Ethiopia is home to Africa's largest livestock population. A 2013 survey by the Central Statistical Agency on country's rural sedentary areas revealed the existence of over 53.99 million heads of cattle and 25.5 million sheep.

 

Despite a stark annual progress, the annual revenue the country gets from the export of meat and meat product stands asymmetrical compared to the potential.

 

For instance, last Ethiopian fiscal year it managed to secure 102 million USD. A goal has been set to raise the revenue to 156 million USD this year while the amount would hit 400 million USD in five years time, according to information from the Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute (EMDIDI).

 

As agriculture is considered to be the main vehicle towards industry-led economy, the livestock sector undoubtedly becomes of greater importance in many respects. It plays roles from creating jobs, increasing hard currency inflow to technology and knowledge transfer. And various incentives are attached to elicit those involved in the sector.

 

A move to surge sector's potential is a 75 million USD worth state-of-the-art abattoir lying on 75 hectares land by an Indian investment Allana Sons Frigorifico Boran Foods PLC at Adami Tulu town of Oromia State which is nearing completion.

 

In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Company General Manager Vijay Dongare said the realization of the company would assist in improving the quality of life of the surrounding community apart from helping to meet national aspirations.

 

He added: "The company will export 300 tons of processed meat product per day."

 

According to Vijay, the company is eyeing US, Europe and mainly the Middle East as its export destinations.

 

He also said Allana decided to invest in Ethiopia for two major reasons, abundant animal resource and government support.

 

He said since the company would apply advanced equipment, no body part of the slaughtered animal is disposed. "Bones and blood will also be processed for export as plate food."

 

Besides export income and 3,000 jobs, he said the company would be involved in community developing building schools, health institutions as well as supplying potable water.

 

EMDIDI Director General Haileselassie Weres said for his part the establishment of the company would scale up country's technological capacity, knowledge transfer, income generation and job creation, among others.

 

According to Haileselassie, the expansion of advanced abattoir and other dairy farm industries would enable the country utilize its enormous resources.

 

He added that the government is working in the areas of animal resource development, infrastructure, market availability, curbing red-tape and ending livestock contraband.

 

A two-day tour to major abattoir investment at Dukem, Modjo, Zeway and Adami Tulu of Oromia State flickers hope that the nation is on track to utilize its livestock potential.

Source : allafrica.com