Ethiopia’s dairy sector has experienced growth through the “Bounty of the Basket” (Yelemat Tirufat) initiative, nearly doubling milk production to 12 billion liters in three years, the Ministry of Agriculture reported. The number of crossbred cattle has also increased eightfold.

The initiative aims to enhance smallholder farmers’ livelihoods and strengthen the dairy industry. As part of its efforts, crossbreeding programs have expanded rapidly. Before the initiative, only 500,000 animals were crossbred annually. In the first year, this figure surged to 1.2 million, reaching 2.4 million in the second year. The ongoing third year targets 3.8 million animals, with 2 million already crossbred.

To support this expansion, Ethiopia has invested in infrastructure and technology, including liquid nitrogen production facilities for artificial insemination. Five new processing units have been acquired, with two operational and three in installation, aiming for a total of ten nationwide.

The initiative also focuses on strengthening milk processing and distribution. Farmers are being integrated into cooperatives, and processing plants in cities such as Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Hawassa are improving market access. New plants in locations such as Gondar, Bahir Dar, and Jigjiga are reducing transportation costs.

A recent workshop at International Livestock Research Institute in Addis Ababa brought together key stakeholders to develop a national strategy, reinforcing Ethiopia’s position as a leader in agricultural transformation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency