Dairy development in Ethiopia:

Ethiopia holds large potential for dairy development due to its large livestock population, the favorable climate for improved, high-yielding animal breeds, and the relatively disease-free environment for livestock. Given the considerable potential for smallholder income and employment generation from high-value dairy products, development of the dairy sector in Ethiopia can contribute significantly to poverty alleviation and nutrition in the country. Like other sectors of the economy, the dairy sector in Ethiopia has passed through three phases or turning points, following the economic and political policy in the country. In the most recent phase, characterized by the transition towards market-oriented economy, the dairy sector appears to be moving towards a takeoff stage. Liberalized markets and private sector investment and promotion of smallholder dairy are the main features of this phase. Milk production during the 1990s expanded at an annual rate of 3.0 percent compared to 1.63-1.66 percent during the preceding three decades. Review of the development of dairy sector in Ethiopia indicates that there is a need to focus interventions more coherently. Development interventions should be aimed at addressing both technological gaps and marketing problems. Integration of crossbred cattle to the sector is imperative for dairy development in the country. This can be achieved either through promotion of large private investment to introduce new technology in the sector such as improved genotypes, feed and processing, and promotion of integration of crossbred cattle into the smallholder sector through improving their access to improved cattle breeds, AI service, veterinary service, and credit. Similarly, government should also take the lead in building infrastructure and providing technical service to smallholders. Severe shortages, low quality and seasonal unavailability of feed likewise remain as major constraints to livestock production in Ethiopia. These constraints need to be addressed and technological change be promoted to increase milk production.Ethiopia, Dairy products industry, Livestock productivity Ethiopia, Africa sub-Saharan, East Africa,

Exploitation of Tartary Buckwheat as Sustainable Ingredient for Healthy Foods Production

AbstractTartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn) is a minor crop belonging to the Polygonaceae family that can be considered as sustainable crop thanks to its low input requirements. It is a pseudo-cereal known for its high healthy value related to antioxidant compounds present in its grains. For this reason it could be employed for the production of functional foods. This paper as well as reviewing about the agronomical and nutritional traits of buckwheat also provides the latest experimental results achieved by ENEA research activities

How to make a milk market: A case study from the Ethiopian highlands

Some smallholders are able to generate reliable and substantial income flows through small-scale dairy production for the local market; for others, a set of unique transactions costs hinders participation. Co-operative selling institutions are potential catalysts for mitigating these costs, stimulating entry into the market, and precipitating growth in rural communities. Trends in co-operative organisation in East African dairy are evaluated. Empirical work focuses on alternative techniques for effecting participation among a representative sample of peri-urban milk producers in the Ethiopian highlands. The techniques considered are a modern production practice (crossbred cow use), a traditional production practice (indigenous cow use), three intellectual-capital-forming variables (experience, education and extension) and the provision of infrastructure (as measured by time to transport milk to market). A Tobit analysis of marketable surplus generates precise estimates of non-participants distances to market and their reservation levels of the covariates measures of the inputs necessary to sustain and enhance the market. Policy implications focus on the availability of crossbred stock and the level of market infrastructure, both of which have marked effects on participation, and, inevitably, the social returns to agro-industrialisation

Promoting Collaboration in Jabodetabekjur: A Learning Regions Perspective on Knowledge-Based Economy

This research raised issues on knowledge – based economy (KBE) in Jabodetabekjur, especially Bogor, Depok and South Tangerang. Using qualitative approach, this research examines collaboration involving city governments, college/research institutions, businesses/industries,communities and found the reasons why collaborations for the beneft of KBE in Jabodetabekjur as a learning region has not established yet. The causes are: (1) lack of cohesion in terms of policy/administration, ecology, economics and social system; (2) institutional failure; (3) non optimalregional cooperation; (4) unalignment with the national urban development strategies; and (5) loss of momentum in KBE development. Learning regions can be constructed by analyzing a path or trajectories combined with the potentials of the urban region elements (Academicians, Businesses, Communities and Governments). They can also be constructed via governance approach and development of appropriate organizational models. City’s administrations should take active roles as the initiator of the collaboration process opted by certain types and activities. Strategy and policy – making related to collaboration gave rise to: (1) KBE development themes; (2) vision/ mission statements; and (3) principles of engagement and capacities. Resources gaps were found and can be applied as inputs to build joint projects, namely: (1) incubation and innovation centers; and (2) product innovation promotion center

Development of innovative technologies in the agricultural industry

The article explores the development of engineering technologies. Problems of the agricultural sector which affect the improvement and development of the technological process were identified. It was emphasized that new technologies can reconstruct the structure of the agricultural industry and provide the population with agricultural products. The analysis of the economic activity of agricultural enterprises of the Russian Federation, new technologies and research programs for the development of the agricultural industry was conducted to summarize and describe the latest engineering technologies using special specialized equipment. Attention was paid to the development of energy and resource-saving technologies, which play a key role in processing, harvesting, and transporting crops and increasing yields and shelf life of foods. Scientific and practical recommendations for improving energy-resource-saving technologies in the agricultural industry were developed