ILRI: mission, vision, programme and collaboration

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) began operations in 1995 with the consolidation of two Consultative Group on International Research (CGIAR) - sponsored livestock research centres: the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD), in Kenya, and the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA), in Ethiopia. Integration of the laboratory - based strategic research of the former with the field - based production system research of the latter created the first international research institute to address the severe problems of tropical animal agriculture in a holistic way. This paper outlines ILRI's vision and discusses programme, staff and products. The programmes include Biosciences, Sustainable Production Systems and Strengthning Partnerships with NARS.