The Kingdom of Netherlands, renowned for its livestock productivity, has pledged its continued support to Ethiopia's livestock sector, aiming to foster sustainable practices and empower farming communities.
Ambassador Designate Christine Pirenne, speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), highlighted the Netherlands' commitment to sharing knowledge, technology, and resources to advance animal husbandry in Ethiopia.
She emphasized the keen interest of Dutch investors in Ethiopia's livestock potential, seeking to drive inclusive and sustainable growth through innovation and value chain development.
The recent Livestock Exhibition and Congress, held from October 31st to November 2nd, 2024, was lauded as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange. The Netherlands, with its consistent participation in Ethiopia's livestock events over the past three years, showcased its expertise and commitment to collaboration.
The Netherlands has already made significant contributions to Ethiopia's dairy and poultry sectors, contributing to food security efforts. The country is now poised to further leverage its expertise, high-quality inputs, and innovative equipment to support the sector's continued growth.
SNV Ethiopia, a key partner in the Netherlands' development efforts, echoed the commitment to sustainable development in Ethiopia.
Julie Graham, SNV Ethiopia Country Director, highlighted their long-standing dedication to supporting sectors like agri-food, energy, and water, with a particular focus on revitalizing the livestock sector to enhance productivity and resilience.
SNV's "Building Rural Income through Dairy Business Growth in Ethiopia (BRIDGE+)" project is transforming the dairy sector, benefiting over 350,000 smallholder dairy farmers, 400 commercial dairy farms, 150 dairy cooperatives, and millions of consumers.
Furthermore, SNV is actively working to create job opportunities for young Ethiopians in the poultry, dairy, and vegetable value chains, aiming to generate 240,000 jobs.
The organization is also implementing a sustainable energy project, introducing innovative solutions like solar-powered butter churners and chick brooders, aligning energy efficiency with agricultural growth.
These initiatives demonstrate the Netherlands' unwavering commitment to improving agricultural productivity and empowering livelihoods in Ethiopia, fostering a collaborative partnership for sustainable growth in the livestock sector.