Location: Chilanga

The programme mandate is to provide quality and effective research and development services to the livestock sector for improved agricultural production and food security

The programme is carrying out four projects:

Formulation of Pesticides against cereal storage pests using local talc

The aim of this project is to formulate pesticides for the preservation of cereals using the local talc as a carrier of active ingredients.

The is collaboration on this project with Mineral Development Corporation (MINDECO)

The project activities involve characterisation of talc by the Nuclear Energy Applications and Analytical Services programme; rearing Sitophilus granarius weevils, infesting grain with the weevils and mortality counts.

This is being done comparatively using Malathion, Deltamethrin and Apha Cypermethrin. The results are further compared with the performance of commercially available products based on the mentioned active ingredients.

Improvement of Livestock productivity through an integrated application of appropriate Technologies

The institute is carrying out this project in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The project objectives are to improve animal productivity and increase food security by increasing the productivity and profitability of milk and meat production.

Project activities are clustered around problem identification through Rapid Rural Appraisals; formulation of remedial measures using appropriate strategies; providing routine service to farmers in early diagnosis of non-pregnancy, infertility and heat detection; artificial insemination; and training of farmers and extension workers in management practices.

Development of feeding strategies for smallholder dairy farmers in Njolwe and Palabana

The main objective of this project is to improve household food security and income generation among small scale farmers through increased productivity and marketing of livestock and developing sustainable feeding and breeding strategies based on increased use of indigenous resources.

The Institute is collaborating with the University of Zambia, School of Agriculture, and Department of Animal Science

The activities of the project involve nutrition and breeding studies.

Building capacity for increased cattle production in the traditional sector of Mumbwa District

The overall objective is to alleviate poverty and ensure household food security by developing appropriate sustainable technologies for increased livestock production in the traditional sector of Mumbwa District.

The project activities are intended to develop Community Animal Health Workers and inventorise, validate and promote usage of indigenous plant remedies for cattle diseases.

It is hoped that a healthy population of cattle will increase incomes and draft power for crop production thereby alleviating poverty.

Improving Community Livelihoods through Research, Development and Innovation in controlling vector–borne diseases in Southern Africa.

The overall goal of this NEPAD/SANbio programme is to reduce the impact of vector-borne diseases on livestock productivity and livelihoods of poor people in Southern Africa by 2015.