Ecmp2 0134340

Ethiopia
As the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopias inuence on world agricultural history is staggering. Now, however, as the countrys population grows, livestock and crops compete for soil, time and resources. Since 2004, Land OLakes has been helping Ethiopians restore a healthy balance to their land, all the while creating more robust value chains. These are providing better jobs, nutrition and livelihoods to smallholders, producer groups and populations with increased vulnerability due to HIV/AIDS or persistent food insecurity.
Ethiopia Dairy Development Project (EDDP), September 2005 September 2011

At the outset of the $5 million EDDP effort, funded by USAID, Ethiopias dairy industry was wrought with ineciencies. With poor milk quality, unorganized farmers and systemic problems that created waste, investors were deterred and the milk reaching consumers had limited nutritional value. But through incremental improvements, Land OLakes has been enhancing the demand for milk, while making the industry more attractive to investors. Along the way, Land OLakes has created jobs at various stages along the dairy value chain, and strengthened production technology so as to improve the quality of milk that reaches consumers. First, Land OLakes helped form producer organizations and strengthen existing cooperatives, so that members could understand consumer demand and apply best management practices in reaching consumers. Next, we trained the cooperatives in milk collection and cooling, applying new technologies, and marketing to existing and new consumers. We also trained articial insemination technicians, community animal health workers, and business development service providers to improve dairy and livestock services. Based on our initial success, Land OLakes received an
additional $4 million from the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to build the capacity of
support associations to provide people living with HIV (PLHIV) with dairy-based livelihoods. Altogether, EDDP established the roots for private investment that could generate employment and income for smallholder families, and provide aordable, highquality, nutritious dairy products for Ethiopian consumers. EDDP has already reached approximately 33,500 smallholder farmers. Results include: Improved dairy sales have increased participating producer groups earnings from $620,000 to $7.3 million. Assisted producer groups are marketing 55,541 liters a day, exceeding the target of 32,000. More than 26,000 farmers trained in natural resource management, expanding land managed through NRM practicesfrom 80 to 7,500 hectares. Assisted over 10,000 PLHIV to begin livelihoods activities along the dairy value chain.
Minnesota Headquarters: 1080 W. County Road F, MS 5120, Shoreview, MN 55126 U.S.A.; Phone: 1-651-494-5142 Washington, D.C.: 1800 North Kent Street, Suite 901, Arlington, VA 22209 U.S.A.; Phone: 1-703-524-1739 Nairobi: Westlands o Peponi Road, Peponi Plaza-A3, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya; Phone 254-20-374-6034
Milk Marketing and Processing: Pilot Activities for Mekelle and Humera December 2004 - February 2006
Under a $245,000 grant from Irish Aid, Land OLakes established milk collection and bulking centers in the Northern Ethiopian State of Tigray towns of Mekele and Humera, which helped farmers turn the centers into sustainable businesses. Land OLakes focused on processing techniques that could bring healthier products to market more eciently. Land OLakes training included animal production and breeding, milk handling at farm and collection center levels, milk processing, quality control and product development, including packaging and marketing. These pilot collection centers served as a model for future investments in Tigrays dairy industry.
Success Story: Dairy Business Skills Training Creates Opportunity for PLHIV
here were approximately 1.1 million Ethiopians living with HIV at the end of 2009. As the number of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) increasesmore than 241,000 by the end of 2009people are living longer and are healthy enough to support themselves through work. At the same time, many nd themselves isolated and in need of livelihood training and opportunities. Since 2008, Land OLakes International Developments Ethiopian Dairy Development Project (EDDP) has been helping to create livelihoods and improve household incomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and orphans and vulnerable children by linking them to lucrative economic opportunities in the dairy sector. Land OLakes has partnered with 36 community-based organizations (CBOs) who support PLHIV. With one CBO, the Edelawit PLHIV Association, EDDP has conducted dairy business skills training with 67 of its members in Sendafa, a town that lies 40 kilometers outside the capital of Addis Ababa. The people of Sendafa are predominantly dependent on farming, as the area has a high potential for dairy production and expansion. Previously, Edelawit focused mostly on HIV-related nutritional awareness and home-based care. By working with EDDP, the association is better able to provide its members with economic strengthening opportunities and expand its impact. In response to a query about the usefulness of the business skills training, Edelawit Secretary Amsale Tashe stated, I am very pleased with this training; I can transfer knowledge on how to earn money and how to start a business. I am a model for the community. Edelawits Manager Kebede Terfe added, We are very interested in starting cooperatives. This training has increased our interest in engaging in business activities and has showed us the signicance of dairy opportunities. In addition to training, EDDP has comprehensive business plans that can support beneciaries in advocating for a loan. Beneciaries welcome the increased availability of loans through micro and small enterprises.
These trainings, funded by USAID through the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), introduce HIVaected individuals to potential income generating activities (IGAs) in the dairy sector and provide them with basic business skills and the related expertise they need to succeed in these IGAs. An intensive dairy business skills curriculumincluding dairy industry familiarization, business planning, market assessments, and information about how to access nance, and conduct accounting and recordkeepingequips beneciaries with the basic tools to form a cooperative or start a dairy business. Aside from building important livelihood skills, the training has enhanced beneciaries sense of community and solidarity. For many, the training was the rst time Edelawit members gathered publicly with other PLHIV. Edelawit Association member Tayech Gugsa expressed, I isolated myself for a long period of time. I came today because of this training. Now, I feel happy because of the training and [my ability to be myself within] the community. When I was isolated, I felt alone; it was very dicult. EDDPs intervention provides important social support by strengthening the ability of HIV-aected community members to care for themselves, and reducing their social and economic isolation. So far, Land OLakes has provided more than 10,000 PLHIV in Ethiopia with the business skills they need to engage in income generating activities along the dairy value chain.

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Ethiopia

Ethiopia Dairy Development Project (EDDP), September 2005 September 2011

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