Ethiopia launches project to boost fishery, livestock production

ADDIS ABABA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's newly established Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Resources on Saturday disclosed a 176-million-U.S.-dollar livestock and fishery sector development project.

The six-year project was launched shortly after the East African country's decision to merge the former ministry of livestock and fisheries with the ministry of agriculture, saying it would spur developments in all involved sectors.

According to the ministry, the Ethiopian government has obtained a loan of some 170 million dollars from the World Bank while 6 million dollars was obtained from the International Development Association (IDA), which would enable the project's implementation.

The project, which will be implemented in six regional states from 2018 to 2023, is expected to enhance productivity of the livestock and fishery sectors.

According to the ministry, the project would benefit more than 1 million fish and animal breeders and cooperatives, with particular emphasis on women and youth.

Ethiopia is one of Africa's largest livestock-endowed countries. However, as a landlocked country, Ethiopia solely depends on lakes and rivers for its demands and consumption for fish products.

Accordingly, the new project is expected to improve breeding techniques as well as strengthening the necessary infrastructures to maintain reliable market linkages.

Ethiopia's Ministry of Science and Technology has previously called for investment in fish development and processing endeavors so as to minimize the existing dependence on imported fish products for the domestic market.

According to Getahun Mekuria, Ethiopia's Minister of Science and Technology, due to the existing lack of modern technologies in the sector, Ethiopia was not so far able to fully utilize its "abundant fish resources." Enditem