THE Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has urged Livestock Training Agency (LITA) to intensify efforts in helping local livestock keepers adopt modern farming practices.

The appeal was made at the weekend by Dr. Charles Mhina, Director of Administration and Human Resources Management at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries during a special meeting to review the outcomes of LITA’s 12th meeting.

 Dr. Mhina emphasized that LITA, as a state-owned agency responsible for providing high-quality livestock training, must invest further in modern infrastructure and community engagement to support pastoralists.

 "You have a critical role to play in offering training to livestock keepers, especially by modernizing infrastructure and involving communities in providing education on livestock management," he said.

 While acknowledging LITA's contributions to improving Tanzania’s socioeconomic landscape, Dr. Mhina, pointed out that many livestock keepers continue to rely on outdated practices. This, he stressed, requires professional intervention to improve productivity.

 He also expressed concern about some LITA employees failing to adhere to the established code of conduct and public service laws, highlighting how negligence hinders the sector’s progress.

 In response, LITA Executive Director Dr. Pius Mwambene assured that the agency would implement the directives promptly. 

"We have received your directives and will start sharing our annual strategic plans with your office," he said, pledging to ensure that staff across all departments comply with the code of conduct and public service ethics.

 LITA, established as a government executive agency under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in 1997, is tasked with providing high-quality livestock training, applied research, consultancy services and livestock products development and production.