Improving Access to and Consumption of Animal Source Foods in Rural Households: The Experiences of a Women-Focused Goat Development Program in the Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in Africa and its population experiences low and falling life expectancy rates, high infant, child and maternal mortality and high rates of child malnutrition. This is exacerbated by the fact that Ethiopia is not self-sufficient in animal products and is a net importer of food. For the majority of the population, most food energy (93%) is derived from vegetable products with 7% coming from animal source foods (ASF). FARM-Africa hypothesizes that the inadequate nutritional status of the population, which contributes to the high mortality rates in the country, is related to the population's low consumption of ASF, such as milk and meat. This article presents the findings of the Dairy Goat Project, the objectives of which included the improvement of family welfare through the generation of increased income and milk consumption. The project adopted an integrated approach and increased the productivity of local goats managed by women through a combination of better management techniques, genetic improvements and information exchange. Through pre- and post-intervention analysis of data of those households within the project area, FARM-Africa demonstrated a considerable improvement in the nutritional status and family welfare of project participants. There was increased appearance of milk and meat products in local diets, and the addition of other foods, such as eggs and fresh vegetables, as a result of complementary activities established with funds generated through the principal activities of the Dairy Goat Project.

Heifer‐in‐trust, Social Protection and Graduation: Conceptual Issues and Empirical Questions

“…The NGO Farm-Africa has been involved in small-scale goat development in East Africa since 1988, and this work provides one of the best documented examples of the use of the heiferin-trust approach (or what Farm-Africa refer to as 'goat credit') (Ayele and Peacock 2003;Ahuya et al 2005;Dennis et al 2008;Peacock 2005;Peacock 2008;Peacock and Sherman 2010). While the term social protection is not used in relation to this work, the objectivesasset building, improved nutrition, increased income -resonate strongly with social protection discourse, as do the stated target groups: 'particularly vulnerable households', 'the poorest of the poor', 'those affected by HIV/AIDS' and 'households headed by women' (Peacock 2008).…”

“…In some locations beneficiaries have had access to a micro-credit fund and were helped to start e.g. back-yard poultry enterprises (Ayele and Peacock 2003).…”

“…Ayele and Peacock (2003) suggest 'it is not uncommon to see 100% of such repayments made within 2 years' (as a result, in part, of 'peer pressure'); while Peacock (2005) asserts that these kinds of schemes 'can be self-administered by even illiterate people and the revolving fund managed in this way is 'inflation-proof' and can increase and multiply benefits very widely with repaid stock lent to new members'.…”

“…Ayele and Peacock (2003) report increased milk consumption, income generation, investment in productivity enhancing crop technology, higher crop yields, asset creation and 'up to 20% of the households have moved into ownership of cattle, generally cows'. Even more impressive is the claim that participating farmers experienced approximately a 10-fold increase in both annual income (from $93 to $995) and the value of goat assets (from $156 to $918) (Peacock 2008, citing Laker andOmore (2004)).…”

Effect of nutrition education and dairy group membership on nutrition knowledge, practices and diet quality for rural Kenyan farm women

“…Building capacity to increase food production is considered a holistic way to improve nutritional outcomes [7]. However, agricultural projects with specified nutritional objectives are associated with greater nutritional outcomes than agricultural projects alone [8,9,10,11]. To prevent micronutrient deficiencies, food-based strategies are considered more appropriate and sustainable than fortification and supplementation particularly in resource-poor areas with limited access to health services, including supplement distribution [11,12].…”