Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s dairy sector has seen transformative growth, with milk production doubling to 12 billion liters and crossbred cattle numbers rising eight-fold in three years under the “Bounty of the Basket” (Yelemat Tirufat) initiative. This achievement highlights the country’s ongoing efforts to boost food security, improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, and drive agricultural productivity.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Agriculture Fikru Regassa noted the significant progress of “Bounty of the Basket,” while emphasizing ongoing efforts to address challenges like animal feed shortages and infrastructure development. Since its launch, the initiative has led to substantial growth in dairy production, largely due to targeted crossbreeding programs and improved agricultural practices, which operate across four major agricultural clusters.
According to the state minister, before the launch of the initiative, the number of crossbreed animals was about 500,000 per year
. In the first year of “Bounty of the Basket,” it reached 1.2 million, doubling the previous figures. In the second year, they planned for 2.4 million and achieved it. In the current third year, they planned 3.8 million animals to be crossbred, and they are now at 2 million.
As part of the initiative, Ethiopia’s annual milk production has nearly doubled, climbing from 5.8 billion liters to a projected 12 billion liters, demonstrating the impact of improved breeding techniques, better feed availability, and farmer capacity-building efforts. The surge in production is attributed to better breeding techniques, improved feed availability, and comprehensive capacity-building efforts for farmers.
The state minister also highlighted Ethiopia’s heavy investment in infrastructure and technological advancements to sustain this rapid expansion. One key development has been the establishment of local liquid nitrogen production facilities, crucial for artificial insemination programs. Ethiopia has acquired five new proc
essing units, with two already operational and three more in the installation phase, ensuring a reliable supply for nationwide crossbreeding activities. By the end of this year, the total number of liquid nitrogen plants will reach ten.
The initiative also aims to strengthen milk processing and distribution. Farmers are being integrated into cooperatives and unions to enhance market participation. Local processing plants have been established to produce dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and butter, while larger-scale processing facilities in cities such as Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Awassa support broader distribution networks. New plants have been set up in strategic locations such as Gondar, Bahir Dar, and Jigjiga, reducing reliance on centralized supply hubs and cutting transportation costs.
The state minister noted the importance of ensuring farmers have access to affordable, high-quality animal feed in all regions, which is crucial for sustaining milk production and supporting the growing population
of crossbred cattle. With increased milk availability, dairy consumption has risen, contributing to the fight against malnutrition and childhood stunting. Households now have access to nutritious dairy products such as milk and eggs, significantly improving their dietary intake.
Empowering cooperatives and unions is crucial for local producers to drive industry growth, stated the state minister. The focus is on foreign investment alongside ensuring farmers have the tools to expand their contributions. The success of the “Bounty of the Basket” (Yelemat Tirufat) initiative is revolutionizing Ethiopia’s dairy sector, establishing a robust foundation for sustainable agricultural development. Through strategic partnerships, infrastructure enhancements, and innovative policies, Ethiopia is making significant strides towards food security and economic prosperity, serving as a model for agricultural transformation in Africa.
To accelerate dairy sector growth, a high-level workshop convened today at ILRI in Addis Ab
aba where stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and private sector leaders collaborated to develop a unified national strategy. ILRI Senior Scientist Gebregziabher Gebreyohanes highlighted the forum’s goal to foster synergies among sector institutions. According to the scientist, this board would provide crucial oversight and strategic direction, ensuring sector stability and expansion. Gebregziabher also emphasized ILRI’s ongoing partnership with the government to enhance dairy quality across all indicators.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency