To experiment with a new integrated approach to livestock sector development that improves livestock productivity and farmer livelihoods and ensures that decent employment opportunities are generated upstream and downstream along the value chain.

Status of the project
CLOSED

• Established a Highland Smallholder Farmer Livestock Discussion Forum/technical working group and facilitated preparatory meetings for its establishment.
• Assessed the market for sheep and goats (meat, live animals) starting from four selected woredas of Ethiopia highlands.
• Assessed sheep and goat production systems in Ethiopia highlands.
• Mapped past and ongoing relevant programmes for small ruminant value chain development in Ethiopia highlands.
• Identified three value chain case studies (i) one local value chain, targeting the local meat markets; (ii) one national value chain, which targets urban markets; (iii) one export-oriented value chain, which targets live animals for export.
• Designed, tested and administered questionnaire and analysed data collected.
• Simulated the impact of interventions undertaken at production level on the level of employment along the value chain, including on-farm and off-farm employment.
• Conducted workshop to validate findings, identify policy gaps and identify capacity needs to foster rural employment creation opportunities.
• Developed capacity for women and youth groups in four selected woredas.

• FAO’s Multipartner Programme Support Mechanism Medium-term final report 2014–17
• FAO’s Smarter investments Up-scaled development 
• Initiative with Ethiopia aims to boost opportunities for rural youth
• Reducing poverty among rural youth and women in Ethiopia