A number of altruistic benevolences and gracious contributions have been secured as of the launch of ‘Bounty of the Basket’ (Yelemat Tirufat’-in local language Amharic), aiming at improving the livelihoods of the community via bringing several benefits. Focusing on agriculture, the initiative is boosting food security, increasing crop yields, and enhancing the agricultural sector’s productivity.
Keeping this in mind, The Ethiopian Herald had a stay with Melese Gobena, who graduated from Haramaya University in agricultural economics, to have a professional standpoint regarding the initiative under discussion.
He said, “Yes, a recently launched national poultry, dairy, and honey production development program termed as ‘Yelemat Tirufat’ has helped the nation boost export earnings, ensure food and nutrition security, and domestically substitute imported products since 2022. Besides, the Ministry of Agriculture disclosed the implementation of this initiative/development campaign, which focuses on nutritional opulence, and concrete results in terms of development and benefiting citizens have been recorded.”
The program, of course, aims at boosting productivity and production of dairy, eggs, chicken, honey, and related products, as well as intensifying efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency and ensure nutritional opulence at the family and national levels. It has also been contributing a lot to the effort geared towards job creations, increasing exports, and hastening import substitution, he opined.
As to him, poultry production has been a feature of human society for thousands of years. To ensure that it continues to make positive and sustainable contributions to stable human society, it is essential that production and marketing are tailored to local conditions and associated value chains, maximize nutrient cycling and efficient utilization of all products, and maintain genetic diversity.
Melese further stated that smallholder poultry production has an important role to play in feeding the world and, to maximize the benefits; it should be accompanied by improvements to local health services and holistic programs that highlight the links between poultry production, human health and nutrition, and sustainable ecosystem services.
As to him, the main objectives of the program are increasing chicken meat, milk, egg and honey productions to quench the thirst of the society, and the program has been helping citizens yield promising outcomes throughout the country.
Historically and even culturally, the term Lemat, a basket, has been used by Ethiopians to store bread or injera, and inculcates a deep meaning in the minds of the majority. It is used in most cases associated with blessing, bountifulness and prosperity. That is why the term is found in most Ethiopian proverbs and used frequently by elders during their blessings. In other words, Lemat is not simply a common basket to store bread. It is a very special one that defines abundance.
According to Melese, following reform changes, the Ethiopian government has implemented several projects that can ensure economic prosperity and halt hunger from the soil. ‘Bounty of the Basket’, a nationwide program that was launched in 2022 is one of these ambitious programs targeted at advancing production and productivity.
Boosting productivity and production of dairy, eggs, chicken, and honey and related products as well as intensifying efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency and nutritional opulence at the family and national levels are among the targets of the initiative/program, he added.
Using this initiative, the government has also aimed at creating job opportunities, increasing exports and hastening import substitutions. Yes, following the launching of the program, several encouraging results are being witnessed all over the nation. This is especially true in areas of meat, milk and fish production. The program is also benefiting several individuals to achieve economic prosperity and fill market gaps in areas where there is a shortage of supplies.
The initiative has also created interest and motivation among farmers and pastoralist in enhancing their productivity since its launch, and used for boosting productivity and production of dairy, eggs, chicken, and honey and related products as well as intensifying efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency and nutritional opulence at the family and national levels are among the targets of the program, as to Melese.
The government has been creating job opportunities, increasing exports and hastening import substitutions in many parts of the nation, and not only the program is benefiting from an increased production but it is also instrumental in flourishing nutritional benefits of products.
“Apart from filling family demands from their production the farmers are also selling their surplus products in the market, which in turn is benefiting them to earn more money and lead a better lifestyle. Farmers also said that, in addition to fulfilling their household demands and filling market gaps, the program is also playing significant role by providing job opportunities for several people in the area,” he suggested.
As learnt from beneficiaries, the increased productivity resulting from Yelemat Tirufat has brought about a positive change in the lives of the farming community and the well-being of their families, which brought a glimpse of hope to all citizens.
According to him, running the program in a well-organized manner is of paramount importance in bringing about real change in due course of leading life via increasing honey, egg, and meat and milk production among the farming community and beyond. He also said that the use of improved technologies and proper directives given by agriculture professionals has contributed to increased production and productivity.
“By generating employment opportunities, the initiative helps reduce unemployment rates and stimulates economic growth in many parts of the country, centered on the farming community. The initiative is also playing a transformative role in stabilizing agricultural markets in the country. By boosting productivity and promoting fair pricing practices, the program not only enhances the economic prospects of individual farmers but also contributes to the overall stability and health of the agricultural sector,” Melese underlined.
He further elucidated that undeniably, the initiative is aimed at improving the livelihoods of the local community, which has brought about several benefits. Focusing on agriculture, the initiative is boosting food security, increasing crop yields, and enhancing agricultural production and productivity. Furthermore, the initiative has been contributing to enhancing social welfare by providing access to education, healthcare, and other essential services to the population.
Poultry production has also been becoming the fastest-growing agricultural sector, especially in the tropics where our country is located, too. Ethiopia is home to the largest livestock population in Africa. These animals—cattle, horses, camels, and other ruminants—are vital to the country’s economic development, food and nutrition security, and poverty reduction , but they are also the major source of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Dairy farming has also been identified as a key subsector.
Responding to the question phrased as How can this essential and high-value growth sector adapt to more sustainable farming and boost productivity and incomes?, he said that a new pilot program in Oromia, Ethiopia’s biggest dairy-producing region, supported by the World Bank, is now showing positive results, indicating that a more holistic and sustainable approach can boost productivity, jobs, and incomes and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
That opportunity is now being seized as Ethiopia is working hard to declare self-sufficient in food security through utilizing its untapped resources like dairy, poultry, apiculture, fishery, and other related production. Dairy service hubs, for instance, are providing farmers with easy access to inputs, services, and training that can help them turn their subsistence dairy farming into larger businesses and further increase their incomes.
BY MENGESHA AMARE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 15 SEPTEMBER 2024
