NISIR
ASRC Centre
ASRC Centre
Advancing livestock health, biotechnology, food safety, and vector-borne disease control for sustainable development.
1960s: Established as the Agriculture Research Council (crop & livestock research).
Later: Transitioned to Livestock Productivity and Disease Control Programme (LPDCP) – dedicated focus on livestock health & reproduction, especially in traditional/peasant sector.
Programmes to Centres: Became Livestock and Pest Research Centre.
Present: Animal Science Research Centre (ASRC) – delivering science-based solutions for sustainable livestock production.
To advance livestock productivity, animal health, and food safety through cutting-edge research, innovative biotechnology solutions, and sustainable disease control strategies that benefit Zambian farmers and communities.
Three strategic pillars driving animal science innovation and national impact
GMO detection, biosafety, molecular biology, phytoremediation, and analytical services.
Food safety, aflatoxin biocontrol, mycotoxin monitoring, nuclear & isotopic techniques.
Tephrosia-based pesticides, tick-borne disease control, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS).
The Biosafety Act promotes public awareness of GMO issues, consultative services, and liability mechanisms. The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) adopted a precautionary principle: No approval for transfer, use, and release of GMOs until sufficient evidence of safety.
📊 GM Testing Outputs: Data informs GM regulation | Export/import certification | Consumer choice
Established in 1981 under LPDCP following a serious contamination of relief maize with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins (highly toxic fungal metabolites) contaminate maize, groundnuts, beans – a persistent food safety problem in tropical regions.
Mitigation using biocontrol & management practices in maize & groundnut value chains.
Strengthening analytical capacity to monitor food contaminants using nuclear/isotopic tools.
National mycotoxin monitoring programme (maize & groundnuts). Satellite labs in Choma and Kasama.
Determining prevalence of pesticides, aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone.
The programme has significant history in livestock disease productivity – identification, elucidation and solutions for problems affecting livestock health and reproduction. Utilization of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and sustainable biodiversity use are flagship programmes.
Scientifically validated as effective against ticks. Propagated for controlling livestock disease vectors.
Students from CBU, UNZA, Evelyn Hone College gain practical laboratory skills in molecular biology, mycotoxin analysis, and food safety.
Impact: Skilled graduates & strengthened national research capacity.
Partners: IAEA, ARC-OVI, CVRI, National Biosafety Authority, Universities (CBU/UNZA). Satellite laboratories in Choma and Kasama.