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Ethiopian livestock sector: Endowed with high potential

Ethiopian livestock sector: Endowed with high potential
11 Jun 2015 Development

Though the nation is endowed with high potential of livestock, little has been exploited

Ethiopia is a land with different agro-ecological zone. This varied ecological zone has enabled the country to enjoy with the highest livestock population. Sources indicated that the country is 9th in the world and first in Africa in its livestock population. However, despite the fact that it has large livestock population, the country is not benefiting that much from the sector. There are various reasons that hamstring the nation from benefiting from the livestock sector. The traditional rearing system, veterinary service related issues and fodder problems are ascribed as challenges to the sector.
Sources indicated that the livestock sector has 14-16 per cent share in the national export. The evidences at the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that livestock sector has 16-20 per cent national economic contribution. The sub-sector also has 45 per cent share in the agricultural sector.
Like most African countries there is a tendency here in Ethiopia to consider the number of cattle as a sign of wealth. For that reason, quantity instead of quality is a big deal among the pastoralist or farmers. According to Dr. Gebre-Egziabher Gebre-Yohannis, State Minister at Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Development Sector, despite the fact that the nation has the highest livestock population, it has not benefited from the sector to the extent it could. Health, market and animal fodder are some of the challenges to the sector.
He also said that absence of proper infrastructure, conspiring with traditional rearing system had been derailing Ethiopia’s livestock sector. According to him, taking the potential of the sector for irrigating national economy, the Ministry has designed a new master plan that benefits the sector. He also added that this master plan is different from the previous ones for it is designed in alignment to the GTP II.
“In GTP I we have achieved some of the set targets. Positive results have been registered in the livestock sector. In the GTP II, we shall further achieve very significant benefits,” said the State Minister. For the coming five years the Ministry has prepared a sectoral analysis. Based on the this analysis, a master plan is prepared to address sectoral challenges in the livestock.
According to him, unlike previous master plans this one is prepared with the involvement of all stakeholders engaged in the sector. He also said that, the master plan has thoroughly investigated the real livestock potential of the country. And it could serve as a crucial input for policy makers, development partner and other stakeholders. The master-plan is prepared taking into consideration the economic benefit of the sector, constraints and agro-ecological classification of the country, according to him. The master plan has placed focus on dairy, meat, and poultry development.
According to him, by the time Ethiopia becomes a middle income nation, urbanization will be pick pace and the need for meat, milk and other dairy products will obviously shoot up. Thus, there has to be a mechanism that fills the market deficit. That is why due attention is placed to the sector in GTP II. According to Gebre-Egziabher, much remains to be done in the veterinary service delivery, fodder development and coming up with a variety of livestock.
According to Livestock Development Director General Dr. Ewket Seraw, successful activities are being carried out that improves sector’s economic potential. Explaining the related constraints, he added that animal disease is one of the serious problem that challenges the sectoral development.
According to him, this problem has a direct impact in affecting the economic benefit of the country. Disease that affect goats and sheep has been the serious one. In this regard, Ewket said that various activities are being carried out to alleviate the problem.
He also said that beside controlling animal diseases, effective works are being carried out by the Ministry that improve the quality of livestock. According to him, in addition to government’s involvement in the livestock sector, the role of other stakeholders particularly the role of private veterinaries is vital in thwarting the main bottlenecks of the sector.

Written BY LEULSEGED WORKU

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