USAID-Livestock Market Development Second Quarter Report (Oct.-Dec. 2014)

The project aims to expand livestock markets for smallholder producers, improve the productivity and competitiveness of livestock value chains, and enhance the nutritional status of rural households. The project is implemented through five components: Moving from Analytics to Strategy to Learning, Improving the Productivity and Competitiveness of Livestock Value Chains, Spurring Investment and Innovation, Improving the Enabling Environment of Livestock Value Chains, and Enhancing the Nutritional Status of Rural Households. Component 1 focuses on moving from analytics to strategy to learning, with a primary goal of developing a comprehensive understanding of the livestock value chain in Ethiopia. This component involves the development of a livestock market information system, the establishment of a livestock working group, and the conduct of research on the livestock value chain. Component 2 aims to improve the productivity and competitiveness of livestock value chains through a range of strategies, including linking value chain actors to input and service providers, establishing and strengthening input suppliers and service providers, improving livestock management, and improving post-production relationships, efficiencies, and quality. Component 3 focuses on spurring investment and innovation in the livestock sector, with a primary goal of strengthening the value chain businesses. This component involves the use of innovation grant funds to support the development of new technologies and business models, as well as the stimulation of investments and access to finance throughout the value chain. Component 4 aims to improve the enabling environment of livestock value chains, with a primary goal of facilitating and empowering stakeholders for policy reform and advocacy. This component involves capacity building for public and private stakeholders, institutional coordination among stakeholders, and applied research for development. Component 5 focuses on enhancing the nutritional status of rural households through the intake of livestock products, with a primary goal of improving the availability of livestock-based foods. This component involves behavioral change and communication, as well as the improvement of availability of livestock-based foods. The project has made significant progress in the second quarter of 2014, with a focus on implementation of activities, strengthened catalytic and innovative support to the private sector, and built strong and productive engagement with government institutions. The project has also made progress in the development of a livestock market information system, the establishment of a livestock working group, and the conduct of research on the livestock value chain. The project has also achieved several intermediate results, including the establishment of a livestock identification and traceability system, the development of a livestock market information system, and the conduct of research on the livestock value chain. The project has also made progress in the development of a pro-poor value chain development strategy, as well as the establishment of a public-private partnership to support the development of the livestock sector. Overall, the AGP-LMD project is making significant progress in its efforts to expand livestock markets for smallholder producers, improve the productivity and competitiveness of livestock value chains, and enhance the nutritional status of rural households.