(Shebedino, 24 February 2025, Ministry of Agriculture)
Heifer International is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has been working since 1944 to support marginalized communities and smallholder farmers by providing sustainable agricultural assistance.
Heifer International is working actively withe its mission “to end hunger and poverty while caring for earth”.
It operates in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, helping food producers to expand their businesses and achieve sufficient income for sustainable living.
Since 1944, the organization has assisted over 52 million people.
In Ethiopia, Heifer began its operations in 2019 and established partnerships to enhance agricultural activities.
Heifer Ethiopia’s development programs focus on agricultural value chains like poultry and other livestock development (such as goats and sheep), as well as dairy and honey productions.
Additionally, local interventions are designed to mitigate the effects of climate change, providing priority to resilience building.
Furthermore, the programs aim to empower women and youth, support underprivileged smallholder farmers, and promote local sustainability.
Heifer focus on creating job opportunities, enhancing living conditions through innovative practices, and providing long-term economic stability for individuals and communities.
In 2023, Heifer International (HPI) partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture launched “Enhancing Livelihoods of Smallholders through Improved Poultry Business Project (ELSIPB)”.
This project, running from 2024 to 2027, aims to benefit 70 thousand smallholder farmers (50% women and 70% youths) in Sidama, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, and Amhara regions.
In fact, the project targets vulnerable smallholder families to create sustainable income through training and technical support.
By the end of 2027, the goal is to ensure that participating smallholder farmers achieve sustainable income from poultry farming.
The key component of the project is a “gift-sharing” model, enabling participants to share chickens, poultry, training, skills, and knowledge they receive with others, thereby creating job opportunities and promoting community collaborations and responsibilities.
The project encourages participants to cultivate a sense of ownership and responsibility while fostering a “spirit of giving.”
This approach allows communities to collaboratively address their challenges, enhance their values, and improve their local resources, thereby nurturing continuous progress.
To sum up, Heifer International aims to promote sustainable growth in agriculture, enhancing collaboration and participation through strong partnerships with governments and private entities.
Reporter: Bahiru Setegne
Photographer: Getachew Mitiku