ADDIS ABABA – The Kingdom of Netherlands Ambassador to Ethiopia expressed commitments to further deepen collaborations for sustainable practices in the Ethiopian livestock sector and empowering the farming livelihoods across the country.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Ambassador Designate of the Kingdom of Netherlands to Ethiopia Christine Pirenne stated that her country, very known for its livestock productivity, remains committed to provide support which includes knowledge transformation, latest technologies, inputs, products, and solutions to develop the animal husbandry.
She also highlighted that the Dutch investors are keen to invest in Ethiopia’s tremendous potential in the livestock sector to fetch inclusive and sustainable growth through enhanced innovation and sustainability in developing the livestock sector across the value chain.
Hailing the just concluded livestock exhibition and congress, organized by Prana Events from 31st October – 2nd November, 2024, the designate ambassador emphasized that this event is an ideal platform to reinforce livestock exhibition and congress to share authentic experiences like the Netherlands pavilion which have been taking part in Ethiopia’s livestock premier livestock undertakings for the last three consecutive years.
So far, the country has been undertaking projects to improve the dairy and poultry sector thereby driving measurable outcomes in Ethiopia’s efforts to ensure food security, she noted.
Moreover, she insisted that her country is committed to bring its renowned expertise, high quality inputs and innovative equipment to support the growing sector in Ethiopia.
SNV Ethiopia Country Director Julie Graham for her part stated that as part of the Netherlands development partner, SNV Ethiopia has long been providing dedicated service and it remains committed to further strengthening sustainable development sectors such as agri-food, energy, and water that help revive the livestock sector to help enhance productivity and resilience in the livestock sector.
“It is implementing Building Rural Income through Dairy Business Growth in Ethiopia (BRIDGE+) project to transform the dairy sector to benefit 350,000 smallholder dairy farmers, 400 commercial dairy farms, 150 dairy cooperatives, 1 million school children through school feeding programs and over 3.5 million consumers of dairy products,” she emphasized.
Realizing Aspiration of Youth in Ethiopia through employment,the country director revealed that it has set a project to create 240,000 jobs for young men and women in the poultry, dairy, and vegetable value chains.
Furthermore, SNV also planned to implement a sustainable energy project in the dairy and poultry value chains which enhances dairy and poultry productivity by introducing innovative solutions like solar-powered butter churners and chick brooders and aligning energy efficiency with agricultural growth.
She said, “These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to improving agricultural productivity and outreaching many livelihoods.”
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2024
