By: Goshu Melisew
Ethiopia’s food system is undergoing a significant transformation, with a focus on improving livestock productivity and agricultural resilience. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), established in Ethiopia in 1974, plays a central role in this process by conducting innovative research and implementing programs to enhance the livestock sector.
ILRI’s research aligns with national development priorities and addresses the country's food security challenges, focusing on areas such as livestock genetics, climate-smart agriculture, and food-based dietary guidelines.
One key aspect of ILRI’s work is improving livestock genetics through breeding programs. Dr. Namukolo Covic, ILRI Director General’s Representative to Ethiopia and CGIAR Country Convener, emphasized the institute’s success in dairy breeding, which enhances local breeds to increase milk production. She noted that Ethiopian cows currently produce an average of only 1.5 liters of milk per day, while improved breeds can yield up to 30 liters.
ILRI tackles this challenge through three strategies: genetic improvement, quality feed development, and enhanced production practices. The institute also collaborates with the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture to implement climate-smart innovations that strengthen resilience in the livestock sector.
The dairy industry in Ethiopia holds immense potential to increase milk production, improve food security, and drive economic development, particularly for rural smallholder farmers. Prof. Curtis R. Youngs, Ensminger Endowed Chair of International Animal Agriculture, highlighted the need for collaboration among stakeholders in the dairy sector to address low milk consumption, which lags behind World Health Organization recommendations. Prof. Curtis pointed out that milk is vital for child development during the first 1,000 days of life and is crucial for physical and cognitive growth.
Despite having Africa's largest cattle population, Ethiopia’s dairy sector faces challenges, particularly low genetic potential in its cattle for milk production. Prof. Curtis noted that it currently takes about 32 Ethiopian dairy cows to produce the same amount of milk as one cow in the United States, which affects both productivity and the environment.
To address this, he called for strategic investments in cattle genetics, improved feeding programs, and better health management. He also advocated for crossbreeding with local cattle to preserve their resilience while improving milk production.
In addition to genetic improvements, Prof. Curtis emphasized the importance of strengthening agricultural extension services to educate farmers and support the transformation of the dairy industry.
ILRI’s alignment with the Yelemat Tirufat (Bounty of the Basket) initiative and its collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute in developing national food-based dietary guidelines are also critical steps in enhancing food security and nutrition.
Through its research and partnerships, ILRI continues to play a vital role in improving Ethiopia’s livestock productivity and food security, focusing on both increasing milk production and addressing malnutrition by making nutrient-dense foods like milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables more available.
As Ethiopia’s dairy sector progresses, experts call for a multi-faceted approach that integrates genetics, improved management practices, and industry collaboration to build a sustainable and thriving dairy industry.