Animal Health Service Delivery in Ethiopia: A Review

Ethiopian livestock population has reached about 52 million cattle, 33 million Sheep, 30 million goats and 2.5 million camels. The livestock sub-sector contributes an estimated 12% of the total and over 45% to the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP). However, the benefits derived from livestock are far below the existing potential. While many factors are attributable to the problem, livestock diseases remain the most important constraint to the development of the subsector. This is because livestock diseases are distributed across all agroecological zones of the country. In addition, the Ethiopian Government is building two standard quarantine stations in strategic locations closer to the seaports of Djibouti and Berbera. APHRD is also introducing hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) systems in two model abattoirs, namely, Mojo Modern and Luna. The two export abattoirs are expected to be accredited for HACCP at international levels.