Research on animals is a broad topic that encompasses various areas of study. It can include research on animal behavior, physiology, genetics, ecology, conservation, and more. Animal research is conducted for various reasons, such as understanding biological processes, developing treatments and vaccines, studying diseases, and improving animal welfare.
Animal research is conducted in Ethiopia by a variety of institutions, including universities, research centers, and government entities. Livestock production and health, wildlife conservation, and veterinary care are all important areas of animal study in Ethiopia.
The goal of livestock production research is to improve the productivity and health of domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. This research attempts to improve breeding tactics, animal nutrition and management practices, and disease control in livestock.
It is important to note that animal research is governed by ethical norms and laws to assure the welfare and ethical treatment of the animals involved. Before doing any animal studies, researchers are supposed to observe ethical norms and receive essential licenses from relevant authorities.
More importantly, people have been employing animal products for food self-sufficiency because it is the practice of keeping and utilizing animals for diverse food sources to suit one’s nutritional needs. This can include rearing animals such as cows, pigs, chickens, or goats for meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products.
Essential nutrients including protein, vitamins, and minerals that are required for a balanced diet can be found in animal products. By including these foods in their diets, people or communities want to rely less on outside sources for their food needs.
It is vital to take into account aspects such as the availability of adequate land for raising animals, acceptable animal husbandry practices, accessibility to veterinary care, and the capability to handle and process animal products safely to attain food self-sufficiency utilizing animal products.
However, animal welfare must be prioritized in this procedure. Ethical factors should be taken into account, such as providing animals with adequate housing, nutrition, and healthcare, as well as minimizing undue injury or suffering.
Furthermore, to reduce environmental consequences, sustainable practices should be employed. This includes reducing dependency on unsustainable feed crops by controlling animal waste, employing appropriate grazing techniques to prevent overgrazing, and investigating alternate feed sources.
Taking these factors into consideration, the Ethiopian government introduced the “Yelemat Tirufat” program in 2022. The program is a development strategy centered on nutritional opulence. The term “Lemat” refers to a traditional food container that represents the interaction between farmers, pastoralists, and consumers. It is all about getting enough nutritious food. The campaign’s principal goal is to accelerate efforts in Ethiopia to attain food self-sufficiency at the family and national levels.
Moreover, the program focuses on generating high-quality animal products in large quantities. The Yelemat Tirufat will be implemented over the next four years, to expand dairy output, provide food security, create job opportunities, enhance exports, and substitute native animal products for imported ones.
The program has now begun with milk, eggs, chicken meat, and honey, and it will be expanded to other products after the results are evaluated. More specifically, the initiative intends to raise chicken meat output from 90 thousand tons to 296 thousand tons, milk production from 6.9 billion to 11.7 billion liters, egg production from 3.2 billion to 9.1 billion, and honey production from 147 thousand tons to 296 thousand tons.
Haramaya University (HU) School of Animal and Rangeland Sciences Assistant Professor Tibebu Manaye said that the program is vast and is being implemented across the country. As a result, for the program to be successful, the government and stakeholders must support it through research.
Unlike crops, animal research is time-consuming and expensive, and it is a work that is being embraced by a generation. As a result, in any developing country, research on animals and consuming animals, chickens, and dairy products are considered a luxury. Even people start consuming them when their living conditions improve and their lifestyle is changed.
As a result, the government’s efforts for the Yelemat Turufat program are commendable and should be backed by research. Furthermore, the current focus of the country’s decision-making bodies strengthens the efforts of higher education institutions, particularly Haramaya University, on animal research activities and implementation, he noted.
Haramaya University (HU) School of Animal and Rangeland Sciences Leader for the Animal Production and Health Research Sub-theme and Lecturer and Researcher Gemechu Taffa in his parted noted that the government’s Yelemat Tirufat program will allow research institutes, independent researchers, and universities to perform essential work in the field of animal husbandry and poultry farming research.
Animal research is typically assumed to help future generations. Nonetheless, launching the Yelemat Tirufat program is critical not just for future generations, but also for ensuring food security and healthful foods for the current generation. For example, HU integrates the program with its longstanding extensive knowledge and experience. This will assist in making the program project-based, reliable, and sustainable, among other things.
Furthermore, firms around the world have monopolized chicken production, and no country can use their chicks without their permission. Ethiopia can have its own, improved, efficient, productive chicken species in terms of meat and eggs if the government strongly continues the Yelemat Tirufat program by motivating and supporting research institutes to employ their experience and expertise, he said.
According to him, Ethiopia exports livestock, notably cattle raised in pastoral and semi-pastoral settings. Their meat is great and organic; however, it is less expensive in contrast to other countries. To make cattle pricing competitive, it is critical to fill the gaps through research. The pastoralists face water shortages, fodders insecurity, health issues, and educational challenges. So, without harming community customs and cultural values, it is also beneficial if the government and higher education institutions work together to ensure community ranches. Furthermore, universities and the government should work closely together to address market, health, transportation, and other difficulties.
In general, livestock production research is typically focused on increasing the productivity and health of domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. The goal of this research is to improve cow breeding processes, animal nutrition and management practices, and disease control.
Furthermore, employing animal products for food self-sufficiency might be an attractive alternative for people or communities desiring greater control over their food supply. As a result, the government should leverage the research expertise, knowledge, and experience of livestock institutions to realize the “Yelemat Tirufat” program and provide improved strategies, policy briefings, and execution implementation.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
The Ethiopian Herald October 8/2023
