TPGS YelematTerufatReport

Yelemat Tirufat
An overview of the initiative and lessons

of experience from selected livestock development
interventions in Ethiopia
Bahir Dar
University
ii
Yelemat Tirufat is a four-year development program that aims
to boost productivity and production of dairy, eggs, chicken
meat, and honey and related hive products.
The main developmental objectives of Yelemat Tirufat
are to accelerate efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency
and ensure nutritional opulence at the family and
national levels. The program has also the added objective
of creating job opportunities, increasing export, and
hastening import substitution (i.e., replacing imported
animal products with those processed domestically).

Yelemat Tirufat
An overview of the initiative and lessons
of experience from selected livestock development
interventions in Ethiopia
DECEMBER 2022 • BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA
Tadelle Dessie, Yihenew Zewdie, Zelalem Yilma,

Workneh Ayalew and Aynalem Haile
Bahir Dar
University
© 2023 International Livestock Research Institute
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Citation
Dessie, T., Zewdie, Y., Yilma, Z., Ayalew, W. and Haile, A. (Eds.). 2023. Yelemat Tirufat: An Overview of the initiative and lessons of
experience from selected livestock development interventions in Ethiopia. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
Contact person: Tadelle Dessie • t.dessie@cgiar.org

The financial support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
in support of this project in Africa and Asia, respectively, is gratefully acknowledged.
Acknowledgements
Edit ors:: Tadelle Dessie, Yihenew Zewdie, Zelalem Yilma, Workneh Ayalew and Aynalem Haile
Editors
P h o t o s: Apollo Habtamu: front and back covers

ILRI: inside pages
Design:: Eric Ouma

Design
Special thanks for contributions to the workshop organization goes to Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia and Amhara Region Agricultural
Research Institute.
Patron: Professor Peter C Doherty, AC, FAA, FRS

Animal scientist, Nobel Prize Laureate for Physiology or Medicine–1996
Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
ilri.org
Phone: + 251 11 617 2000 Phone: +254 20 422 3000/3903
better lives through livestock
Fax: + 251 11 667 6923 Fax: +254 20 422 3001
Email: ILRI-Ethiopia@cgiar.org ILRI is a CGIAR research centre ILRI-Kenya@cgiar.org
ILRI has offices in East Africa • South Asia • Southeast and East Asia • Southern Africa • West Africa
1
Table of contents
Executive summary 2
I Background 8
II An overview of the Yelemat Tirufat Initiative 12
III Integrated and inclusive public private partnership models for effective
poultry sector transformation in Ethiopia: Thoughts on contributions to Yelemat Tirufat 18
IV Integrated inclusive apiculture development model is transformative

and ready for scale up 20
V Going to scale—from community-based to population-wide small ruminant

development and commercialized product supply in Ethiopia 24
VI Moving to transform the Ethiopian dairy sector: Efficient artificial insemination

service delivery through public-private partnerships—a contribution to Yelemat Tirufat 28
VII Way forward 32
Annex 1 List of participants 34
Annex 2 Workshop program 36
Annex 3 List of acronyms and abbreviations 38

2
Executive summary
A national consultative Workshop on “Are We Ready for Yelemat
Tirufat?”, financed by the International Livestock Research Institute
(ILRI) and organised jointly by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, ILRI,
the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
(ICARDA), the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
(icipe) and Land O’Lakes Venture37, was held on 24 and 25 December
2022, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
The workshop provided a timely platform of the issues that participants of the
to inform key livestock professionals and workshop considered critical for
institutions about the basic elements the conceptualisation, design, and
of Yelemat Tirufat, exchange lessons of implementation of Yelemat Tirufat.
experience from implementing programs Participants also seized the opportunity
aimed at improving the productivity, of the deliberations on Yelemat Tirufat to
accessibility and nutritional dimensions of provide some thoughts that would have
chicken and chicken products, honey and relevance for the wider livestock sub-sector.
other hive products, small ruminants, and
dairy and dairy products. Correct the narrative: Pursuing Yelemat
Tirufat with dedication and zeal demands
Yelemat Tirufat is a four-year development reframing of entrenched narratives
program that aims to boost productivity and surrounding livestock that could stifle the
production of dairy, eggs, chicken meat, will for action and progress. The following
and honey and related hive products. The are two such examples:
main developmental objectives of Yelemat
Tirufat are to accelerate efforts to achieve A Stop romanticizing and taking
food self-sufficiency and ensure nutritional pride in Ethiopia’s large livestock
opulence at the family and national levels. numbers: That Ethiopia is endowed
The program has also the added objective with among the largest number of
of creating job opportunities, increasing livestock resources in the world cannot
export, and hastening import substitution be contested. However, the level of
(i.e., replacing imported animal products Ethiopia’s livestock productivity is
with those processed domestically). unacceptably low even by the standards
The following provides a summary of east African economies. This is
Yelemat Tirufat An overview of the initiative and lessons of experience from selected livestock development interventions in Ethiopia
Consultative workshop on Are we ready for Yelemat Tirufat? 3
a sobering fact that must be faced

squarely. Thus, ensuring effective
implementation of Yelemat Tirufat
demands a realisation that Ethiopia
is a country of millions of hoofs and
horns carried by emaciated livestock.
Upholding such a perspective is likely to
galvanise the population to work towards
realizing the objectives of Yelemat Tirufat
with a sense of utmost urgency.
B Bringing about change through

livestock development is time
consuming: There is a pervasive view
held by many professionals, which
maintains that returns to livestock
development take unduly long periods
of time and that perceptible livelihood
changes are difficult to come by through
investing in livestock development.
While there may be some merit in
these, in the context of Yelemat Tirufat,
owing to prior, successive incremental
investments made in diverse livestock
Yelemat Tirufat is a four-year development
research and development interventions,
a range of potential low hanging fruits
programme that aims to boost productivity
and quick wins are available in genetics,
feed technology, health/biosecurity
and production of dairy, eggs, chicken
services and input-output marketing.
meat, and honey and related hive products.

A bold initiative with doable targets
and flexible implementation strategy:
Yelemat Tirufat sets out to achieve food
self-sufficiency, nutritional opulence,
decent job creation, import substitution, regional states have even submitted targets
and increased agricultural exports. These higher than those envisaged at the federal
are important aspirations that can only be level. The initiative is also flexible in terms
realised through setting realistic targets of embracing to the fold additional focus
that in turn are anchored in well-thought-out commodities that go in consonance with
planning and implementation processes. resource endowments and take account of
The consensus of professionals is that the agro-ecology specificities. Considering the
planned targets are doable and that some importance of small ruminants as producers
4 Consultative workshop on Are we ready for Yelemat Tirufat?
of red meat in the national food basket, entrepreneurship program, ICARDA’s small
their untapped export earning potentials, ruminant value chain development program,
the significant job and income generation and Land O’Lakes’s project on efficient
opportunities that can be realised from delivery of artificial insemination services
the small ruminant value chain operations in dairy cattle. All these programs, which
as well as recognising the presence of a are aimed at enhancing the productivity,
good knowledge base on these species accessibility, and profitability of—in that
that can inform Yelemat Tirufat, there is a order—poultry, apiculture, goats and
possibility that the plan for Yelemat Tirufat sheep and dairy, have shown that Ethiopia
at the federal level would in due course possesses a wealth of in-house technical
also include red meat production from experience and expertise, the labour base,
small ruminants. Following the principle of and the agro-ecological endowments to
subsidiarity, the federal government has help meet the targets set under Yelemat
endorsed the incorporation of red meat Tirufat. Moreover, Yelemat Tirufat is bound
(Amhara and Oromia) and fisheries (Amhara, to capitalise on the range of transferable
Oromia and Gambela) into the respective organisational and supply chain models
regional Yelemat Tirufat plans. that the above programs/projects have put
to good use, and which have proven their
Diverse experience to learn from utility on the ground. Examples include:
and Yelemat Tirufat to build on
what works: The MoA recognises that A Chicken: The agency model that relies
implementation of Yelemat Tirufat should on independent small businesses—called
build on the gains of pertinent projects and Mother Units —who rear the chicks and
programs that have been (or are being) sell them to the end customers (who are
implemented by a range of development typically small holder farmers).
actors. The Workshop made it possible B Dairy: Performance-based incentive

for a closer look into the workings of system for artificial insemination (AI)
ILRI’s chicken genetics program, icipe’s technicians that resulted in virtuous
apiculture-centred youth and women knock-on effects downstream.
The MoA recognises that implementation of Yelemat
Tirufat should build on the gains of pertinent projects and
programs that have been (or are being) implemented by a
range of development actors.
C Apiculture: through utilizing the indigenous animal
i Vertically integrated financial biodiversity has multiple advantages that
institutions that availed loans to need to be exploited. The increased policy,
organised youth groups through programmatic and funding attention being
microfinance institutions backed given to livestock-based livelihoods as part of
by loan guarantee agreements and Yelemat Tirufat is an opportunity that should
special financial window facilities. be taken advantage of to support national

breeding programs along the above lines.
ii Organization of functionally integrated
business hubs that cover the full Yelemat Tirufat has a ‘latecomer’s
length of the apiculture (honey and advantage’; but no two experiences
related hive products) value chain. are exactly alike: Experiences of the
‘Green Legacy’ and the ‘Wheat Production
D Small ruminants: Establishment Movement’ with regards to program
and operationalization of breeders’
coordination, resource mobilization,
cooperatives that manage community-
and partnership development—among
based breeding programs as a solution
others—can prove to be vital ingredients for
for genetic improvement of sheep and
successfully implementing Yelemat Tirufat.
goat in low input systems.
Furthermore, successes achieved in the
two flagship agricultural initiatives can only
Seize the opportunity of Yelemat
incentivise the leadership at the top to do
Tirufat to set in motion development
more and register yet better results. Thus,
of the indigenous livestock genetics
coming on the heels of these two initiatives,
base: Limited availability of improved
Yelemat Tirufat is already off to a good start.
livestock genetics (for instance, parent and
However, the professionalism within which
grandparent stock of chickens, and sexed
Yelemat Tirufat has been designed has to
semen of improved cattle) is a serious
be matched by commitment and capacity
challenge for enhancing productivity
at grassroots level. To this end, series of
sustainably. The existing livestock business
awareness raising as well as technical
and development models in Ethiopia rely on
and leadership training sessions need
importing these genetic technologies with
to be organised to those involved at the
all the ramifications for hard earned foreign
sharp end of implementation. In addition,
currency and dependence on imports over
implementation of livestock-centred
which the country has little or no control.
interventions under Yelemat Tirufat require
While this approach cannot be abandoned
subtlety that befit their unique features. In
in the short run because of the urgency of
this regard, note must be taken of the fact
meeting pressing domestic food demands,
that these livestock-centred interventions:
national and international research institutes
should pay adequate attention to more A will be implemented at household level in
sustainable genetic solutions. Designing both mixed farming, pastoral, and agro-
breeding programs that aim at developing pastoral production systems with varying
productive and adaptive genotypes degrees of prior exposure to intensive
development programming and project beyond the agricultural sector, hence

implementation like the type Yelemat has the preparedness to engage all
Tirufat would demand, thus requiring relevant public service agencies with
more nuanced monitoring, mentoring, diverse mandates to develop systems and
and learning-by-doing approaches. mechanisms that would help achieve the
set targets - in a manner akin to a ‘whole of
B have peculiar characteristics that
set them apart from crop-based government approach’. Uniquely, Yelemat
interventions, including the perishability Tirufat also demands direct and fullest
of the products, the need for striking a engagement of every concerned citizen
delicate balance between food and feed, and institution, following the principles of
and the imperatives of availing sustained a ‘whole of society approach’: the success
supply of improved genetics. of Yelemat Tirufat is in part contingent on
how actively the organised business sector
C necessitate pursuing an integrated value takes advantage of the opportunities being
chain approach anchored on market
created; the technical and implementation
linkages.
support of academic and research
D are more amenable for private sector institutions in meeting the targets set in a
engagement of diverse capacities and manner analogous to the role they have
scales, thereby demanding government been playing in support, for instance, of
leadership to make Yelemat Tirufat the ‘Wheat Production Movement’; and
bankable and to facilitate access to the role the media and civil society play in
land and development finance to ensuring that the general public participates
livestock businesses and those involved in the drive towards food self-sufficiency
in the respective commodity value and enhancing the visibility of animal source
chains. In this regard, the irreplaceable foods in everyone’s plates.
role of private sector investment as
well as public-private partnership Pursuing implementation in earnest:
arrangements in input supply, service To-date, considerable effort has been
delivery and value addition cannot be exerted with regards to setting high-level
overemphasised. As can be learnt from targets at federal level, putting in place the
the rapid success of the floriculture necessary institutional architecture, and
industry in Ethiopia, adequate incentives mobilizing technical and financial resources
and a forward-looking administrative to implement Yelemat Tirufat. At regional
support structure is bound to spur level, too, pertinent focus commodities have
private businesses to co-invest in the been identified and corresponding targets
livestock sub-sector as well. set. Also, preparations of various intensity
are underway to commence implementation
Beyond the ‘whole of government of the initiative at all levels. Yet, very much in
approach’: Yelemat Tirufat realises that keeping with the whole of society approach
the stated livestock-centred targets are being pursued, clarity is needed as to how
affected by programmatic responses best the different actors could be involved
in support of the initiative. To this end, have in a successful outcome of Yelemat

series of follow up deliberations will be Tirufat, the Ministry of Agriculture is
organised so that the diverse public sector committed to facilitate the establishment of
agencies and a range of non-state actors, an independent Technical Advisory Team at
including international agricultural research the federal level that would provide inputs
institutes and private sector actors, obtain for a smooth implementation of the initiative
greater clarity on their respective modalities through, inter alia, supporting human and
of engagement with the initiative and the organizational capacity strengthening
specific roles and deliverables expected of schemes; identifying workable and
them. value adding institutional and technical
innovations; and informing program
Yelemat Tirufat—dream coming monitoring, replanning and learning. At
true for livestock professionals and regional and sub-regional levels, livestock
leaders of the livestock sub-sector: professionals are expected to find their
The initiative places livestock at the centre respective niches and serve as local
of Ethiopia’s medium-term development champions in support of Yelemat Tirufat.
agenda. Yelemat Tirufat turns the page
on the decades-long lament of livestock Valuing livestock: This is an opportune
professionals about the limited attention moment for livestock professionals and
given to livestock development at the leaders of the sub-sector to advocate for
highest level of government. Yelemat Tirufat a proper valuation and appreciation of
presents livestock professionals with a rare the diverse contributions of livestock to
opportunity to marshal their organisational, Ethiopia’s macro economy. This is critical
human, and financial resources and make not least because a fuller knowledge
a mark on Ethiopia’s determined path to of the place of livestock in the national
prosperity. They should thus begin working economy is bound to influence the level of
hands-in-glove with all key stakeholders public investment, including research and
with a sense of urgency. Realising the unique development initiatives, that would go into
stake that Ethiopian livestock professionals the sub-sector.
8
Background
I
Livestock resources in Ethiopia contribute to Yelemat Tirufat is the third major recent
over a quarter of the country’s agricultural national initiative on agricultural and
1
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are natural resources development, after the
major contributors to food and nutrition ‘Green Legacy’ and the ‘Wheat Production
security and wealth creation. For a very Movement’, which is being implemented
long time, Ethiopia has not been able to country-wide under the overall leadership
efficiently utilise its livestock resources of the Prime Minister – the Ministry of
for the improvement of the livelihoods of Agriculture (MoA) and the respective
livestock keepers and the incomes of other regional bureaux providing the required
livestock value chain actors. Yelemat Tirufat technical and organizational leadership.
is expected to reverse this situation and Yelemat Tirufat has drawn out lessons and
pave a new vista for putting the country’s experiences from the best practices of the
livestock resources at the service of national above two ongoing initiatives.
socio-economic development.
Yelemat Tirufat places great emphasis on
Yelemat Tirufat is a four-year development nurturing partnerships with national and
program that aims to boost productivity and international research, development, and
production of dairy, eggs, chicken meat, financial partners. The MoA recognises that
and honey and related hive products. The implementation of Yelemat Tirufat should
main developmental objectives of Yelemat build on the gains of pertinent projects
Tirufat are to accelerate efforts to achieve and programs supported by national and
food self-sufficiency and ensure nutritional international research and development
opulence at the family and national levels. organizations and other partners. The
The program has also the added objective Ministry is also keen on engaging the
of creating job opportunities, increasing expertise within these organizations
export, and hastening import substitution to provide advisory support to its own
(i.e., replacing imported animal products professionals so that they could contribute
with those processed domestically). to the success of Yelemat Tirufat.
1
This is excluding the substantial value of
ploughing/traction services that livestock
provides to crop agriculture.
Yelemat Tirufat is the third major recent national initiative
on agricultural and natural resources development, after
the ‘Green Legacy’ and the ‘Wheat Production Movement’.
Against the above background, on 24

and 25 December 2022, the International
Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) financed The workshop attracted senior
a national consultative workshop, which
livestock professionals from the
was organised collaboratively between
ILRI, MoA, the International Center for MoA, the Ethiopian Institute of
Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
Agricultural Research (EIAR),
(ICARDA), the International Centre of Insect
Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and Land the Ethiopian Agricultural
O’Lakes Venture37 under the title “Are We
Transformation Institute (ATI) and
Ready for Yelemat Tirufat?” at the Blue Nile
Resort Hotel in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. regional agricultural bureaux and
research institutes; Universities,

The workshop attracted senior livestock
professionals from the MoA, the Ethiopian ICARDA, icipe, ILRI, and Land
Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR),
the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation
O’Lakes Venture37.
Institute (ATI) and regional agricultural
bureaux and research institutes;
Universities, ICARDA, icipe, ILRI, and Land
nodes of the diverse livestock value chains.
O’Lakes Venture37. A total of 47 participants
Likawent appreciated the timeliness of the
attended the workshop (please refer to
workshop and urged participants to play
Annex 1 for a comprehensive list).
active roles in the deliberations. He also
affirmed ARARI’s readiness to play its part
The workshop was facilitated by Yihenew in making Yelemat Tirufat a success. Finally,
Zewdie and officiated by Likawent he encouraged participants to find time to
Yeheyis, Deputy Director General explore the beautiful town of Bahir Dar.
of the Amhara Region Agricultural
Research Institute (ARARI) and In his opening speech, Fikru underlined
H.E. Fikru Regassa, State Minister, that Yelemat Tirufat is essentially about
Ministry of Agriculture, who delivered, harnessing Ethiopia’s livestock resources
respectively, welcoming, and opening for the benefit of its current population
addresses. and the generations to come, and that
this initiative has benefitted from the
In his welcoming remarks, Likawent wisdom, experience, and insights of several
Yeheyis underlined the importance of leaders in Ethiopia’s livestock sub-sector.
investing in livestock and developing the He reminded participants that Yelemat
sub-sector to address the challenges of poor Tirufat Initiative is aimed at improving the
nutrition and expand gainful employment productivity and production of milk, chicken
opportunities for the youth and women who meat, chicken egg, and honey and other
are significantly involved in the different hive products.
10
The session facilitator presented the

workshop agenda as involving six major
presentations, including a presentation that
would set the scene, a lead presentation by
Fikru and four commodity-based Power
Point presentations (please refer to Annex 2
for the workshop program).
First, a presentation titled ‘Setting the

scene: Why do we need this meeting? was
delivered by Tadelle Dessie, Principal
Scientist and Director of the Tropical
Poultry Genetics (TPGS) Program,
ILRI. Tadelle welcomed participants
and began his presentation by providing
a short background information on the
circumstances that led to the organisation
of the workshop, the main objectives of
the workshop, and key issues that need
Fikru stressed that Yelemat Tirufat is an
to be examined during the workshop and
unprecedented opportunity presented
beyond. Tadelle clarified that the present
to livestock professionals to marshal their
workshop was a follow on to a previous
social capital as well as organizational and
similar technical consultation meeting held
intellectual resources and thereby make
in the presence of H.E. State Minister
a mark on Ethiopia’s determined path to
Fikru Regassa and hosted by ICARDA in
prosperity. He reiterated that Yelemat
Hawassa in December 2021 involving senior
Tirufat turns the page on the decades-long
Ethiopian livestock researchers working
lament of livestock professionals about
within the international agricultural research
their perceived second-fiddle role to
and development system2 on, among others,
professionals in crop sciences. He advised
opportunities for aligning the programs
livestock professionals to begin working
they lead to national initiatives in Ethiopia’s
hands-in-glove with all key stakeholders
livestock sub-sector. It was further reported
with a sense of urgency: no more regrets,
no more complaints. In his concluding
remarks, Fikru expressed his gratitude
to ILRI and the team of professionals in 2
Namely, Aynalem Haile, ICARDA; Tadelle Dessie,
the international agricultural research and ILRI; Workneh Ayalew, icipe; and Zelalem Yilma, Land
O’Lakes Venture37. These four livestock professionals
development system who conceived the
constitute the Core Team that had initiated regular
idea of organizing the workshop. He then expert consultations aimed at strengthening
declared the workshop open. collaboration between senior livestock professionals
working in different international and non-state
institutions and the Ministry of Agriculture’s plans for
developing the country’s livestock sub-sector.
that these professionals (who go by the term Tadelle also reminded participants
‘Core Team’), considered Yelemat Tirufat as about the unique features of livestock
one such opportunity, hence their eventual development interventions that set apart
involvement in co-organising the present those that are crop focused. The major
workshop. Tadelle then identified the ones include difficulty of sustained supply
following as the three main objectives of the of improved genetics; need for striking
workshop: a delicate balance between food and
feed; and lack of affordability of livestock
● to have a common understanding of the
products. These notwithstanding,
framework for the implementation of
investment in livestock resources was
Yelemat Tirufat;
presented as worth the venture because
● to identify lessons and experiences for of the contribution of livestock products to
Yelemat Tirufat from some of the major better nutritional outcomes; amenability of
ongoing livestock-centred development livestock value chains to enhance women
and/or research-for-development empowerment and create more decent jobs
programs being implemented in to the needy; and the multipurpose uses of
Ethiopia with the support of international livestock, livestock products and livestock
agricultural research and development byproducts.
institutes; and
● to deliberate on the role partners (CGIAR

and others) could play in support of the
initiative and agree on a way forward.
As a prelude to supporting implementation,

Tadelle provided a conceptual
framework for analysing ‘solutions for
perceived problems’ that centre on cost
considerations, extent of regulatory
burdens, demand responsiveness, value
addition, impactfulness, and verifiability.
He further provided some thoughts for
reflection that relate to the following:
presence of conducive policies that
would support Yelemat Tirufat, extent of
readiness of the government to help engage
the organised business sector with the
initiative, presence of committed personnel
that would shoulder implementation
responsibilities, and thoughts about
and modalities of engagement of key
stakeholders with the initiative.
12
An Overview of
the Yelemat Tirufat Initiative
II
Fikru began his presentation by importance of committed leadership at
underscoring the substantial endowment the very top, the need for engaging all
of the country with livestock and fishery pertinent public service agencies as well
resources and a biodiversity base suitable as the citizenry and the significance of
for improving agricultural productivity timely mobilization and effective utilization
genetically. Nonetheless, citing evidence of available resources for program
and comparable data, Fikru noted the low implementation.
surplus production and productivity of milk,
eggs, chicken meat, honey, and beeswax as Fikru informed participants that Yelemat
well as the resultant limited contribution of Tirufat also dovetails into the country’s long-
animal source foods to improved nutrition term agricultural development plan. The
in the country. It was noted, as an example, State Minister highlighted that based on a
that in part to meet the supply gap in sound analysis of the realisable potentials,
milk and satisfy the dairy product intake organizing producers into about 54,000
requirements of children, among others, commodity-specific village units, and
in 2021/22 the country imported USD 25 investing a total of USD 5.26 billion, Yelemat
million worth dairy products. Tirufat envisages substantial increment in
the production of milk, eggs, chicken meat,
Fikru then explained how the experiences and honey (Box 1).
from the ‘Green Legacy’ and the ‘Wheat
Production Movement’ informed the In terms of broad activities to be pursued
development of the Yelemat Tirufat to realise the expected production targets,
Initiative. These mainly relate to the Fikru mentioned the following:
Box 1: Yelemat Tirufat at a glance

No of Required
2021/2 2025/6
Commodity commodity investment
yield plan
villages (USD billion)
Cow’s milk (billion litres) 5.80 10.30

21,000 4.00
Camel’s milk (billion litres) 1.10 1.35
Egg (billions) 3.20 9.10

27,700 1.00
Chicken meat (‘000MT) 90 240
Honey (‘000MT) 147 296 5,200 0.26
Yelemat Tirufat presents a

rare opportunity for livestock
professionals to leave a
large footprint on Ethiopia’s
quest for rapid agricultural
transformation.
Seize the moment!
H.E. Fikru Regassa

State Minister
Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia.
A Milk: increase supply of improved Fikru described at length the five

heifers; expand supply of improved feed organization and management related
and provision of timely and adequate instruments for implementing the
animal health care services. program: i) establishment of a program
coordination structure, including a
B Chicken: introduction and adoption of program implementation unit at the
improved chicken breeds (both layers
federal level; ii) provision of effective
and broilers); improvements in the
technical backstopping; iii) support
management of family poultry through
for enhanced participation of the
improved feed and health interventions.
private sector; iv) due consideration for
C Honey: introduction and adoption of marketing and value addition; and v)
transitional beehives; expanding the establishment of systems for provision and
reach of modern beehives; encouraging allocation of program finance.
large-scale bee keeping operations.
Fikru reported the criticality of finance to
Fikru explained that, as a national implement Yelemat Tirufat and outlined
program, Yelemat Tirufat is expected to the steps being taken by the government
be implemented taking into consideration to mobilise funds from domestic and
agroecology and production system external sources. In this connection,
peculiarities and associated human Fikru emphasised the importance of
and institutional capacities. Yet, effort advocacy for securing the required finance
will be exerted to learn not just from for the initiative, a task that livestock
implementation experiences across regions professionals including those in the
but also from other countries, such as India, CGIAR system should consider seriously
where cluster-based livestock development when developing research/development
activities have been practiced. proposals.
Yelemat Tirufat presents excellent opportunities for research institutes.

This initiative is expected to create the conditions for a scaled-up
uptake of technologies developed in the
research system and is likely to generate
new and higher demand for the technologies
that are being multiplied in our research
facilities, including day old chicks, heifers,
and bee colonies. Feedbacks from the scaling
initiative will also shape research ideas. We
also envisage that research would get better
attention in the program and as a result better
capacities will be built. Finally, Yelemat Tirufat
creates a great opportunity for us to strengthen
old partnerships and create new ones with Tilaye Tekelwold
important stakeholders such as CGIAR centres. Director General, ARARI.
Fikru noted that considering the limited opportunity into action is the responsibility
domestic supply of improved livestock of all concerned. The initiative, it was
genetics, Yelemat Tirufat must rely on observed, has enough space for everyone,
importing these genetic technologies every professional, to contribute as they
incurring substantial expenses in foreign see fit. In this regard, Fikru challenged
currency. Given the unsustainability of professionals present to become local
these measures over the long term, he champions working in concert with regional
urged national and international research champions. The latter, it was reported, are
institutes to devise ways of generating senior current or former decision-makers in
more sustainable genetic solutions through the Ethiopian government system who have
supporting national breeding programs. In already started steering the process in their
this later respect, Fikru expressed his hope respective regions of assignment.
that CGIAR centres and other international
agricultural research institutes would step Workshop participants affirmed that the
up their support to the national research initiative was a timely one and appreciated
systems. the informativeness of the presentation
Fikru made. There was consensus,
In his final remarks Fikru emphasised though, that livestock professionals and
that the question of giving livestock a those entrusted with the responsibility of
central place of importance in Ethiopia’s implementing Yelemat Tirufat must correct
development has just been answered at the the age-old narrative that blows out of
level of intent, as evidenced from the effort proportion Ethiopia’s endowment with
put into the planning of Yelemat Tirufat. substantial livestock resources. Instead,
He observed that turning this singular given the unacceptably low level of livestock
productivity even by the standards of east Participants also saw a need for exerting
African economies, ensuring effective significant effort by federal and regional
implementation of Yelemat Tirufat demands governments to make Yelemat Tirufat
a realisation that Ethiopia is a country of bankable and enlist the participation of the
just millions of hoofs and horns carried by private sector (including Ethiopians in the
emaciated livestock. Such a perspective, Diaspora) in support of the initiative through,
it was appreciated, could galvanise the inter alia, availing land and development
population to work towards realizing the finance to livestock businesses and those
objectives of Yelemat Tirufat with a sense of involved in the respective commodity
utmost urgency. value chains. In this later respect, the
engagement of the Development Bank of
Participants were of the view that the Ethiopia was regarded as instrumental.
professionalism within which the program Citing the critical role of the government
has been designed has to be matched by behind the rapid success of the floriculture
commitment and implementation capacity at industry in Ethiopia, some emphasised that
grassroots level. To this end, it was stressed adequate incentives and a duty-conscious
that, series of awareness raising as well as administrative support structure are essential
technical and leadership training sessions to spur private businesses to co-invest in the
need to be organised to those involved livestock sub-sector.
at the sharp end of implementation. In
this respect, participants saw great role
for academic and research institutes,
coordinating their actions with respective
regional and zonal technical support teams.
Yelemat Tirufat is intended

to translate the 10-year
Agriculture Sector Perspective
Plan and other current
government initiatives such
as “10 in 10 programs” into Thomas Cherenet
National Coordinator, Livestock and
concrete, doable targets. Fisheries Sector Development Project, MoA.
Yelemat Tirufat is expected to benefit

not just agricultural producers but also all
those involved in the value chains of milk,
honey, and chicken products. Through
Yelemat Tirufat the supply and per capita
consumption of livestock products will
increase, as will the contribution of livestock
to the national economy. In addition, it is
believed that the measures that will be
taken to implement Yelemat Tirufat will
create favourable conditions for the further
development of our livestock resources.
Tsigereda Fekadu
Lead Executive of Livestock
and Fisheries Development, MoA.
Participants appreciated the call for macro economy, for a fuller knowledge
strengthening national breeding programs of the place of livestock in the national
as these would lead to availability of economy is bound to influence the level of
genetic lines useful for crossbreeding public investment that would go into the
and development of composite strains, sub-sector.
contributes to sustainable utilisation
and conservation of farm animal genetic In response to some of the questions raised,
resources, and help respond to unforeseen Fikru underlined that the planned targets
demands in the future (e.g., changes in are doable and that some regions have
consumer preference, climate change, and even submitted targets higher than those
emerging livestock diseases). envisaged at the federal level. In this regard,
he informed participants that the federal
Some participants also seized the government has endorsed the incorporation
opportunity of the deliberations on of red meat (Amhara and Oromia) and
Yelemat Tirufat to provide some thoughts fisheries (Amhara, Oromia and Gambela)
regarding the importance of fully valuing into the respective regional Yelemat Tirufat
the contributions of livestock to GDP, plans. Fikru also highlighted that the
employment, and incomes. They underlined initiative has considered the backward (i.e.,
the necessity of advocating for a proper input supply function) and forward (product
valuation and appreciation of the diverse processing function) linkages that could be
contributions of livestock to Ethiopia’s established with agro-industrial parks.
Yelemat Tirufat is about making the best

use of the country’s livestock potential
through mobilizing the available
technologies, skills, knowledge, and
financial investment to the sector. Yelemat
Tirufat is also expected to help energise
the functionality of the public extension
system. With the expected increment in
livestock productivity, Yelemat Tirufat will
help raise the profile of the livestock sub-
sector and is expected to attract further
attention to livestock development.
Gashaw Muche, Director
Amhara Regional Livestock and Fishery
Resources Development Office.
18
Integrated and inclusive public private

partnership models for effective poultry
III
sector transformation in Ethiopia:
Thoughts on contributions to Yelemat Tirufat
Tadelle provided an overview of the poultry others, on children’s dietary diversity; profitability
production systems in Ethiopia with special of chicken-based enterprises; and functioning
emphasis on the dominant village poultry multi-stakeholder platforms—called Innovation
production system and the measures that need to Platforms—at community and national levels
be taken to improve its productivity and transform where common challenges are discussed and
it into a vibrant, resilient, and economically solutions co-designed. Tadelle also discussed
viable production system. To this end, he noted, developments concerning ILRI’s ongoing effort to
challenges pertaining to feed supply, product produce improved chicken lines.
affordability, breed suitability, health and
biosecurity, markets and market information, Tadelle emphasised that to catapult the current
technical and organisational capacity, access to traditional poultry system into a modern and more
reliable finance, and the enabling environment robust system due consideration must be given
(including quality standards, feed taxation policy) to a ‘market-first’ (as opposed to a ‘farmer-first’)
need to be addressed. Tadelle then zeroed in on approach. Such an approach, Tadelle explained,
the outcomes of ILRI’s approach to poultry research entails mainly exploring market opportunities and
for development that resulted in significant identifying processes that would enhance the
productivity gains (both in the number of eggs/ profitable engagement of smallholder farmers and
hen/year and in the body weight of broilers—Box other actors in the poultry value chain.
2); nutrition gains realised as measured, among
This is a timely workshop that

provided us with helpful insights into
key national livestock development
initiatives and their operational
modalities. I am particularly excited
that Yelemat Tirufat provides huge
scaling opportunities for initiatives
such as Tropical Poultry Genetics Adebabay Kebede, Director, Andassa
Livestock Research Centre.
and associated public private
partnership models. The wealth of experience shared in this workshop
will serve as an important food-for-thought as we embark on the
journey of contributing actively to the success of Yelemat Tirufat.
Four years is more than adequate to meet the

targets set in the Yelemat Tirufat Initiative with
respect to poultry meat and eggs. Achieving
these targets demand massive multiplication
and distribution of carefully identified chicken
breeds; ensuring affordable supply of key
feed ingredients; rendering efficient health/
biosecurity services; and establishing
Fekede Feyisa,
Director, Livestock Research, EIAR. functional market linkages.
Finally, Tadelle identified key areas where ILRI range of desirable traits, both phenotypically and
could support and/or inform the poultry thrust of genetically. Asked as to whether the TPGS program
the Yelemat Tirufat Initiative. These include availing has a workable public-private partnership (PPP) model
high producing, adaptable own genetics; evidence- that can inform Yelemat Tirufat, Tadelle identified
based recommendation on gender disaggregated EthioChicken’s business model whereby day-old
farmer-preferred breeds of chicken and suitability chicks (DOC) are hatched by EthioChicken and
of chicken strains under different agro-ecologies – supplied to small-scale commercial chicken producers
option by context (OxC) paradigm; business models (called ‘Mother Units’) for the latter to raise them
on multiplication and distribution of improved chicken (mostly for 45 days) and sell to smallholder farmers
strains, including partnerships with private breeding for further production. EthioChicken often utilises
companies; and inclusive mechanisms (including the services of development agents employed by
Innovation Platforms) for developing solutions across the country’s large public extension system in close
the poultry value chain. coordination with the company’s agents stationed in
the Woredas.
The presentation was well-received; the information
on the development of improved chicken lines
was particularly cited by many for praise. Some Box 2: Chicken productivity gains
of the more pertinent reflections and comments
from the presentation made centred on the need
for a well-coordinated and digital-based data
management infrastructure for use at a system
level; the appropriateness of the semi-intensive
system of poultry production for the majority of
smallholder farmers going forward; the potentials
and unique features of poultry-based businesses in
creating decent work for the youth and women; the
innovativeness of the TPGS program in integrating
one egg/child/day into school feeding operations;
200 - 300% increase in body weight.
and the excellent progress towards the development 100 - 160% increase in egg numbers.
of locally improved chicken breeds that combine a
20
Integrated inclusive apiculture development

model is transformative and ready for scale up
IV
Workneh Ayalew, Coordinator, entrepreneurship, and life skills training;
MOre Young Entrepreneurs in Silk support for establishment of enterprises,
and Honey (MOYESH) Program, icipe, cooperatives, or common interest groups
presented experiences with MOYESH and (CIG) as the case requires; provision
the lessons that can be leant for the design of starter kit and extension services;
and implementation of the honey thrust facilitation of market linkages; support for
of the Yelemat Tirufat. Workneh began establishment of group saving accounts
by noting that MOYESH builds on the and provision of credit and insurance
successes of an earlier project called Young services; and communication, monitoring,
Entrepreneurs in Silk and Honey (YESH). It evaluation, and learning. These, Workneh
was learnt that, presently MOYESH is the underlined, have been undergirded
single largest such program in Ethiopia by strong partnerships with a range of
that is aimed at ‘securing dignified and public institutions (including MoA and
fulfilling direct employment and income for public universities), non-governmental
100,000 unemployed youth (60% women) organisations (NGOs) and private sector
through providing youth with appropriate actors. The latter includes service providers
knowledge and skills and enabling them (e.g., micro finance institutes —MFIs,
to establish beekeeping and sericulture commercial banks, and fintech companies),
business enterprises’ (Box 3). input suppliers, large commercial
beekeepers, out grower businesses and
Workneh further observed that the major buyers, including exporters.
MOYESH’s business model centres
on site selection and recruitment of Having outlined the remarkable program
needy unemployed youth; technical, achievements to-date in terms of, among
others, number of jobs created, number
of saving bank accounts opened, amount
Box 3: MOYESH program profile
of deposits mobilized, and size of loans
Start and end date Oct. 2019 – Sept. 2024 extended, Workneh identified the
Budget USD 55.6 million following as approaches that the Yelemat
Tirufat Initiative could adopt in its quest for
Intervention districts 60
doubling the production of honey during
Youth in the workplace (YIW) target 100,000+ the four-year period. These include:
Outreach target 1.7 million people A integration of beekeeping with

rehabilitation of vulnerable watersheds.
38,000 tons of honey and
Production target
silkworm cocoons
B provision of starter kit supplies
Income target USD 120 million manufactured by small and medium
enterprises (SMEs), generating additional
Total economic benefits USD 187 million
jobs and market linkages.
Apiculture has significant contributions to food and nutrition security.

Honey is an important source of carbohydrate; it is rich in vitamins and
minerals; it enhances crop production through cross-pollination; it contributes
to ecosystem sustainability and can be an
important source of income for smallholder
farmers. Apiculture could also help generate
hard currency through honey and wax export.
Ethiopia produces only 10% of its apiculture
potential mainly due to low-input, low-output
traditional production system, poor infrastructure,
lack of access to services, and undeveloped
marketing system. Inclusion of honey and other
hive products in Yelemat Tirufat is, therefore, a
welcome development, as this helps realise the
potential of apiculture in local and
Yoseph Mekasha, Director,
Livestock Commercialisation, ATI. national socio-economic development.
C provision of support to complementary H dovetail the concept and applications of

income generating businesses to apiculture development clusters to those of
ensure year-round cash flow and ‘honey zones’ and ‘honey villages’ being
smoothen consumption. envisaged under Yelemat Tirufat.
D creation of functional integrated I Work towards realizing opportunities for

business hubs through provision of addressing pollination deficit through
business development services and managed beekeeping—including
linking financial service providers with through supporting cultivation of coffee,
producers. avocado, oil crops, vegetables, spices
as complementary income generating
E facilitate vertical integration of activities.
financial institutions with the ultimate
objective of expanding financial access
to youth honey enterprises. During the subsequent discussion session,
participants lauded the presentation on
F Establishment of digital platforms to
MOYESH for its clarity and informativeness
facilitate business-to-business and
and congratulated the presenter for the
business-to-consumer relationships
success of the program he leads. This
and reduce transaction costs.
wide-ranging presentation elicited several
G Promotion of out grower and contract questions that focused largely on the
farming—partnering with private challenges that the program faced; the
sector businesses—using lead- steps taken to relax liquidity constraints
and-follower beekeeper mode of of the youth group; the viability of the
expansion. smallholder beekeeping business model to
I see clear relevance of several

aspects of the MOYESH business
model, such as creation of functional
integrated business hubs, for
promoting poultry interventions
envisaged under Yelemat Tirufat.
Misba Alewi
Poultry Research Coordinator, EIAR.
create full-time job opportunities for the at buttressing honey production with
youth; extent of MOYESH’s involvement complementary income generating
in supporting product diversification; businesses proved successful not just in
MOYESH’s engagement with research into helping the youth to generate income
honeybee health; and effects of extensive but also in ensuring that there was
use of agrochemicals on MOYESH program adequate forage for the bee colonies.
operations and whether the program is Furthermore, Workneh observed that
involved in tackling effects of the same. with about 10 or more beehives occupied
with honeybee colonies, beekeeping
As regards challenges, Workneh identified and associated complementary farming
the following as the major ones that the activities can become full-time jobs for
program faced in its early days: free riding start-ups. Workneh also noted that a well-
attitude of some youth; severe shortage of functioning honey value chain demands not
honeybee colony; and lack of technical skills just supporting the cooperative model of
among agricultural professionals operating honey production but also encouraging the
in the program target areas. Employing a engagement of the private sector in honey
community-managed targeting system and production and processing activities both
continual training and retraining helped to for mass and niche markets.
address the attitude-related challenges,
while challenges to do with colony supply As regards support for product
have been progressively addressed through diversification, Workneh explained that
establishment of colony multiplication centres MOYESH has initiated targeted promotion
in selected strategic locations. On the other of hive products other than honey and
hand, Workneh noted that, in addition to beeswax such as propolis production, the
organising series of training-of-trainers (TOT), commercial viability of which depends
use of peer-to-peer training involving locally on volume of production and existence of
recognized beekeepers helped alleviate reliable market.
capacity-related challenges.
With reference to MOYESH support for
Workneh underscored that the cooperative research into honeybee health, Workneh
model works and the deliberate attempt clarified that the program appreciates
the issues, but the support they provide A supports international accreditation of
is confined to applied research aimed at honey and beeswax residue analysis
addressing current beekeeping constraints, capacity at two local product quality analysis
or issues that have immediate relevance to laboratories—the Ethiopian Conformity
beekeeping development. Assessment Enterprise (ECAE) and Bless
Agri-Foods Laboratory Services PLC.
Concerning indiscriminate application of
B collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture
agro chemicals, Workneh elucidated that in the review and validation of the
the expansive application of herbicides and implementation guideline for the national
other agrochemicals has direct negative Bee Resources Protection Directive; and
impact on honeybee colony density,
particularly in areas that practice intensive C has initiated an action research partnership
with Bahir Dar University aimed at
cereal crop production, hence MOYESH’s
quantifying the extent of the challenge
advocacy for allocation of dedicated
associated with indiscriminate application of
suitable land for establishing apiculture
agro chemicals.
businesses, away from areas that intensively
apply agrochemicals. In addition, Workneh
observed, more responsible ways of In conclusion, Workneh stressed that Yelemat
application as well as community collective Tirufat paves a new vista for the scaling of
action could help in addressing the small-scale commercial beekeeping operations,
challenge. Cognisant of the need to tackle which is critical for keeping prices of honey
the unintended negative side-effects of and associated hive products affordable to
indiscriminate application of agrochemicals, most consumers whilst enabling smallholder
it was reported that MOYESH: beekeeping businesses thrive.
24
Going to scale—from community-based to

population-wide small ruminant development
V
and commercialised product supply in Ethiopia
Aynalem Haile, Principal Scientist, and expressed his hope that other regions
3
ICARDA, began his presentation by (notably, Afar and Somali) would also
outlining the role sheep and goats play as follow suit.
key means of livelihood in rural Ethiopia
as measured by ownership. Moreover, he Aynalem then discussed the
indicated that small ruminants provide innovations that ICARDA and ILRI have
about 46 per cent of the national meat been spearheading in support of small
consumption and over 50 per cent of ruminant value chain development in
the value of hides and skin production. close collaboration mainly with EIAR and
Aynalem also provided some details regional agricultural research institutes.
regarding the many advantages small The innovations include community-
ruminants have over large ruminants based breeding program (CBBP); animal
for most smallholder farmers. These biotechnology services; animal health
notwithstanding, Aynalem brought to interventions; sheep and goat feedlot linked
the attention of participants that the plan to CBBPs; comprehensive, cloud-based data
for Yelemat Tirufat at the federal level infrastructure (known as DTREO) that has
has not yet embraced small ruminants. the potential to integrate feed, health, and
Fittingly, though, he appreciated the move market information; and workable system for
by Amhara and Oromia regions to include facilitating market linkages, including digital
small ruminants in their respective plans marketing.
3
The presentation made herein was jointly prepared by
the Small Ruminants team of ICARDA: Aynalem Haile,
Tesfaye Getachew, and Berhanu Belay.
ICARDA’s more than 10 years of continuous

and holistic investment in community-based
breeding program has completely changed
the strategy of genetic improvement for
small ruminants in this country. Institutional
commitment on the part of all concerned,
including ICARDA, and forging partnerships with
key partners are critical for massive scaling of the Asrat Tera, Director General
Livestock Development Institute.
CBBP approach to help realise the goals
set by Yelemat Tirufat in different regions.
Focusing on the CBBP, Aynalem underlined local farming communities (an average
that CBBP is a home-made, participatory of three-fold increase) and better
innovation that considers farmers’ breeding understanding of adoption of breeding
objectives and available infrastructure technologies at the local level.
where the management of the program
is bestowed upon farming communities Aynalem also noted that useful
themselves. CBBP is said to be a trailblazer experience of women empowerment was
solution for genetic improvement of sheep obtained via establishing women-only
and goat in low input systems. CBBP focuses breeding programs in some locations.
on training and building local capacity, Moreover, Aynalem explained ICARDA’s
leading to sustained genetic improvement well thought out scaling framework
of indigenous breeds. (Box 4), shared the successful scaling
experience of CBBP using this framework,
He further elaborated that the program and cited the Washera-Wollo (WaWo) and
hinges largely on community groups and Bongacho initiatives as cases in point.
legally recognised breeders’ cooperatives
established by interested farmers. In terms The integration of CBBP into the
of outcomes, the program is said to have curriculum of undergraduate and
resulted in improved genetic gains of post-graduate programs as well as the
economically important traits in several engagement of at least 16 universities in
sheep and goat breeds; substantial social operationalising the CBBP as part of their
and economic benefits, including higher respective community outreach schemes
levels of household income (an average of were cited as useful experiences,
20 per cent increment); profitable market respectively, of informing next generation
participation of livestock keepers, enhanced sheep and goat breeders and expanding
consumption of animal source food among the appeal of the program more widely.
Market
Finished
males Local, big cities
and export
Technical support
n
Organization
io
Finishers
is
Capdev pr
ov
Market info
All males
e
ic
rv
Se
Components
Production unit (PU) ● Input/service provision
Acquiring genetics
● Feed intervention
Breeding from the CBBP
ewes Breeding ● Health interventions
ewes ● Market linkage
Breeding
ewes Certified ● Genetic improvement
rams
Genetic dissemination
Non-selected
CBBP males
Delivering
genetics LFSDP, USDA, Regional extension,
NGOs, ICARDA, AICCRA
Certified More than 3,000 breeding sires disseminated
rams to production units—more than 100 villages
Box 4: Scaling framework in Community-Based Breeding
Aynalem made a case for inclusion of red engagement including framework for
meat as a major target of Yelemat Tirufat scaling, tailor-made capacity development
Initiative at the federal level by underlining packages and multistakeholder platforms
the importance of small ruminants in the to channel innovations and address
national food basket, the untapped export challenges.
earning potentials of these species, and
the significant job and income generation Participants appreciated the rich content of
opportunities that can be realised from the presentation delivered. Most praised
the small ruminant value chain operations. not just the contribution that the CBBP
He further appealed to representatives approach has made towards improving the
of regions that are yet to embrace sheep productivity of small ruminants in a cost-
and goats in their respective regional effective manner but also the pioneering
plans to seriously consider doing so. role the ICARDA team and partners played
Aynalem concluded his presentation by in presenting the CBBP approach to the
reminding participants about the presence global livestock fraternity. A few comments
of cost-effective small ruminant breeding were made that centred on the need for
technologies and associated innovations better engaging universities given the
as well as tried and tested modalities of substantial number of animal science
professionals deployed there; the need for

establishing stronger linkages with pertinent
national institutions such as the Livestock
Development Institute (LDI) and with MoA’s
livestock sector to better inform policy and
programming and for the visibility of the
substantial body of work already undertaken
pursuing a CBBP approach.
Building on aspects of Aynalem’s

presentation dealing with DTREO—data
infrastructure in use at ICARDA—and his
suggestion of the potentials of this system
to inform Yelemat Tirufat, some participants
underlined the need for establishing a
robust information management system In his concluding remarks, Aynalem
for Yelemat Tirufat that would help track encouraged participants to see for
progress with activities under each of the themselves the efficacy of the CBBP
focus commodities at the program level approach in the field and reiterated that
and support learning and evidence-based the national research system should be
decision making. credited for the success of the CBBP. He
also emphasized that the CBBP approach
is market-driven, people centred, and
Questions raised from participants included
Primary Cooperatives and—in some cases—
challenges faced in the implementation
Unions 4 own small ruminant development
of CBBP; the transferability of the CBBP
and commercialized product supply
approach to other livestock species; and
processes. Thus, CBBP and complementary
progress with CBBP in the context of (dairy)
approaches to small ruminant development
goats. In response, Aynalem,
are mainstreamed into the operations of
A cited difficulty of establishing breeders’ grassroots farmers’ organisations, which
cooperatives in some regions (especially bodes well for a successful outcome as and
Amhara and Oromia) as a critical when red meat and goat’s milk become
challenge that needs resolving; integral to Yelemat Tirufat.
B affirmed the adaptability of the CBBP

approach—with some tweaking—for 4
A good example here is the Bonga Livestock Union,
cattle and camel; and which has 15 primary cooperative members. The sheer
size of Union membership helps reap the advantages of
C noted success being registered in the economies of scale including greater bargaining power
in the acquisition of inputs and sale of small ruminant
breeding of goats with respect, for
offtake as well as better leverage and voice in dealings
instance, to milk yield of lactating does with authorities for service provision in support of small
and the weight of kids. ruminant development.
28
Moving to transform the Ethiopian dairy sector:

Efficient Artificial Insemination service delivery
VI
through public-private partnerships—
a contribution to Yelemat Tirufat
Zelalem Yilma, Country Coordinator, the constraints to its smooth functioning

Land O’Lakes Venture37’s Public- (Box 5).
Private Partnership for Artificial
Insemination Delivery (PAID) project, Zelalem noted that the PAID project
Ethiopia started his presentation with was in part conceived to respond to
an uplifting message that underscored genetics-related challenges observed in
the taking off of Ethiopia’s dairy industry the dairy value chain with the stated goal
as exemplified, among others, by the of “contributing to financially sustainable
reported three-fold increase in the number private and more efficient and effective
of improved cattle (including female cattle public channels for the delivery of improved
population) over the last five years and dairy genetics in Ethiopia.” He then
the substantial rise in the number of dairy provided an impressive account of what
cooperatives, private milk aggregators and has been accomplished through the three
increased attention being given to food project components:
quality and safety—the latter especially in
Amhara and Oromia regions. He then made A Improve the performance efficiency
a succinct presentation of key components of Artificial Insemination Technicians
of the dairy value chain in the country and through mainly training on an updated
Box 5: Key bottlenecks in the dairy value chain
Feed
Genetics Collection Food quality and safety
Health
Input and
Production Bulking Processing Marketing Consumption
service
Enablers Pricing
Policy Market linkage
Infrastructure
Access to finance Value addition Low per capita
consumption
Action Research Diversification
With the inclusion of dairy as a focus

commodity under Yelemat Tirufat, the
government has shown its commitment to
make milk available and affordable. This is a
welcome development! Realising the targets
set for dairy demands adequate budget and
effective and coordinated implementation of
the program across a wide range of actors,
including government departments
at all levels and non-state actors supporting
Tesfaye Mengistie
Former State Minister the initiative.
Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia.
curriculum and instituting performance- Zelalem noted that the various PAID-
based incentives structure for the supported interventions combined have
personnel involved. These have, among produced over 600,000 improved calves
others, led to increased performance (of which about 51% are potential improved
of AI technicians from 23.4 to 57.6 AI heifers worth over USD 140 million) resulting
services/month/AI technician and a from about 1.2 million inseminations. The
calving rate increase from 34 to 50%. concerted effect of the diverse interlinked
interventions has also driven down the
B Increase farmers’ demand for AI cost of producing an Improved Live Calf
technology use through a gender
(ILC) from USD 95 to USD 22.5 in a space of
aware and women-inclusive training
five years. Synthesizing the lessons learnt
scheme, which resulted in an over 80%
from the success story of the PAID Ethiopia
AI technology adoption by targeted
project, Zelalem identified the following as
farmers.
key takeaway messages that are of relevance
to Yelemat Tirufat:
C Enabling LDI and regional AI centres
(AICs) to ramp up production of liquid
A Strategic level:
nitrogen (LN2) and quality semen. Here
i Irreplaceable role of private
a combination of interventions aimed at
sector investment as well as PPP
lubricating the supply chain have been
arrangement in input supply, service
implemented. Examples of these include
delivery and milk value addition.
improvement of five semen laboratories,
improved capacity of at least 25 LN2 ii Presence of pertinent business models
plants, and provision of five (5) ear tag to transform the dairy industry (e.g.,
printers. Cooperative Dairy Model—India and
Kenya; Dairy Park Model—China;
Cluster Approach—Uganda).
Yelemat Tirufat stands to gain a lot from

the experiences of projects such as PAID
in dairy development. Some of the working
practices used in PAID, including performance-
based incentives for AI technicians, have proven
their importance. Thus, this approach should
be given due attention going forward. Ensuring
availability of critical inputs such as LN2 and
quality semen is important to address, at least
partly, genetics-related challenges Tolera Debela, Deputy Head
Oromia Region Agriculture
observed in the dairy value chain. and Natural Resources Bureau.
B Operational level: vi Invest in Animal ID as a pre-requisite for
i Support the training of AI technicians provision of improved services as it is
at community level and in technical a critical step towards tracking animal
and vocational education and training response/performance and taking
(TVET) colleges. management decisions.
ii Devise mechanisms to attract women vii Professionalise milk shops—integrate
AI technicians informal milk supply/sale schemes

into the formal milk market.
iii Conduct farmers’ training and
awareness creation employing a
range of media and communication Zelalem concludes his presentation by
campaigns to bring about behavioural giving due credit to the partners at all
change. levels—including actors in the national

research and extension system—without
iv Give due attention to performance-
which the registered gains would not have
based incentives, for it improves
been realised. He then identified initiatives
efficiency and helps build capacity.
that Land O’Lakes—Venture37 are likely
v Ensure availability of critical inputs
to implement in the foreseeable future,
mainly LN2 and semen.
including a second phase of PAID.
Participants appreciated the engaging and

focused presentation made. Comments
given on the presentation included the
following: recognition for the significant
contribution that performance-based
incentives made towards AI service
efficiency; the effort exerted to develop an
animal identification and tracking system
within the project; the extensive visual aids
used to impress upon farmers the value of AI in close coordination with regional bureaux
services; and the complementary role that of agriculture and that efforts are underway
bull service provision (by farmers—on a fee) by regions to purchase liquid nitrogen
has been playing along with AI services. production plants from their respective
budgets. As regards the role of the private
Questions raised revolved around the extent sector, Zelalem saw significant space
to which the public extension system has in a range of dairy value chain activities,
adopted the AI service provision model including in dairy product diversification.
of PAID; insufficient supply of LN2; and According to Zelalem, one area where
thoughts on the engagement of the private attention could be directed towards is
sector in the dairy value chain. Responding packaging long life milk in smaller quantities
to the mainstreaming of the PAID model, without compromising quality as well as
Zelalem noted that the work has been done nutritional values.
32
VII
Way forward
The closing session was chaired by Tadelle ruminants, and dairy that were anchored
who was grateful to H.E. the State in four of the major livestock development
Minister, Fikru Regassa, for gracing programs managed by international
the occasion through his presence, for research institutions operating in Ethiopia.
helping participants understand better the He observed that Yelemat Tirufat stands to
essence of Yelemat Tirufat and for the useful gain from the wealth of experience shared
insights he gave to several of the issues and approaches and procedures followed
discussed. Tadelle also lauded the role in the implementation of the four different
of the Core Team in the conceptualisation programs as presented by members of the
and management of the workshop and Core Team.
appreciated the good turnout and active
engagement of participants. Finally, Tadelle Fikru re-emphasised the preparedness
thanked all those at ILRI who contributed to of the Ethiopian government to rigorously
the organisation of the event. monitor the implementation of Yelemat
Tirufat through periodic meetings involving
Fikru expressed his gratitude to the all actors in the government system
organizing team and ILRI for a job well including those at federal (e.g., MoA, LDI,
done. He appreciated the excellent ATI, and EIAR) and regional (e.g., Bureaux
presentations made and noted the valuable of Agriculture and regional agricultural
lessons he learnt from each of the four lead research institutes) levels as well as other
presentations on chicken, apiculture, small key stakeholders.
Universities, as knowledge powerhouses,

should take the driver’s seat in implementing
Yelemat Tirufat. Accountability-driven proactive
engagement of universities with national
development initiatives, such as Yelemat
Tirufat, is among their stated missions. Building
on the experience we have with regards to
our direct involvement in implementing the
Wheat Production Movement, we, at Bahir
Dar University, are ready to do what it takes
to ensure that Yelemat Tirufat achieves its
far-reaching objectives that go beyond
Firew Tegegne
President, Bahir Dar University. livestock sector development.
In Yelemat Tirufat there is space for

direct and fullest engagement of every
concerned citizen and institution. The success
of the initiative is in part contingent on how
actively the organised business sector takes
advantage of the opportunities being created;
the technical and implementation support
of academic and research institutions in
meeting the targets set; and the role the
media and civil society play in ensuring that
the general public participates in the drive
towards enhancing the visibility of animal H.E. Fikru Regassa
State Minister
source foods in everyone’s plates. Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia.
In this connection, Fikru expressed Realizing the stake that the Ethiopian
his hope that academic and research livestock professionals have in a successful
institutions will closely follow progress outcome of Yelemat Tirufat, and cognisant
with Yelemat Tirufat with the view to of the readiness of several of these
supplementing, complementing and/or professionals to provide their technical
path correcting its implementation. He also expertise to the initiative, Fikru requested
encouraged representatives of the seven the Core Team members to:
regional bureaux of agriculture/pastoral
A suggest additional members who would
development present 5 to work towards work with them as part of the to-be
ensuring that barriers of all sorts (including established ad hoc “Technical Advisory
challenges around availing land to Yelemat Team to the Yelemat Tirufat Initiative”
Tirufat investors and constraints to a more under the overall leadership of his office;
robust engagement of cooperatives with the and
Yelemat Tirufat agenda) to be overcome in
the quickest time possible. B propose potential roles and
responsibilities of this Team and submit
Underlining the importance of pursuing to his office a draft terms of reference as
implementation in earnest, Fikru noted soon as is feasible.
the need for organizing series of follow
up deliberations at all levels so that the Wishing all present at the workshop a
diverse public sector agencies and a range successful engagement with Yelemat Tirufat,
of non-state actors, including international H.E. The State Minister, Fikru Regassa,
agricultural research institutes and private declared that the workshop officially closed!
sector actors, obtain greater clarity on
their respective modalities of engagement
5
These include, Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz,
with the initiative and the specific roles and Gambela, Harari, Somali, and South-western Ethiopia
deliverables expected of them. peoples’ regional states.
34 Annex 1
List of participants
Participant Organization Designation

1 Adebabay Kebede ARARI–Andassa Livestock Research Director
Centre
2 Amsalu Bezabih National Honey Research Program Coordinator
3 Asmelash Berhe MOA Meat development coordinator
4 Asrat Tera LDI Director general
5 Aynalem Haile ICARDA Principal Scientist
6 Azize Ayalew MOA Honey Development Coordinator
7 Berhanu Belay ICARDA Consultant
8 Berhanu Yetecha Benishangul-Gumuz Region Head, Livestock Sector Deputy Bureau

Agriculture Bureau
9 Derbie Gemiyo SARI Director, Livestock Research
10 Fasil Getachew ILRI Consultant
11 Fasil Tadesse Bahir Dar University Lecturer
12 Fekede Feyisa EIAR Director, Livestock Research
13 Fikru Regassa MOA State Minister
14 Firew Tegegne Bahir Dar University President
15 Gashaw Muche Livestock and Fishery Resources Director

Development Office
16 Getnet Zeleke ARARI Director, Livestock Research
17 Kefena Effa EIAR Lead Researcher, Centre Director, EIAR-Holeta
18 Kumlachew Geremew ILRI Research Officer
19 Lema Gemeda MOA Dairy Development Coordinator
20 Lidia Abebe ILRI Administrative Associate
21 Likawent Yeheyis ARARI Deputy Director General
22 Mekuryaw Wubie MoA Animal and Fisheries Sector Development

Deputy Bureau Head
23 Mengistie Taye Bahir Dar University Director, Institute of Biotechnology
24 Mengistu Urge Haramaya University Vice President, Academic Affairs
Participant Organization Designation

25 Misba Alewi EIAR Coordinator, Poultry Research Program
26 Mohammed Redwan Harari Region Agriculture Development Animal and Fisheries Sector Development
Office Director
27 Mulugeta Yitayih ILRI Research Officer
28 Nasrin Cabdi Yusuf Somali Region Pastoral Development Expert

Office
29 Okach Malut Gambela Region Animal and Fisheries Head

Resources Development Bureau
30 Shanbel Besufekad ARARI Coordinator, Small Ruminant Research
31 Tadelle Dessie ILRI Principal Scientist/TPGS Program Director
32 Tamene Bekele Southwest Region Agriculture Bureau Animal and Fisheries Sector Development
Deputy Bureau Head
33 Tesfaye Alemu OARI Director, Livestock Research
34 Tesfaye Getachew ICARDA Scientist
35 Tesfaye Mengistie MOA Former State Minister
36 Thomas Cherenet MOA National Coordinator, Livestock and Fisheries

Sector Development Project
37 Tilaye T/Wold ARARI Director General
38 Tolera Debela Oromia Region Agriculture and Natural Deputy Head

Resources Bureau
39 Tsegereda Fekadu MOA Lead Executive of Livestock and Fisheries

Development
40 Tsion Yemane ILRI Research Associate
41 Wondmeneh Esatu ILRI Scientist
42 Workneh Ayalew icipe Coordinator, MOYESH Program
43 Wubalem Dejene ILRI Assistant to Program Manager
44 Yihenew Zewdie ILRI Consultant
45 Yonatan Zewudie MOA Poultry Development Coordinator
46 Yoseph Mekasha ATI Director, Livestock Commercialization
47 Zelalem Yilma PAID project (Land O'Lakes Venture 37) Country Coordinator
36
Annex 2 Workshop program

A consultative workshop: Are we ready for Yelemat Tirufat?
BLUE NILE RESORT HOTEL, BAHIR DAR - ETHIOPIA, 24 – 25 DECEMBER 2022
Day Saturday, 24 December 2022

Time Theme Responsibility Session
moderator/s
08:30–09:00 Registration Organizers
Opening Session
Workshop objectives and overview of the Tadelle Dessie, principal scientist

09:00–09:15
workshop and TPGS director
H.E. Fikru Regassa, state

09:15–09:35 Opening remarks minister, Ministry of Agriculture,
FDRE Yihenew Zewdie
09:35–09:50 Self-introduction of participants Participants
Setting the scene: Why do we need this

09:50–10:10 Tadelle Dessie, ILRI
meeting?
10:10–10:30 Group photo and coffee break
Day 1 Morning
Introduction to Yelemat Tirufat national H.E. Fikru Regassa, state

10:30–11:30 program to improve Milk, Poultry and minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Tilaye T/Wold,
Apiculture production FDRE Director General,
ARARI
11:30–12:30 Discussion Participants
12:30–14:00 Lunch break
Integrated and inclusive Public Private

Partnership (PPP) Models for effective poultry Kefena Effa,
14:00–14:30 Tadelle Dessie, ILRI Director, Holeta
sector transformation in Ethiopia: Thoughts on
contributions to Yelemat Tirufat Agricultural
Research Centre
14:30–15:30 Discussion, Q&A Participants
15:30–16:00 Cofee break
Integrated inclusive apiculture development Yoseph Mekasha,

16:00–16:30 Workneh Ayalew, icipe Director,
model is transformative and ready for scale up
Livestock
Commercialisa-
16:30–17:30 Discussion, Q&A Participants tion, ATI
Day Sunday, 25 December 2022

Time Theme Responsibility Session
moderator/s
Going to scale – from community-based to Prof. Mengistu

Aynalem Haile, ICARDA
09:00–09:30 population-wide small ruminant development Urge, Vice
and commercialized product supply in Ethiopia President for
Academic Affairs,
09:30–10:30 Discussion, Q&A Participants Haramaya
University
10:30–11:00 Coffee break
Moving to transform the Ethiopian dairy sector: Tolera Debela,

Efficient Artificial Insemination service delivery Deputy Head,
11:00–11:30 Zelalem Yilma, PAID
through public-private partnerships—a Oromia Region
contribution to Yelemat Tirufat Agricultural
Development
11:30–12:30 Discussion, Q&A Participants Bureau
Tadelle Dessie,
12:30–13:30 Way forward H.E. Fikru Regassa
ILRI
38
Annex 3
List of acronyms and abbreviations
AI Artificial insemination
AICs AI centres
ARARI Amhara Region Agricultural Research Institute
ATI Agricultural Transformation Institute
CBB Community-based breeding
CBBP Community-based breeding program
CIG Common Interest Group
DOC Day-old chicks
EIAR Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
GDP Gross domestic product
ICARDA The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
icipe International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
ILC Improved live calf
ILRI International Livestock Research Institute
LDI Livestock Development Institute
LN2 Liquid nitrogen
MFIs Microfinance institutions
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MOYESH More Young Entrepreneurs in Silk and Honey
MT Metric tonne
NGOs Non-governmental organisations
OxC Option by context
PAID Public-private partnership for artificial insemination delivery
PPP Public-private partnership
SMEs Small and medium enterprises
TOT Training-of-Trainers
TPGS Tropical Poultry Genetics Solutions
TVET Technical and vocational education and training
WaWo Washera-Wollo
YESH Young Entrepreneurs in Silk and Honey
africacgg.net ilri.org
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Yelemat Tirufat

An overview of the initiative and lessons

Yelemat Tirufat is a four-year development program that aims

to boost productivity and production of dairy, eggs, chicken

meat, and honey and related hive products.

The main developmental objectives of Yelemat Tirufat

are to accelerate efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency

and ensure nutritional opulence at the family and

national levels. The program has also the added objective

of creating job opportunities, increasing export, and

hastening import substitution (i.e., replacing imported

animal products with those processed domestically).

DECEMBER 2022 • BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA

Tadelle Dessie, Yihenew Zewdie, Zelalem Yilma,

Contact person: Tadelle Dessie • t.dessie@cgiar.org

P h o t o s: Apollo Habtamu: front and back covers

Design:: Eric Ouma

Patron: Professor Peter C Doherty, AC, FAA, FRS

II An overview of the Yelemat Tirufat Initiative 12

IV Integrated inclusive apiculture development model is transformative

V Going to scale—from community-based to population-wide small ruminant

VI Moving to transform the Ethiopian dairy sector: Efficient artificial insemination

VII Way forward 32

Annex 1 List of participants 34

Annex 2 Workshop program 36

Annex 3 List of acronyms and abbreviations 38

A national consultative Workshop on “Are We Ready for Yelemat

Tirufat?”, financed by the International Livestock Research Institute

(ILRI) and organised jointly by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, ILRI,

the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

(ICARDA), the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

(icipe) and Land O’Lakes Venture37, was held on 24 and 25 December

2022, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

a sobering fact that must be faced

B Bringing about change through

meat, and honey and related hive products.

implemented by a range of development typically small holder farmers).

actors. The Workshop made it possible B Dairy: Performance-based incentive

The MoA recognises that implementation of Yelemat

Tirufat should build on the gains of pertinent projects and

programs that have been (or are being) implemented by a

range of development actors.

C Apiculture: through utilizing the indigenous animal

i Vertically integrated financial biodiversity has multiple advantages that

institutions that availed loans to need to be exploited. The increased policy,

organised youth groups through programmatic and funding attention being

microfinance institutions backed given to livestock-based livelihoods as part of

by loan guarantee agreements and Yelemat Tirufat is an opportunity that should

special financial window facilities. be taken advantage of to support national

development programming and project beyond the agricultural sector, hence

in support of the initiative. To this end, have in a successful outcome of Yelemat

Yelemat Tirufat is the third major recent national initiative

on agricultural and natural resources development, after

the ‘Green Legacy’ and the ‘Wheat Production Movement’.

Against the above background, on 24

research institutes; Universities,

The session facilitator presented the

First, a presentation titled ‘Setting the

● to deliberate on the role partners (CGIAR