Heifer Ethiopia Strengthens Partnership with National Government

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At Heifer International, our programmatic model is focused on implementing solutions led by smallholder farmers and local partners. It’s a way of working we’re advancing in Ethiopia with the recent signing of two new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the national government.

The MOUs, signed in June 2023 with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, build on an existing strategic relationship and reflect shared objectives to strengthen agricultural and pastoral livelihoods, transform the agriculture sector and improve food security.

Agriculture is ripe with opportunity in Ethiopia — the sector is responsible for 64% of the country’s employment and nearly 40% of its gross domestic product. But compounding crises — ongoing ethnic conflict, hunger and displacement emergencies, 24% poverty rate, accelerating climate disasters — regularly shift resources away from development efforts.

Despite the challenges, the government is heavily invested in improving the lives of smallholder farmers, with agricultural development named a key priority area in its 10-year economic development plan launched in 2021.

“The government believes agriculture is an economic driver,” said SURITA SANDOSHAM, president and CEO of Heifer International, who was in Ethiopia for the MOU signing ceremonies. “Therefore, the way forward for Heifer is not to create parallel projects, but to build partnerships.”

As part of the project agreement, Heifer conducted comprehensive market system research, including a livestock production system assessment, value chain analysis and feed and animal health systems analysis. Heifer is now providing capacity building for government and project staff, developing co-managed markets, and identifying public, private and producer partnership opportunities to strengthen and commercialize the livestock production system.

“The main goal [of working alongside the government] is to establish a long-term partnership that ensures sustainable income gain for smallholders and pastoralists, and to introduce innovations and impacts at scale,” said Getachew Eshete, program coordinator for Heifer Ethiopia.

The expansion of our partnership, formalized with the new MOUs, recognizes Heifer’s expertise in agriculture and highlights our commitment to be relevant to local needs, establish trust over time and be strategic about how we add value in specific operating environments.

“A program should never come out of someplace else into the country. It needs to grow from within.” — Surita Sandosham

Through the agreements, Heifer Ethiopia will develop the National Lowland and Pastoral Program — a development plan for lowland and pastoral Ethiopia — and support commercialization of the livestock production system in pastoral areas through improved market systems, forage production and animal health service delivery.

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