Animal production vision and strategy for

Ethiopia

ISBN: 92–9146–409–0

Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) works with the vision of creating market-led modern agriculture and a society free
of poverty. To this effect, the ministry strives to promote market-oriented modern agricultural system; conserve,
develop and use the natural resources; build the capacity of disaster prevention and preparedness and empower
women and youth in development. http://www.moa.gov.et/home

ETHIO PIA L IVES TO C K MASTER P LAN B ACKGROUND PAP ER

The Improving the Productivity and Market Success of Ethiopian Farmers (IPMS) project, funded by the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), was a research for development project that worked with the Ethiopian
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to transform the smallholder subsistence farming system to a more commercial-oriented
agricultural system.To contribute to this transformation process, the project used a value chain systems approach,
focusing on the MoA’s extension system, value chain actors, service and input suppliers. https://ipmsethiopia.wordpress.com/

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce p overty in
developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a member of the
CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure
.
future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South,
Southeast and, East Asia. ilri.org

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. .Its science is carried out by
15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner
organizations. cgiar.org
Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. i

Animal production vision and strategy

for Ethiopia

Ministry of Agriculture
International Livestock Research Institute

February 2013
ii Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

© 2013 International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

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ISBN: 92–9146–409–0

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Citation: MoA and ILRI. 2013. Animal production vision and strateghy for Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Ministry of Agriculture and International Livestock
Research Institute.

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Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. iii

Contents

Preface iv

Background: The animal production subsector 1

Current situation 2

Vision and targets 3

Vision 3

Targets to 2025 3

Challenges and strategies for highland systems 4

Challenge 1: Shortage of feed resources 4

Challenge 2: Poor husbandry systems for meat and milk animals 6

Challenge 3: Low genetic potential of indigenous animals 7

Challenge 4: Poultry production 8

Challenge 5: Livestock production research gaps in highland systems 8

Challenge 6: NRM in mixed production systems of the highlands 9

Challenges and strategies for lowland pastoral and agropastoral systems 10

Challenge 1: Shortage of water 10

Challenge 2: Poor livestock husbandry systems 10

Challenge 3: Poor livestock marketing systems 11

Challenge 4: Conflict resolution 11

Challenge 5: Rangeland degradation and drought mitigation 11

Challenge 6: Production research gaps 12

References 14
iv Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

Preface

In 2012, the Ministry of Agriculture commissioned ILRI to develop several background papers to inform the
development of a livestock master plan and roadmap for Ethiopia. The papers were developed by teams of people
brought together for this task.

The production of the background papers was supported by the Improving the Productivity and Market Success of
Ethiopian farmers project (IPMS) funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The eight papers
are listed below and are all available at https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/51565.

• Animal health strategy and vision for Ethiopia.

• Animal production vision and strateghy for Ethiopia.

• Apiculture value chain vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

• Dairy value chain vision and strategy for Ethiopia

• Livestock extension vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

• Hides, skins and leather value chain vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

• Live animals and meat value chain vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

• Review of past policies and strategies for livestock in Ethiopia.

Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. 1

Background: The animal production subsector

Livestock play a crucial economic role in Ethiopia. MOFED estimates place livestock’s contribution at about 25% of
total agricultural GDP. If the value of ploughing services is included, the sector contributes up to 45% of agricultural
GDP (http://www.igad-lpi.org/publication). Almost the entire rural population in the highlands and lowlands is involved
in some form of animal production, which provides food, cash, traction, transportation and fuel. In lowland pastoral
and agropastoral areas, livestock form the main source of livelihood and social prestige. The country has enormous
potential for increased livestock production, both for local use and for export. However, the productivity of the
sector is constrained by technical factors, among which are inadequate feed resources, poor livestock husbandry, and
low genetic potential of the indigenous national herd. Lack of strong extension and marketing services, as well as an
encouraging policy environment are also serious constraints.

Cattle in Ethiopia are almost entirely of the zebu type and are poor yielders of milk and meat. However, they perform
relatively well under the prevailing traditional low input husbandry systems. Meat and milk yields are low and losses
high; and diseases and parasitic infections that are exacerbated by malnutrition and starvation are major causes of
mortality.

Most of Ethiopia's estimated 45 million sheep and goats are raised by smallholder farmers/pastoralists who use them
for meat and cash income. About three-quarters of the total sheep flock is in the highlands, whereas pastoralists in
the lowland maintain about three-quarters of the goat herd. Sheep and goats have high sales value in urban centres,
particularly during holidays and are highly demanded by export abattoirs. Camels provide pastoralists/agropastoralists
with milk and meat and play a key role as pack animals. Poultry farming is widely practised; almost every family keeps
some poultry for consumption and for cash. Village poultry farms supply eggs and meat mainly to urban consumers.
Private poultry farms using intensive management systems are now increasing in number. While efforts are being made
to commercialize the Ethiopian livestock sector, questions still arise as to how Ethiopia can develop and expand this
sector.
2 Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

Current situation

To ensure higher levels of animal production, an ecologically differentiated approach is being followed as outlined
in the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) of Ethiopia (MoFED 2010). Targets were set for key commodities
like feed, milk, meat, and egg and honey production. Targets for the feed subsector are to increase improved forage
seed supply from 50 thousand quintals at present to 145 thousand quintals at the end of the plan period; to increase
processed feed production from 50 thousand quintals at present to 145 thousand quintals at the end of the plan
period. Similarly, the amount of meat production is planned to increase from 613 thousand tonnes in 2010 to 836
thousand tonnes at the end of the GTP period. Regarding milk production, it is planned to increase milk production
from 3261 tonnes at present to 11,176 thousand tonnes at the end of the plan period. In the same manner, egg
production is planned to increase from 79.1 million to 294 million. In addition, production of skins and hides is planned
to reach 10.2 million tonnes from the present 4.1 million tonnes, whereas honey production to increase from 44.7
thousand tonnes in 2010 to 103 thousand tonnes in the year 2015.

It is only for few commodities that official information on the current progress of the planned targets is available. A
report by CSA (2010/11) indicated that the total production of cow milk is about 4.06 billion litres, suggesting the
average daily milk production/cow to be 1.86 litres. This makes the total milk produced to be about 4,057,998,244
litres for the year. As regards meat production, it was reported that about 463,918 cattle were used for beef. Total
sheep used for mutton during the stated year was 706,745. In the same year, about 781,371 goats were used for meat.
It is thus logical to conclude that the rate of progress is low indicating the importance of further increasing the efforts
made to achieve the set targets.
Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. 3

Vision and targets

Vision
Smallholder farmers and pastoralists will have their food security ensured and produce a surplus for the market;
commercial livestock operators produce livestock products for both domestic and export markets.

Targets to 2025
In setting these targets, it was assumed that most of the set targets will not be met during the remaining 2 years of the
GTP years and they will require an additional 10 years to achieve.

• To reduce the livestock feed gap from the present 45% to 10% (own calculation based on feed and livestock
statistics).

• To increase processed feed production from 50,000 quintals at present to 145,000 quintals/year (MoFED 2010).

• To increase forage seed production from 50,000 quintals at present to 150,000 quintals/year (MoFED 2010).

• Increase milk from local cows to an average of 4 litres/day and from crossbred cows from 6 litres per day to about
15 litres/day per cow through better husbandry practices (MoFED 2010).

• The number of chickens for slaughter is targeted to increase from 10.1 million to 22 million in 2015 (MoFED 2010).
This can be achieved by 2025.

• Increase the amount of meat production from 613 thousand tonnes to 836 thousand tonnes (MoFED 2010). This
can be achieved by 2025.
4 Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

Challenges and strategies for highland systems

This section describes strategic options for improving animal feeds and nutrition, livestock husbandry, and animal
breeding under highland systems. Priority areas for livestock research within the context of integrated crop and
livestock production are also outlined.

Challenge 1: Shortage of feed resources

Feed shortage in both quality and quantity is a major constraint affecting animal production in the highland areas.
Options for improving animal feed resources (both roughage and processed) feeds is outlined hereunder.

Shortage of roughage feeds: Roughages for livestock are obtained from native pastures, crop residues, agro-industrial
by-products and improved forages. The following options are suggested for improving availability of roughage feeds.

• Strategic options

• At smallholder level, greater attention needs to be given to improved forage production by using available
forage technologies; for native pastures, over sowing with improved grass and legume species, and bush
clearing from grazing fields is recommended. Use of improved forage varieties with their management
techniques, and enhancement of the quality of crop residues using urea and urea–molasses mixture treatment
needs to be considered. To achieve this, practical training needs to be given in the form of training of trainers
to be given to DAs by the Regional Bureaus of Agriculture in collaboration with potential stakeholders at both
federal and regional levels.

• Shortage of forage seed is an important constraint to improved forage production. It is thus important to
improve supply of forage seed by making land and credit services available to private seed producers. It is
also important to strengthen the technical and material capacity of government agencies (regional and federal
seed enterprises, and research centres) for forage seed production. Regional and federal investment agencies
can play a key role in facilitating investment initiatives for forage seed production, while research institutes
at regional and federal levels and the MoA will be the main actors in capacity building support to research
centres and seed enterprises.

• The federal and regional investment agencies need to avail land that is fertile, irrigable, and close to market
destinations, to private investors interested in feed production (mainly hay) to ensure sufficient feed supply for
the emerging market-oriented livestock operations (example, feedlots and peri-urban dairy).

Shortage of processed feeds: Feed is the major constraint to improving productivity and overall livestock production,
and processed feeds form essential components of the feed available on-farm in improved production systems. Market
opportunities for processed feed are opening up due to the increasing trend of commercial livestock operations,
smallholder and large-scale dairy, meat fattening and poultry. The problems facing the feed processing industries are
Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. 5

multifaceted and require commensurate solutions by the value chain actors involved. To improve the situation, the
following interventions are proposed:

• Strategic options

• To increase production of quality feed in large-scale commercial operations, consider government investment
policy to make large plots of land and credit available to investors at concessional rates for investments in
animal feed production and processing.

• To ensure the quality of processed feed, it is important to put the new Ethiopian feed proclamation into effect;
and institute accreditation of analytical service laboratories to ensure quality feed production. This can be
facilitated by organizing forums for dialogue at which concerned stakeholders/policymakers will participate.
In this case, professional societies like ESAP, Ethiopian Animal Feed Producers’ Association (EAFPA) and the
Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Technology Institute (EMDTI) can play facilitation roles.

• It is essential to increase availability of by-products of oil industries that are used as inputs in feed processing
industries by processing them locally rather than exporting them unprocessed. Hence, the government needs
to promote oil extraction and flour milling factories so that more by-products are made available.

• Promote private sector participation in large-scale production of soybean and maize to ensure sustained
supply of these key ingredients available as inputs for feed processing. This can be achieved through facilitating
land availability by regional and federal investment agencies.

• Increase the level of awareness of policymakers on the critical importance of livestock feed through organizing
dialogue forums in which concerned decision-makers participate. In this regard, professional and industry
associations and the Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Technology Institute (EMDTI) can play a leading role.

• Training visits to other countries whose feed processing industry experience can be taken as a benchmark for
developing efficient feed processing industries at home. This type of visits can be facilitated by stakeholders
(private investors, GOs and NGOs) involved in feed and livestock development programs.

• Change GOE tax policy to avoid double taxation and/or consider periodic tax exemption for feed ingredients
and compound feeds to give an initial push to the industry takeoff through increased private investment.

Minimize seasonal fluctuations in ingredients and compound feed prices and ensure sustainable feed production
through advising feed processors to develop their storage capacity for processed feeds and the ingredients required
to produce these feeds. This can be undertaken by relevant stakeholders (regional bureaus of agriculture, livestock
development agencies, MOA, Ministry of Trade, and NGOs like ACDI/VOCA). This can be done through awareness
creation meetings in which the industry owners will participate.
6 Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

Challenge 2: Poor husbandry systems for meat and milk

animals
In Ethiopia, average meat yield/animal is estimated to be 110 kg of beef and 10 kg of mutton. Evidence indicates
that mean milk production performance of cows is around 1.5 litres/cow per day over a lactation period of about
6 months, resulting in 270 litres/lactation. Milk production is not keeping pace with population growth, leading to
declining per capita milk consumption. Average per capita consumption of milk and meat is estimated to be 16 and
10 kg, respectively (Adugna et al. 2012). These figures, which are among the lowest in the world, are clear evidence
of the very low productive performance of the livestock sector which is due to poor livestock husbandry systems
(Alemu et al. 2012).

• Strategic options for improving meat animal husbandry (cattle, sheep and goats)

• Strengthen the capacity of smallholders through training on important topics like animal husbandry, forage
production and management, crop residue treatment and utilization and cattle fattening practices. This can
be done at Farmers’ Training Centres by DAs, SMSs and other potential collaborating institutions (GOs and
NGOs) working in the areas of livestock development.

• Fragmented farmers/producers lack bargaining power and it is therefore important to organize livestock
producers as aggregators and traders, in share companies, or trade cooperatives. This can be facilitated by the
joint action of regional livestock development agencies, research institutes, cooperative promotion offices, and
small and micro-enterprise (SME) development agencies.

• Support private feedlot operators having their own demonstration and extension systems for surrounding
producers, and input supply and service oriented businesses. These types of feedlots can play vital roles in
supply push (example, catalysing feed production and converting animals to better condition to produce
quality products) and demand pull (example, creating demand for animals, benefitting the surrounding
producers). This can be done through enhancing tripartite partnerships between the feedlot owners, public
research and extension services, and producers (PPP), through both formal and informal linkage mechanisms.
The formal linkages between the various actors can be bound by a memorandum of understanding and the
responsibilities of the parties involved can be jointly defined, agreed upon and endorsed at the stakeholders'
workshop. This type of partnership can be facilitated by a joint committee nominated to supervise the overall
functioning of the linkage framework. This is the type of model which is being used by Eden Field Agri-seed
Enterprise and by some private investors involved in tea production and processing.

• Strategic options for improving milk animal husbandry (cattle)

• As in the case of meat, the husbandry skill of producers needs to be strengthened through training on
important topics like dairy herd management, forage production, crop residue treatment and utilization, milk
handling and clean milk production procedures. This can be done at farmers’ training centres by DAs, SMS and
other collaborating institutions like EMDTI working in the areas of dairy development.

• Government needs to support investment initiatives in improved dairy production, processing and marketing
either by cooperatives or private investors in the sector. In this regard, suitable land in high potential dairy
areas has to be identified and made available by concerned agencies (example, investment promotion agencies
at federal and regional levels).

• It is very critical that GoE support private animal health service initiatives by offering credit and business
management training to veterinary professionals interested to set up private businesses. It is also essential to
put into effect the drug and feed administration proclamation for controlling illegal drug and health service
providers through establishing the authority planned to be established.
Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. 7

Challenge 3: Low genetic potential of indigenous animals

• Strategic option: Match genotype with the suitability of production environment and taste preferences

The interaction between animal genotype and suitability of production environment is critical for sustainable
productivity improvement. Scaling up of 50:50 (indigenous by exotic) blood level is advisable for smallholder systems
with intensive management system. In situations where herd management is very ideal, be it under smallholder or
large-scale commercial production systems, it is advisable to upgrade exotic blood levels to 62%. Piloting of crossbred
goats and sheep can be carried out and scaled up, but it is not the highest priority due to strong taste preferences for
local breeds in both export and domestic markets. Needed breed improvement interventions include:

• Production and distribution of crossbred cows of 50% Holstein or Jersey blood to smallholder farmers by
strengthening public and private sector AI services, bull services, existing cattle crossbreeding ranches and
regional and federal research centres.

• Depending on the status of prevailing husbandry systems, upgrade crossbred cows to 62.5% exotic blood level
for market-oriented peri-urban farmers with better management systems.

• Strengthen the skill of smallholder dairy farmers, DAs and SMSs on dairy animal husbandry (feeding, health,
and housing) and on how to improve the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle (AI technique, synchronization/
induction of oestrus) is crucial. This training activity can be undertaken by EMDTI, National Artificial
Insemination Centre (NAIC), regional and federal research centres and ATVETCs.

• Improve the body condition (energy balance) of dairy animals through increasing feed availability by availing
seed and other associated inputs for forage production, and improved crop residue management and
utilization. This can be strengthened by continuous training and technical support and supervision provided by
DAs and SMSs at district level.

• For improving meat production, it is advisable to improve the indigenous breeds of cattle like Boran, Horro
and Ogaden breeds through selection. The same will also be true for other indigenous species like sheep, goats
and camels.

• Strategic option: Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public AI services

Unavailability and inefficient use of artificial insemination (AI) for crossbreeding indigenous cattle with exotic breeds
is common in Ethiopia (G/Medhin 2008). The reported number of crossbred animals is proportionally very low,
about 350,000 (Belachew Hurissa, personal communication). Although artificial insemination has been in operation in
Ethiopia for over 30 years, and the efficiency and impact has not been well documented, available evidence indicates
that reproductive and productive problems are pervasive (Chebo and Alemayehu 2011). Options to improve AI
technology and services include:

• It is critical that GoE promote private AI service providers and animal health businesses through facilitating
credit and business management training activities. This effort can be supported by important stakeholders like
investment promotion agencies, and SME development agencies.

• Increase the number and service quality of public inseminators through training (theoretical and practical) by
strengthening the capacity of available ATVETs graduating these experts and improving the curriculum. In this
regard, it is advisable for public sector AI services to focus on rural smallholder dairy systems and the private
sector to focus on AI activities around peri-urban areas.

• GoE to strengthen the capacity of the National Artificial Insemination Centre (NAIC) through financial
8 Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

support for upgrading the facility and human resources, and filling technical capacity gaps to improve the
quality and quantity of semen produced and distributed. The private sector can also participate by importing
sexed semen to sell to dairy farmers that are willing to pay. Regional AI centres need to also be strengthened
by the regional bureaus of agriculture and livestock development agencies. In the process of strengthening the
regional centres, the NAIC is expected to play a research and quality assurance role.

• As efficiency of AI is determined by body condition (net energy balance), it is important to improve feeding
systems of animals undergoing AI, using strategies mentioned under the animal feed and nutrition section
above.

Challenge 4: Poultry production

Poultry is an important source of food and income in Ethiopia and is one of the most suitable sectors to improve the
livelihoods of the poor. Production of a small number of low yielding local chickens is the major poultry production
system and this contributes to more than 90% of total national output of poultry meat and eggs. It is characterized by
a flock size of 5–6 per family (EARO 2000c). Production under this setting is usually targeted for home consumption
and there is almost no attempt to increase the scale to a commercial level. There are also emerging commercial
poultry farms with varying flock sizes owned by individual investors and currently a fast trend of expansion of these
commercial ventures is being observed. Dana et al. (2006) indicated that the long existed approach used by the
MoA to improve village poultry has been to distribute exotic breeds to individual farmers, a maximum of 6 chickens/
household (5 pullets and 1 cockerel). Despite such efforts, improvement has been limited mainly due to the high
mortality rate of exotic breeds as a result of their poor adaptation to rural conditions. Two key strategic directions
are thus proposed here for implementation to improve the poultry sector.

Transforming village poultry production into viable commercial ventures near urban areas through piloting the use of
a comprehensive package of suitable technologies, establishing access to credit and links to input–output markets, and
providing training and technical backup under a multi-institutional framework: This piloting activity can be done in two
phases; the planning phase and implementation phase (Dana et al. 2006). While the planning phase is a preparatory
phase, implementation phase activities include construction of poultry houses, hay box brooders and equipment
(feeding and watering troughs), delivery of selected package of technologies (breed, feed, vaccine, drugs and chemicals,
equipments, management and health care practices), monitoring and evaluation, design and formulation of an exit
strategy in a participatory manner with farmers and FTC staff, and sustain scaling up/out activities.

Strengthening emerging private commercial poultry farms through institutional support (availing land, credit, market
facilitation) and technical support (identification of suitable farm sites, availing information on appropriate breed, and
husbandry practices (feed, water, housing, health). This can be facilitated by MoA, regional bureaus of agriculture,
and federal and regional investment offices, federal and regional research institutes, regional livestock development
agencies.

Challenge 5: Livestock production research gaps in highland

systems
• Recommended animal production technologies based on biological response need to be assessed for economic
feasibility before embarking on their large-scale dissemination to the farming communities.

• On-farm testing of animal production technologies in a participatory manner with the farming communities is
critical to facilitate adoption of available animal production technologies.

• Strategies for conservation and utilization of indigenous livestock species has to be formulated through research;
Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. 9

systematic crossbreeding and selection programs mainly in dairy to enhance cattle milk, and egg and poultry meat
needs to be focused by regional, national and international research organizations operating in the country.

• Research on forage seed production needs to be strengthened to develop crop management technologies that
contribute to improved forage seed availability by strengthening the capacity of researchers working in the areas of
forage and forage seed production.

• Develop alternative livestock feeding strategies based on non-conventional feed resources to alleviate the escalating
cost of industrial feeds mainly for smallholder farmers. This is to be undertaken through designing alternative
livestock feeding experiments by regional and national research institutions.

• Feeding guidelines for different classes of cattle (calves, cows, heifers) and species (cattle, sheep and goats, camels
etc.) needs to be developed through alternative feeding trials by national and regional research staff.

• Research for development of processing technologies for milk and meat needs to be initiated. This can be started
through evaluation of existing traditional technologies; select promising traditional systems or modify to improve
their efficiency. Another approach can be to introduce processing equipment, test them under local conditions for
suitability and promote the promising ones. This can be implemented by regional and national research centres
involved in animal production research.

Challenge 6: NRM in mixed production systems of the

highlands
• Increasing the linkages between crop and livestock production is an effective means by which plant nutrients can
rapidly be recycled between farms and animals. This can be achieved by promoting the use of crop residues for
animal feeding and recycling of manure to crop farms as fertilizer. Though farmers in crop–livestock mixed systems
of Ethiopia have traditionally been using this strategy for thousands of years, it is important to regularly create
awareness on the beneficial role of these principles for the sustainability of their farming systems. This production
system sustainability oriented training activities need to be delivered by a team of experts (DAs, SMSs) coming
from livestock, crop and natural resource related backgrounds.

• The prevailing demographic and economic dynamics in the country will continue to reinforce the importance of
crop residues improvement as animal feeds. Potential options include: increasing on farm availability and quality
of crop residues through selection of better multi-purpose varieties and management practices, and improved
utilization of crop residues by chemical and physical treatment options as previously suggested. This is achieved
through collaborative system oriented research, in which crop, livestock and natural resource researchers
participate for developing multipurpose crop varieties with high grain and stover yields, and stover quality.

• It is vital that natural resource management activities be integrated with livestock feed production. Options include
growing of forage species in enclosures established for rehabilitating degraded grazing lands, and growing of forage
species on degraded lands; and using the herbage biomass obtained from these systems as livestock feed as cut
and carry fodder so that a win–win outcome is achieved. As three DAs are stationed per kebele under the current
technology transfer systems of Ethiopia (1 each for livestock, crop and natural resource management), these
activities can be implemented at kebele level in participation with the local community. The overall support for
implementation and sustainability of this strategy has to come from SMSs at district or zonal level.

• Integrating reforestation activities with livestock production through incorporating multipurpose tree species like
Leucaena, Sesbania, Tagasaste, and others with the NRM intervention, so their fodder can be used as a protein
supplement for livestock subsisting on low quality crop residues. The implementation strategy and the key
stakeholders here will be as mentioned above for enclosures.
10 Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

Challenges and strategies for lowland pastoral

and agropastoral systems

Due to the huge livestock population in pastoral/agropastoral regions, the contributions of lowland livestock to
the national economy could be much greater. Livestock in lowland pastoralist and agropastoralist systems are not
meeting their potential, due to both natural and manmade problems. The challenges, primarily those related to animal
production, include shortage of water, poor animal husbandry systems, marketing problems, conflict, rangeland
degradation and fragmentation, increasing aridity and the increasing occurrence of recurrent droughts resulting in
both feed and water shortages, and consequently poor livestock productivity. Constraints to and strategic options for
improving livestock production in lowland pastoralist and agropastoralist systems are suggested as follows.

Challenge 1: Shortage of water

Water is the major constraint in all pastoral/agropastoral regions of the country. Thus pastoral development
strategy of the government need to be water-centred and it will not be successful if priority is not given to water
development. Water can be made available for livestock and human consumption through river diversion work where
rivers are available and through drilling the underground water. This task can be accomplished through development
of irrigation schemes and through scaling up of successful experiences (example, that of Borana and Fentale areas)
to other pastoral areas. Indeed, the GoE has given emphasis to water resources development in the Growth and
Transformation Plan (GTP) which is being implemented currently. In these initiatives, regional water bureaus, Federal
Ministry of Water and Energy, disaster prevention and preparedness agencies at all levels need to participate.

Challenge 2: Poor livestock husbandry systems

• Strategic options

• Strengthen the skill of pastoralists through training on important topics like pastoral animal husbandry, forage
production and management under lowland systems, crop residue treatment and utilization and cattle fattening
practices. This can be done at pastoralists’ training centres by DAs, SMSs and other potential collaborating
institutions (GOs and NGOs) working in the areas of livestock development.

• Fragmented pastoralists lack bargaining power and it is therefore important to organize them as aggregators
and traders, in share companies, or trade cooperatives. This can be facilitated by the joint action of regional
livestock development agencies, research institutes, cooperative promotion offices, and small and micro-
enterprise (SME) development agencies.

• Support private feedlot operators to establish their farm nearer to pastoral areas to create market
opportunities for pastoralists.
Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. 11

• Herd management skill of pastoralists needs to be strengthened through training on important topics like
camel/shoats/cattle husbandry, pasture production and management, crop residue improvement and utilization,
milk handling and clean milk production procedures. This can be done at pastoralists’ training centres by DAs,
SMS and other stakeholders working in the area.

It is very critical that GoE support private (mobile) animal health service initiatives by offering credit and business
management training to veterinary professionals interested to set up private businesses in pastoral areas. It is also
essential to put into effect the drug and feed administration proclamation already publicized for controlling illegal feed
and drug suppliers and animal health service providers through establishing the authority anticipated to be established.

Challenge 3: Poor livestock marketing systems

Lack of markets for livestock is one of the constraints that affect the livelihood of pastoralists. Reports (for example,
Mussa 2004) indicated that there is meagre market infrastructure and no satisfactory market mechanisms in the
pastoral areas. Government efforts to export livestock are affected by frequent bans imposed by importing countries.
It has also been reported that due to lack of market infrastructure in the pastoral areas, the pastoralists sell their
animals at the border markets at lower prices to traders from neighbouring countries, which also affects the foreign
exchange earnings of the country. To make pastoralists benefit from their livestock, focus has to be given to the
establishment of livestock marketing system. The government plan in GTP to put new market infrastructures and
strengthening of the existing ones need to be implemented. Efforts has to be made to integrate pastoralists with
domestic investors undertaking fattening, abattoirs, and traders, as well as to make them organized in cooperatives
in order to solve their marketing problems in an organized way. In addition to these, support has to be rendered for
private investors to invest on slaughter houses in pastoral areas, and the government to build quarantines that fulfil
the required standards. The activities can be accomplished through various stakeholders like pastoral development
commissions, regional livestock development agencies, MoA, Ministry of Federal Affairs and concerned NGOs.

Challenge 4: Conflict resolution

Conflict is another problem in pastoral and agropastoral systems. The major cause of conflict has been reported to
be competition over grazing land and watering points. Border conflicts were also reported to affect the livelihood
of the pastoralists. An effort has to be made to resolve this issue. In this regard, the Federal Affairs Ministry, The
Pastoral Affairs Standing Committee of the Federal Parliament, regional peace and security offices and traditional
conflict resolutions institutions need to act in harmony. Governments and customary institutions need to work closer
together to identify their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to conflict prevention and resolution, such as
land allocation, access to pasture and water resources (Mussa 2004).

Challenge 5: Rangeland degradation and drought mitigation

The strategic approaches outlined under these challenges are more of a set of crosscutting principles rather than
specific technological packages because of the complex and overlapping nature of degradation, aridity and drought.

• One option to alleviate land degradation in the lowlands is through the use of better land management practices.
These include a number of technological practices like conservation tillage and related conservation agriculture in
pastoral and agropastoral farming systems (EARO 2000a; EARO 2000b). This include:

• Build-up soil organic matter and related biological activities by integrating agroforestry to provide biomass;
and the use of compost, farmyard manure, green manures, surface mulch, cover crops and crop residue
management (EARO 2000a). This requires an integrated approach in which natural resource, livestock and crop
science experts participate.
12 Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

• Better animal and crop management by using appropriate varieties of forage and food crops (for example,
drought resistant and early maturing), improved crop establishment at the beginning of the rains (to increase
protective ground cover, thereby reducing water loss and soil erosion), effective weed control and integrated
pest management. Further, optimize the utilization of indigenous livestock breeds that have better disease and
stress tolerance, optimize the utilization of adaptable indigenous forage and fodder species (EARO 2000b).

• Better rainwater management to increase infiltration and eliminate or reduce runoff so as to improve soil
moisture conditions within the rooting zone, thereby lessening the risk of moisture stress during dry spells,
while reducing erosion. Recommended water management strategies outlined in the government’s policy
directions (pond construction, terracing and related physical structures) can be employed for this purpose.
This can be implemented by pastoralists/agropastoralists through technical support of the DAs and concerned
NGO communities.

• The allocation of large tracts of pastoral lands to commercial investors, and government development projects is
expected to continue. These activities need to be planned in a manner that protects the access of pastoralists to
the key resources they depend upon for livestock production, like dry season grazing sites and water resources
(Halderman 2004).

• The government in its GTP has stated voluntary settlement as one of the strategies to improve the livelihood of
pastoralists. One justification is that settling the pastoral households is vital for delivering social services by both
the government and NGOs. It eases provision of food aid, basic social and infrastructure services such as access
roads, clean water supplies, electricity, schools and clinics as well as extension services. But, studies indicate that
sedentarization without developing the necessary infrastructure and without consulting the pastoralists will not be
acceptable and will not be sustainable (Mussa 2004).

• Though improvements have been made, donor, NGO and government planning for drought is still made on an ad
hoc basis and this needs to be re-evaluated and proactive mechanisms need to be developed (Paulino and Wekesa
2008).

• Drought emergency interventions need to recognize the fragility of some of the changing/developing livelihood
systems to drought. There should be less emphasis on technical ‘hard’ interventions and more emphasis on
supporting communities through periods of ‘shocks’, for example during rebuilding or establishing local social
support mechanisms and appropriate institutions (Gizachew 2012).

Challenge 6: Production research gaps

Many of the priority research areas outlined for highland systems can also work for lowland areas. However, selected
areas of research for pastoral/agropastoral systems mainly focusing on rangeland issues are outlined as follows:

• Strategic options

• In the past, the process of bush encroachment was studied to some degree. A number of research issues
remain that need to be addressed as part of a long-term monitoring plan that will promote better
understanding of the mechanisms of bush encroachment in the savannah ecosystems. These include: effects
of human settlements; soil seed banks; and competition for soil moisture and soil nutrients affecting the
regeneration of invasive woody plants across different landscapes related to grazing pressure.

• Although some information regarding the historical patterns of vegetation change is available mainly based on
pastoralists’ perceptions, field based monitoring and continued research is needed to confirm these findings.
In this regard, the use of earlier aerial photographs combined with long-term vegetation monitoring might be
required to confirm pastoralists’ observations of vegetation changes.
Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia. 13

• The threat of bush encroachment on the pastoral economy needs further research. Generally, the link
between climate change and grazing pressure in driving bush encroachment and the consequences on cattle
populations requires long-term investigation. This does require a long term research program in which both
national and international research institutes participate.

• The long-term effects and continued monitoring of bush encroachment control methods on the regeneration
of invasive woody plants and the restoration of herbaceous plant biodiversity require more research to be
better understood.

• Research is needed to demonstrate the different bush encroachment control methods on a small-scale
that could be linked to communities’ forage reserves to strengthen community education and launch range
rehabilitation efforts.

• Livestock product processing (meat, milk etc.) is an important area of research in pastoral systems. This can be
put on track through evaluation of existing traditional pastoral product processing technologies; select and use
promising traditional systems or modify to improve their efficiency. A further approach can be to introduce
processing equipment, test them for suitability under local conditions and promote the promising ones. This
can be implemented by regional and national research centres involved in animal production research in
pastoral regions of the country.
14 Animal production vision and strategy for Ethiopia.

References

Chebo, C. and Alemayehu, K. 2012. Trends of cattle genetic improvement programs in Ethiopia: Challenges and
opportunities. Livestock Research for Rural Development 24(7).
CSA (Central Statistical Authority). 2010/2011. Agricultural sample survey: Report on livestock, poultry and beehives
population. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: CSA.
Dana, N., Duguma, R., Teklewold, H. and Aliye, S. 2006. Transforming village poultry systems into small agro-business
ventures. Livestock Research for Rural Development 18(12).
EARO. 2000a. Pastoral livestock research strategy. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: EARO.
EARO. 2000b. Livestock research strategy. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: EARO.
EARO. 2000c. Poultry research strategy. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: EARO. http://www.igad-lpi.org/publication
Gizachew, L. 2012. Livestock feed crises and emergency responses in pastoral areas. In: Livestock feed resources in
Ethiopia: Challenges, opportunities and the need for transformation. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
G/Medhin, D. 2008. Assessment of problems/constraints associated with artificial insemination service in Ethiopia. MSc
thesis. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: AAU.
Halderman, M. 2004. The political economy of pro-poor livestock policy making in Ethiopia. FAO working paper No.
19. Rome, Italy: FAO.
MoFED. 2010. Growth and Transformation Plan of FDRE. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: MoFED.
Mussa, M. 2004. A comparative study of pastoralist parliamentary groups: A case study on the pastoralist affairs
standing committee of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Paulino, S. and Wekesa, M. 2008. Improving drought response in pastoral areas of Ethiopia. Somali and Afar regions
and Borana Zone of Oromia. London: ODI.
 Animal production vision and strategy for
Ethiopia

ISBN: 92–9146–409–0

Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) works with the vision of creating market-led modern agriculture and a society free
of poverty. To this effect, the ministry strives to promote market-oriented modern agricultural system; conserve,
develop and use the natural resources; build the capacity of disaster prevention and preparedness and empower
women and youth in development. http://www.moa.gov.et/home

ETHIO PIA L IVES TO C K MASTER P LAN B ACKGROUND PAP ER

The Improving the Productivity and Market Success of Ethiopian Farmers (IPMS) project, funded by the Canadian
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Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to transform the smallholder subsistence farming system to a more commercial-oriented
agricultural system.To contribute to this transformation process, the project used a value chain systems approach,
focusing on the MoA’s extension system, value chain actors, service and input suppliers. https://ipmsethiopia.wordpress.com/

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce p overty in
developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a member of the
CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure
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future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South,
Southeast and, East Asia. ilri.org

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. .Its science is carried out by
15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner
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