Addis Ababa, July 9, 2026 (Ministry of Agriculture) – Ethiopia has recorded significant growth in livestock and fisheries productivity through the implementation of the “Yelemata Tirufat” (Bounty of the Basket) Initiative, driven by major investments in breed improvement, forage development, and animal health services, State Minister, at Ministry of Agriculture Ethiopia, Fikeru Regassa (PhD) announced.

Speaking at a press briefing, the state minister highlighted the achievements of the initiative over the past four years, noting that coordinated efforts to strengthen the livestock sector have substantially increased the production of milk, eggs, poultry, honey, and fish across the country.

According to Dr. Fikeru, the Ministry has focused on expanding access to improved breeds, enhancing feed resources, and strengthening veterinary and animal health services to boost productivity. As a result, the country’s breeding capacity has grown dramatically from 500,000 animals before the launch of the initiative to 4.3 million cows and heifers today.The state minister also reported major progress in poultry development. The annual distribution of one-day-old chicks has increased from 26 million before the initiative to 180 million this year, supporting the expansion of poultry production nationwide.

In the fisheries and apiculture subsectors, the government has invested in the establishment and upgrading of fish fry breeding centers while expanding access to modern beehives. This year alone, the distribution of fish fry reached 16.5 million, while 3 million modern beehives were provided to producers across the country.

The initiative’s impact is reflected in the sharp rise in agricultural output. Milk production increased from 7.1 billion liters to 15.7 billion liters, while chicken meat production grew from 90,000 tons to 253,000 tons during the same period.

Honey production also recorded remarkable growth, rising from 146,700 tons to 428,000 tons, while fish production expanded from 72,400 tons to 307,000 tons, according to the state minister.

Dr. Fikeru emphasized that these achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated interventions aimed at improving productivity and strengthening food security. He added that the government will continue its efforts to further expand production and enhance the livelihoods of farmers and livestock producers throughout the country.