Addis Ababa, October 19, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopian shipment of livestock by train for export markets is anticipated to generate substantial outcomes and unlock immense potential, State Minister of Agriculture, Fikru Regassa revealed.
The lack of proper systems to regulate the sector, the prevalence of illegal livestock trade, and inadequate holding facilities have been cited as major barriers, it was learned.
To address these issues, Ethiopia has recently launched the first-ever shipment of livestock by train from Adama to neighboring Djibouti.
It is believed that transporting livestock by train will reduce the burden on traditional transportation methods, improving the quality and efficiency of exports.
Agriculture State Minister Fikru emphasized that the ministry has prioritized enhancing livestock production and productivity while ensuring the country reaps the maximum economic benefits from the sector.
While efforts are underway to bring positive changes in agriculture and other economic activities through the effective utilization of Ethiopia’s livestock wealth, the State Minister acknowledged that the progress made so far is still insufficient.
To address this gap, the Ministry of Agriculture is actively working on initiatives aimed at improving the productivity of the country’s livestock resources and ensuring their proper utilization, he noted.
As a result, expanding rail transport for livestock export is seen as a crucial step in overcoming previous challenges in quality and logistics, particularly the deterioration of livestock during long road transport.
The rail transport initiative, which has been operational for the past two months, ensures the safe and efficient delivery of livestock to Djibouti without any significant challenges, Fikru pointed out.
According to him, in the past, livestock transported by truck faced numerous issues, such as exposure to extreme weather conditions and deterioration in quality, as reported by ENA. The introduction of rail transport is expected to resolve these problems effectively.
The direct rail transport of livestock from Adama to Djibouti is anticipated to bring about a transformative impact on the livestock export sector, ensuring higher quality and faster delivery to international markets.