July 14, 2007

ACDI/VOCA Establishes Livestock Market Site in Andido, Ethiopia

Under its Pastoralist Livelihoods Initiative-Livestock Marketing Project, ACDI/VOCA inaugurated the Andido Livestock Market in Ethiopia’s Afar Region on July 14, 2007. The Andido Livestock Market, funded by USAID’s Famine Fund, strengthens important links in the livestock market value chain by creating a central business location for pastoralists and providing the opportunity for owners to hold animals until the next market day when they may be able to receive a higher price.

"It will improve marketing transactions and help to maintain the condition of the animals until they reach the terminal markets, all the while boosting pastoralists bargaining power," ACDI/VOCA Country Representative for Ethiopia and Chief of Party for the PLI project Brutawit Dawit Abdi said.

Andido is one of 25 livestock market sites that were selected after consultations with traders, pastoralists, local partners and local government representatives to create better economic opportunities for smallholder pastoralists in Ethiopia. The livestock market in Andido has loading ramps to ease transportation of livestock, holding areas, veterinary facilities, detention pens for sick animals and spaces for feeding and watering.

ACDI/VOCA’s strategy recognizes that pastoralism is not inherently market oriented—that pastoralists typically focus on minimizing risk and vulnerability rather than maximizing profits—but this project helps pastoralists to achieve both by creating access to more profitable markets. By strengthening the competitiveness of the Ethiopian livestock industry, ACDI/VOCA is improving pastoralist livelihoods and increasing their economic resistance.