Teko Livestock Research Centre

The Teko Livestock Research Centre (TLRC) is a livestock research facility under the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI). Its mission is to uphold the highest standards of excellence in livestock research both in Sierra Leone and beyond, while promoting intellectual and personal development through the generation of innovative technologies and their dissemination to farmers.

As the only constituent livestock centre of SLARI still in its development phase, TLRC’s primary objective is to conduct research aimed at increasing the productivity of poultry, small and large ruminants, swine, and other non-conventional animals to meet the protein needs of the country’s population. Currently, the centre is engaged in various development activities, including animal production, the collection of essential livestock data, capacity building (human resources), and forage establishment at its sub-station in Musaia, Falaba District.

The TLRC has a total staff of 49 (20 senior and senior supporting staff and 29 junior staff), headed by an acting Officer in Charge. Various other units exist, including the administrative unit, finance unit, poultry unit, small ruminants unit, non-conventional unit, piggery unit, forage unit, nutrition unit, farm management unit, animal health unit, animal traction unit, and extension unit.

Historical Background

The Teko Livestock Station in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, was established in the mid-1930s to provide animal health services to livestock farmers in Sierra Leone and The Gambia. It was led by a resident Chief Veterinary Officer.
The department’s objective was to address animal health issues, reduce mortality among livestock, and increase production. In order to achieve this goal, a well-equipped veterinary laboratory was established at the station in the late 1940s. This laboratory provided diagnostic facilities, vaccine production, and training for junior extension staff.
As a result, livestock farmers benefited from annual vaccinations for their animals, timely treatments, and advice on animal health and production practices.

Mandate

• To conduct training in livestock management and care. 
• To engage in research and promote innovation in the field. 
• To provide consultancy services to livestock farmers regarding production and health. 
• To support the development and growth of micro-enterprises by offering consultancy services to entrepreneurs within the local community and beyond. 
• To foster partnerships with industry and other institutions to promote quality and relevant training.

Mission Statement

The programme is expected to contribute to the delivery of the overall institutional specific objective through the generation and promotion of innovative livestock technologies and the empowerment of stakeholders. The Programme shall deliver this purpose through the attainment of the following five strategic results:

Strategic Result Areas

1. Appropriate Livestock product value chain technologies and innovations generated and promoted.
2. Appropriate markets and marketing strategies for enhancing Livestock product value chains developed and promoted.
3. Appropriate policy options for enhancing Livestock product value chains are facilitated and advocated
4. Capacity for implementing Livestock product value chains research strengthened.
5. Appropriate mechanisms for managing, sharing and up-scaling Livestock knowledge, information and technologies established and operationalized.

The Livestock Programme focuses on seven (7) product value chains, which include;

• Development and promotion of the poultry product value chains
• Development and promotion of the goat product value chains
• Development and promotion of the sheep product value chains
• Development and promotion of the pig product value chains
• Development and promotion of the beef product value chains
• Development and promotion of the milk product value chains
• Development and promotion of the non-conventional animal value chains.

Priority Areas of Operation (2017 – 2021)

1. Focus on Specific Livestock Commodities
2. Focus on Research and Development Activities along the livestock commodity Value Chains
3. Capacity Building of Scientists and Laboratory Technicians
4. Partnership Development
5. Technology Transfer
6. Strengthen Socio-Economic and Outreach
7. Operating a Commercial Processing Centre

Thematic Areas

Currently, five (5) thematic areas exist, and they are;

1. Genetics and animal production
2. Animal health
3. Animal nutrition and forage production
4. Processing and value addition
5. Non-conventional animal