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Ethiopia

Thanks to its large population and the importance of its livestock sector, we have been able to work extensively in Ethiopia since 2017. Ethiopia has the largest number of livestock in Africa, and these livestock are dispersed among many smallholder farmers and pastoralists. Our research projects here cover a range of issues related to livestock feeds, dairy, beef, livestock diseases, and human nutrition.

Ongoing Projects

Aflatoxin M1 Health Risks vs. Benefits of Dairy Consumption in Ethiopian Children: An Epidemio­logical Trial and Risk-Benefit Analysis

This project is designed to determine whether aflatoxin M1 exposure in milk is associated with child growth impairment and to compare any risks with nutritional benefits of milk consumption in children.

Improving Smallholder Poultry Production and Egg Consumption in Children Under Two in Ethiopia

This project is designed to improve smallholder poultry production by reducing poultry mortality and also to increase egg consumption in children under two in poultry-owning households in Ethiopia.

Creating Platform for Professionals in Ethiopia (C2P- Ethiopia): Strengthening and Accelerating Institutional Linkages Among Ethiopian Livestock Research, Learning, Development and Business Institutions

The project is creating an easy-to-use electronic platform that will accelerate effective communication among livestock actors and create system-level change in Ethiopia's livestock sector.


Completed Projects

Linking Cattle Nutrition to Human Nutrition: A Value Chain Approach to Improving the Production, Handling, and Consumption of Animal Source Foods in Ethiopia

This project strives to create a systems approach that strengthens linkages among animal-source food production and consumption, practices, and human nutrition outcomes. 

Improving the Evidence and Policies for Better Performing Livestock Systems in Ethiopia

The purpose of the project is to bring markets and consumption – on top of production – forward as an integral component of research on livestock systems. Insights into these aspects contribute towards more informed and evidence-based decision-making and consequently to a better-performing livestock sector in Ethiopia. 

Addressing Young Stock Mortality in Smallholder Farms and Pastoral Herds of Ethiopia

The project goal is to understand the causes and risk factors for young stock mortality in cattle, goats and camels, while also providing input on the pilot testing of health interventions.  

Improving Handling Practices and Microbiological Safety of Milk and Milk Products in Borana Pastoral Communities, Ethiopia

The goal of this project is to improve handling practices of milk and dairy products and thus improve food safety for pastoralists in Borana. 

The Effect of Passive Surveillance Training on Animal Health Parameters, Northern Ethiopia

This project conducts a proof-of-concept research activity involving the enhancement of awareness regarding the recognition, reporting, and treatment of public and private good animal diseases. 

Mycotoxin Prevalence and Mitigation Measures in Ethiopia

This project assesses mycotoxin levels through a broad feed sampling at farmer cooperative unions (FCUs) working with the USDA-funded FEED project, enhances feed testing capacity, and communicates risk information for risk management.

Application of Integrated Decision Support Systems to Improve Livestock Systems in Ethiopia: Research and Capacity Development

The main objective of this project is to demonstrate the use of an integrated decision support system (IDSS) as an analytic methodology for assessing the outcomes and impact of livestock research. 

Modeling Livestock System Dynamics and Economywide Policy Impacts in Ethiopia

This project aims to develop a systems-based analytical approach (model) to measure linkages of the livestock sector to the broader economy and to assess alternative national development scenarios. 

Feed-to-Farm Investigation of Mycotoxin Contamination of Feed and Milk in Ethiopia

This research provides the basis for identifying risk mitigation strategies in feed and in milk in two of Ethiopia’s vital milk-sheds, Addis Ababa and Hawassa. The information is necessary for the development of targeted data-driven measures to curb the production and transmission of mycotoxins in the livestock feed production chain.


Collaborating Partners 

This is an indicative list of past and present partners..  a collage of logos of the collaborating organisations in ethiopia


Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems is part of Feed the Future

This work was funded in whole or part by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security under Agreement # AID-OAA-L-15-00003 as part of Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems. Additional funding was received from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation OPP#060115.  Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed here are those of the authors alone.