ADDIS ABABA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia on Tuesday launched a Livestock Identification and Traceability system in a bid to boost livestock exports revenue for its fast growing economy.
The system is a collaboration program between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Ethiopia Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MoLF).
Costing 1.4 million U.S. dollars, the program when fully implemented will gather information regarding origin of the animal, type of husbandry and management system.
With this system in place MoLF hopes to make Ethiopian livestock more competitive in accessing international markets while ensuring quality products for consumers and increased income for farmers.
Ethiopian government data from 2013 indicates the country is home to about 54 million cattle, 25.5 million sheep and 24.06 million goats, giving Ethiopia the largest livestock population in Africa.
