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Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rose Sakala, has called for the establishment of a regional center of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) to tackle pressing issues in the livestock and agriculture sectors across Southern Africa.
During a panel discussion marking ILRI’s 50th anniversary, Sakala, also Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union, praised the institute’s commitment to supporting farmers and boosting resilience in agriculture.
She noted that Zambia, like many African nations, faces severe climate impacts, according to a statement released in Lusaka on Thursday by Inutu Mwanza, First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in Addis Ababa.
“Zambia recently experienced its worst drought, with food production for the 2023/24 season projected at nearly 50 percent below average,” Sakala highlighted.
She also revealed that certain provinces had suffered significant livestock losses due to limited grazing resources.
The Ambassador underscored the need for stronger collaboration between ILRI and the Zambian government.
She proposed exchange visits involving institutions like the Natural Resource Development College (NRDC), University of Zambia, Zambia National Service, and Zambia Correctional Service.
“This collaboration will drive skill and knowledge transfer, empowering Zambia to adopt best practices in scientific innovation and partnerships that can transform agro-food systems across agriculture, green economy, fisheries, and livestock sectors,” she said.
The ILRI 50th Anniversary celebration took place under the theme “Unlocking Sustainable Livestock Potential through Research for Better Lives and a Better Planet.”
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