ILRI initiates tool to empower Ethiopian livestock farmers

ETHIOPIA – The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has introduced Pioneer-Positive Deviance (P-PD) approach as key tool to empower livestock farmers facing climate change, disease outbreaks, and unlimited resources.

The tool was introduced through a series of workshops held in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

The workshops brought together different groups of people, including regional experts, government officials, NGO representatives, researchers, private sector players, and development agents, who explored ways the tool could help sustainability in the livestock sector.

According to the final report of the workshops, Pioneer-Positive Deviance is based on a powerful idea: communities can learn from members who succeed against the odds.

By identifying and amplifying the practices of Pioneer Households, farmers who have developed innovative solutions to common challenges, the approach highlights locally rooted methods that work.

ILRI stated that this bottom-up model shifts focus from external interventions to community-driven solutions, equipping Ethiopia’s extension system to facilitate knowledge sharing as it aims to leverage these successes to empower farmers and foster resilience.

ILRI collaborated with Adaptation Pioneer Households (APHs), as part of the P-PD initiative, and extension workers in Debre Birhan to co-design practical extension materials.

These resources, including booklets and posters, covers critical topics like homemade feed concentrate preparation, crop residue storage, and haymaking.

Strategically distributed through veterinary services, community centers, and door-to-door campaigns, the materials reached thousands of households across multiple woredas.

The new tool comes 3 months later after Ethiopia launched its‘first-ever livestock transportation train to boost quality meat export.

Ethio-Djibouti Railway Joint Stock Company started transporting livestock by train to Djibout as a new measure of boosting export on quality meat and products to the international markets.

 CEO of Ethio-Djibouti Railway Joint Stock Company highlighted that initially, the railway was used to transport imported goods to the country.

 With the launch, he is sure it will open Ethiopian economy to the rest of the world and enhance export capacity.

 “It will also boost export meat quality by minimizing transport stress on animals, showcasing Ethiopia’s commitment to efficient and sustainable trade. Furthermore, it demonstrates Ethiopia’s dedication to enhancing capital flows across borders,” stated EDR’s CEO in a social media post.

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