Speakers - 2026

Title: Enhancing food and nutrition security and livelihood through livestock transformation in ethiopia

Abstract

Improving animal husbandry, fodder development and animal health to enhance the livestock production and productivity as a way to increase export revenue and strengthen global competitiveness are among the major focus areas of agricultural development plan of the government of Ethiopia. Under the ten-year plan, the Ministry of Agriculture has prioritized livestock commodities such as poultry, milk, and red meat with the objectives to raise incomes and livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists and end poverty by increasing productivity and competitiveness, contribute to the structural transformation of the economy by modernizing livestock and ensuring food and nutrition security, supply raw material inputs for the industrial sector, provide adequate quantities of value-added livestock products for export and create job opportunities in rural areas. These objectives can be realized by sustainable livestock transformation. Sustainable transformation of livestock production systems is a decisive pathway to enhance livestock’s contribution to food and nutrition security, improve livelihood and realize the 2030 Ethiopian government initiatives.  The livestock sector, long overlooked, now stands as a key player offering sustainable solutions for transforming food systems in Ethiopia. The surging demand for livestock products is largely met by large and small-scale livestock production and associated food chains. Beyond food production, livestock play other important economic, cultural, and social roles and provide multiple functions and services. Sustainable livestock transformation is achieved through strengthening collaboration, scaling, climate-smart innovations, increased investment, inclusive policies and empowering women and youth groups. These efforts enable ensure food and nutrition security, improve livelihood, reduce environmental impact and strengthen resilient local livestock systems. Research plays vital roles in livestock transformation through developing and disseminating solutions that improve productivity and sustainability in smallholder systems, thereby addressing food and nutrition security, livelihood improvement, and climate change challenges through improving animal breeding, health, feeding, and management practices and developing innovative systems for animal identification and traceability to support market access and disease control. Sustainable livestock transformation involves a multi-faceted approach considering environmental, social, economic, and technological factors. Other strategies include shifting to more resilient breeds, diversifying production systems and ensuring strong institutional support through appropriate policies and investments.

Key words: Livestock transformation, food security, nutrition security, livelihood improvement