Land O’Lakes Venture37 to implement NPA-FORAGE project in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 13, 2023 (FBC) – With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Land O’Lakes Venture37 is partnering with Corteva Agriscience, Forage Genetics International (FGI), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and local partners announced a plan to implement Nourishing Prosperity Alliance – Forage for Animal Growth in East Africa project in three regions of Ethiopia.

The Nourishing Prosperity Alliance: Forage for Animal Growth in East Africa (NPA-FORAGE) project will be officially launched in 18th October with participation of leading agricultural businesses to co-invest in early forage market system development in East Africa.

The project is to be implemented from July 2023-2028 in three regions of Ethiopia and two regions of Kenya targeting high-potential dairy areas.

Some 100,000 small holder producers in Ethiopia are said to benefit from the project, O’Lakes Venture37 stated.

In a press release sent to FBC, Krista Maruca, Manager of Strategic Growth, Partnerships and Programs at O’Lakes Venture37, said, the project is aimed to develop more equitable forage markets in Ethiopia by increasing the supply and demand of nutrient-dense forage for smallholder dairy producers, particularly women producers.

According to the Manager, the project would also help increase productivity and profitability and reduce emissions intensity by leveraging climate‐adapted forage varieties and promoting best practices livestock management.

By Wondesen Aregahegn