ILRI@50 in India

General information

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), a global research institute for livestock sector research and development under the umbrella of CGIAR, is celebrating 50 years of its existence in various parts of Asia and Africa in 2024. ILRI is a not-for-profit international livestock research organization established by an agreement signed by the governments of Kenya, Ethiopia, Denmark, Sweden, the Swiss Confederation and the United Nations Environment Programme. ILRI has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and is co-hosted by the Government of Kenya and Ethiopia. It was established in 1994 by merging two international research institutes namely the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD), established in 1973 and the International Livestock Center for Africa (ILCA), established in 1974. 

The livestock sector in India contributes significantly to national and agricultural GDPs and is crucial to livelihoods, women’s empowerment, poverty reduction, and human food and nutritional security. Providing livelihood to two-thirds of the rural community, livestock plays an important role in the Indian economy. Its share in the agricultural GDP has shown steady improvement over the years. Livestock’s contribution goes beyond direct food production to include multipurpose uses, such as skins, fibre, fertilizer and fuel. Furthermore, livestock is intricately linked to the social and cultural existence of several million farmers, for whom owning animals ensures varying degrees of agricultural sustainability and financial security.

Objectives of the celebration

To commemorate ILRI’s 50 years of glorious presence, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the hosting organization of ILRI in India, and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Govt. of India, the key national partner of ILRI in implementing its activities in various states of India, have come together to celebrate “ILRI@ 50” event in New Delhi. The event is also an opportunity to set the stage for a shared vision among the important stakeholders, donors, and partners for livestock sector research and development in India. Together, we aim to understand and identify the areas of mutual interest, share insights, and explore possibilities of working together towards achieving the common goal of livestock development in the country. It is intended to achieve the objective through a half-day Policy Workshop on “Organisational/Institutional Livestock Research & Development Priorities for India”. 

The ILRI@50 celebration aims to:

•  Celebrate the 50 years of livestock research and development accomplishments of ILRI, emphasizing the contributions to livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability in India and around the world. 
• Announce and Promote ILRI’s new strategy for 2024-2030, “Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Livestock through Research for Better Lives and a Greener Planet,” which highlights the institute's dedication to changing livestock systems to satisfy the rising demand for animal products while tackling environmental and climate issues.
• Requesting cooperation, involvement, and support to implement ILRI's new organizational approach on a worldwide scale.
• Involve stakeholders, such as scientists, policymakers, partners, collaborators, etc., to promote discussion on the direction of livestock systems and research.

Target Audience

The event will draw participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Government Officials and Policymakers: To explore policy frameworks that support sustainable livestock development.
• Donors and Partners: Longstanding collaborators who contribute to ILRI’s success in research and funding.
• Scientists and Researchers: To discuss future research directions and innovations in livestock systems.
• Other CGIAR Centers: To foster collaboration and showcase collective achievements in agricultural research for development.
• ILRI Staff: Past and present employees who have contributed to the institute’s success over the last five decades.