ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF ENHANCED DAIRY SECTOR GROWTH PROJECT IN ETHIOPIA (EDGET) AND SATISFACTION OF ITS BENEFICIARIES: The case of Amhara, Oromia and SNNPRs regions

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess farmers’ assessment of the contribution of enhanced dairy sector growth project in Ethiopia (EDGET) and satisfaction of its beneficiaries. The study used descriptive statistics research with qualitative data. The sample frame was from the selected two kebeles (one from well performing and one from poor performing kebele in livestock extension activities) of each regions of the Amhara, Oromia and SNNPRs. The selection was based on the consultation and recommendation of regional livestock experts and Enhanced Dairy sector Growth in Ethiopia project regional managers. The sample was taken from each kebele stratified as female and male headed household. The data from the beneficiary dairy farmers were analysed by using descriptive statistics on the variables: dairy beneficiary farmers satisfaction on milk production by the EDGET project support, on the intervention of the EDGET project for an increase on milk consumption specially for children (under two years old and women (pregnant and lactating) through awareness creation, on an increase in income of the dairy beneficiary farmers from dairy related activity, on the process of EDGET project extension support to beneficiary farmers. Whereas the data collected from the government livestock bureau on the contribution of the EDGET project to the sector: EDGET project contribution to the sector, the level of the project objective alignment to the government office objectives, assessment of EDGET project activity, and evaluation of the EDGET project beneficiary with non-beneficiary farmers by the government livestock staffs. The result showed that the beneficiary farmers were satisfied in the milk production per cow per day and obtaining additional income from the dairy business except the female headed households of the poor performing kebele with 3.4 to 3.9 (between neutral and agreed point in the Likert scale). In all region, the female headed households were less satisfied as compare to the male headed household in the EDGET project extension supports. The government livestock expert staffs agreed with more than 4 point in Likert scale for the EDGET project is positive contribution to the sector. Finally, the government livestock expert staffs had shown that EDGET project beneficiary dairy farmers had positive difference on the milk production, on the milk hygienically handling and overall cow as well as calf management practices with respect to the non-beneficiary farmers. Therefore, the study result revealed that EDGET project satisfied to the beneficiary farmers and also contributed to the dairy sector except on the awareness creation for the improvement on the milk consumption. Hence the study recommend to get experience or align this activity with ministry of health through the health extension workers and voluntary community health workers.