especially in dairy and poultry. He also pointed out significant advancements in animal health, focusing on food safety and addressing challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and disease management.
Additionally, ILRI has played a crucial role in developing bet
ter-adapted forages and advanced feed and nutrition practices, which have significantly boosted livestock productivity and improved the livelihoods of Ethiopian farmers. The State Minister remarked on ILRI’s efforts to support sustainable rangeland management, especially in pastoral areas, aiding Ethiopia in adapting to climate change challenges.
Beyond its research contributions, ILRI has invested heavily in capacity building, training Ethiopian researchers, extension workers, and farmers in essential areas such as animal genetics, health, and nutrition. This commitment has fostered the development of a skilled workforce within Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.
Namukolo Covic, ILRI’s Director General’s Representative to Ethiopia, reaffirmed the institute’s role as a driving force in enhancing livestock-based livelihoods and promoting sustainable agriculture both in Ethiopia and globally. She highlighted that ILRI’s research is strategically aligned with Ethiopia’s national development priorities, including t
he Yelemat Tirufat initiative, which aims to bolster food security, foster climate resilience, and stimulate economic growth.
Covic elaborated on ILRI’s partnerships with the Ethiopian government in shaping key national livestock strategies, such as the Ethiopia National Dairy Development Strategy, the Ethiopia National Poultry Development Strategy, and the Ethiopia Livestock Master Plan. These policy instruments aim to address critical challenges related to productivity, market access, and public health, paving the way for a sustainable future for Ethiopia’s livestock sector.
She also noted that ILRI’s Forage Genebank has significantly contributed to improving productivity, food security, and resilience within the livestock sector. ILRI was founded in 1973 through the establishment of the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) in Ethiopia and the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD) in 1974 in Kenya.