Rural poverty reduction through job creation in small ruminant value chains in Ethiopian Highlands

Major results

• 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 analyzed 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.