LLDP and Ministry of Agriculture Team Engage SLARI on Strategic Partnership for Livestock Development

In a significant step towards strengthening the agricultural value chain, focusing on commercializing livestock production, boosting rural income, and enhancing food security in Sierra Leone under the pillar 3 of the Feed Salone strategy, a delegation from the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) paid a strategic visit to the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) Headquarters on Tuesday, 5^th May 2026, to engage SLARI Management and the leadership of the Teko Livestock Research Centre (TLRC) on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The meeting, held at SLARI Headquarters, focused on discussions surrounding the MoU earlier submitted to SLARI. The engagement provided an opportunity for both institutions to review the proposed areas of collaboration and align expectations ahead of the formal signing of the agreement.

The proposed partnership seeks to strengthen technical service delivery and research collaboration between SLARI and LLDP in advancing livestock systems in Sierra Leone. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to improving livestock productivity, strengthening value chains, enhancing food and nutrition security, and creating livelihood opportunities for rural households, particularly women and youth. According to the MoU, the collaboration will support adaptive research on improved livestock breeds, feed and fodder production systems, animal health, climate-smart livestock practices, capacity building, and the strengthening of the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Teko Livestock Research Centre.

Welcoming the delegation, SLARI Management reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to supporting national agricultural transformation through science-driven research and innovation. Discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration between research institutions and development projects in addressing long-standing challenges affecting the livestock sector, including low productivity, weak veterinary services, inadequate feed systems, and limited market opportunities for livestock farmers.

The engagement further highlighted the strategic role of Teko Livestock Research Centre as Sierra Leone’s key institution for livestock research, disease diagnostics, breeding, and technical backstopping to the sector. Management from SLARI headquarters and Teko provided updates on the Centre’s current operations, achievements, and pressing infrastructural and technical needs.

As part of the engagement process, the discussions culminated in a field visit to the Teko Livestock Research Centre on Saturday, 9^th May 2026. The delegation from LLDP, MAFS, and SLARI conducted an inspection of the Centre’s existing facilities to assess its operational readiness and identify areas requiring support before the formal signing of the MoU.

During the visit, the team toured key facilities at the Centre, including livestock production units, laboratories, and research infrastructure, while holding discussions on how the proposed collaboration could improve technical capacity, research outputs, and service delivery within the livestock sector.

The visit demonstrated a shared commitment between LLDP, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and SLARI to foster strategic partnerships that support evidence-based livestock development and sustainable agricultural growth in Sierra Leone.