It comprises four (4) divisions namely Non-Ruminant, Ruminant, Feed Resources Development, Livestock, Marketing and Processing.
The Non-Ruminant Division is responsible for the breeding, nutrition and proper management of pigs and poultry. The Ruminant Division is responsible for breeding, nutrition and management of cattle, sheep and goats. The Feed Resources Development Division is responsible for the development of feed resources including sowing of rangelands with improved legume seeds, seed production and commercial feed quality control. The Livestock, Marketing and Processing Division trains processors in modern dairy and meat processing into various products and facilitate marketing of livestock and livestock products.
The main function of the Directorate is to formulate and promote livestock policies, create an enabling environment for the use of appropriate and improved technologies and the coordination of livestock activities with other research Institutions and other directorates.
The Directorate also oversees the six (6) national nucleus livestock breeding stations which supply improved breeding stock to farmers.