LIVESTOCK TRAINING AGENCY
(LITA)
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONThe contribution of livestock sector to the National economy cannot be overemphasized. To make the sector vibrant, the Government among other efforts has been conducting training of extension officers, farmers and other stakeholders through its six Livestock Training Institutes (LITIs) namely, Mpwapwa, Morogoro, Tengeru, Madaba, Temeke and Buhuri. However, these Institutes could not perform efficiently and effectively due to a number of challenges including; inadequate human resource, low retention of staff, unmotivated staff, infrastructure, inadequate teaching facilities and financial resource. This called for a deliberate initiative by the Government to strengthen these Institutes.
As a way of addressing the above challenges, the Government through the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development decided to establish Livestock Training Agency (LITA). The Agency has been formed by merging the six Livestock Training Institutes (LITIs) which is in line with the Executive Agencies Act Cap 245 (R.E. 2009) by expanding and improving the scope and mandates of the institutes. The Agency aims at improving performance in provision of quality training, production, applied research and consultancy services in areas of animal health and production.
AIMThe aim of LITA is to provide knowledge and skills on livestock development to customers through training, production, and applied research and consultancy services for sustainable development of the livestock sector.
ROLES AND FUNCTIONSThe major role of LITA is to implement Livestock development objectives as expressed in the National Livestock Policy (2006) and Ministry’s Strategic Plans. Specifically, the roles and functions of the Agency are to;
i. Provide quality training on animal health and production;
ii. Produce quality livestock, livestock products and by products;
iii. Provide quality consultancy and advisory services on animal health and production;
iv. Conduct applied research in the field of animal health and production;
v. Disseminate applied research findings to customers;
vi. Promote Agency’s functions, products and services;
vii. Promote production, utilisation and conservations of animal feed resources (pasture and forage);
viii. Establish and foster closer cooperation with national and international stakeholders;
ix. Ensure the Agency addresses crosscutting issues (environmental conservations, HIV/AIDS, gender, diversity, good governance) in its operations; and
x. Promote development of human resource.
VISIONThe vision of LITA is to become a centre of excellence in livestock training and related services by 2025.
MISSIONTo provide quality livestock training and education, applied research, consultancy and dissemination of appropriate technologies to the public through improved service delivery.
OBJECTIVESThe objectives of LITA are as listed below:
i. Enrollment of trainees for long and short animal health and production training programs increased;
ii. Productivity of Agency farms improved;
iii. Applied research and consultancy services conducted;
iv. Infrastructure to provide services improved
v. Financial management improved;
vi. Human resource management strengthened;
vii. Performance management systems strengthened; and
viii. Crosscutting issues (HIV/AIDS, gender, diversity, good governance, and environment) addressed.