Agriculture in Ethiopia

The agricultural sector employs around 70% of the working population and is an important pillar of the economy. However, the low productivity of Ethiopian agriculture cannot guarantee food security for the rapidly growing population or food sovereignty in the country. Ethiopian agriculture must therefore become more productive in the long term. The use of adapted and high-yielding seeds is one of the key factors in sustainably increasing agricultural productivity in Ethiopia.

The Project

SUSCAMI pursues two objectives: Firstly, the husbandry, feeding and health management of camels and associated knowledge gaps of camel keepers in the Oromia region of Ethiopia will be systematically investigated to identify those factors that have the strongest influence on camel performance and animal health. Forage preferences are recorded through group discussions and direct observation. The most favoured bushes and trees will be analysed for nutrient composition and antinutritional substances.

The health status is recorded by means of a body condition score as well as parasitological and bacteriological examinations of faeces and milk. In addition, limiting factors and knowledge gaps regarding handling and storage of camel milk, food safety and income along the value chain will be investigated through surveys, value chain analysis, economic calculations and microbiological analysis of milk samples. The participatory identification, implementation and evaluation of feasible measures to improve camel feeding and health management as well as handling and storage of camel milk with camel-keeping communities and stakeholders along the milk value chain is the second objective of the project. The focus is on the integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge. The project is expected to improve the knowledge and practices of local stakeholders in the area of camel feeding and health care, leading to an increase in camel production performance. It will promote hygienic production, storage and transport of camel milk and improve milk quality and sustainability of the entire value chain. In addition, the project contributes to capacity building of young scientists. Networks between the partners and national stakeholders will be established and strengthened.

Project partners and cooperations

• Addis Ababa University
• Borana University

Implementing institutions

• Universität Kassel - Fachbereich 11 Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften - Fachgebiet Tierhaltung in den Tropen und Subtropen, Witzenhausen

 Link to Project Website: SUSCAMI-Äthiopien

Released 17. Jun 2024 as text

Address

Supporting Sustainable Aricultural Productivity in Ethiopia (SSAP)
EIAR Headquarters
NARS Building 1st Floor
Gurd Shola
2R76+JV Addis Abeba
Aethiopien

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