Scoping the Ethiopian dairy sector for success

The Dutch organization Agriterra is performing sector-wide scoping in Ethiopia across the entire Ethiopian dairy sector. This scoping is being conducted with the SCOPE Rapid tool. Read on to learn how the project is being conducted and how the data will be used.

The dairy sector in Ethiopia

Worldwide, the dairy sector provides a significant contribution towards livelihoods, economies, and food security. It has a high potential to contribute to the SDGs as well. However, in Ethiopia, the dairy sector does not live up to its full potential. To reach this potential, it is important that governments and development organizations support the dairy sector. To do so, they need data to formulate the most effective intervention strategies.

Performing a sector-wide scoping

Agriterra, co-funded by AMEA and SNV, is collecting data on over one hundred Ethiopian dairy producers. This is being done in concert with the Ethiopian Cooperative Commission (ECC), a government entity focused on supporting and strengthening cooperatives within the country. The data collection is focused on four regions, each with a high potential for dairy: Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, and Southern Nations.

Training for zone data encoders — Data collectors were trained on the SCOPE Rapid. Image source: Agriterra.

To gather this information, Agriterra used the SCOPE Rapid tool. The tool collects a baseline level of information about a cooperative. The information is then displayed in a National Database. Agriterra will use this data, together with the data from more in-depth SCOPE Basic and SCOPE Pro assessments, to develop a strategy for the Ethiopian dairy sector. This strategy aims to take the whole sector to a more professional level and will be presented to ECC. The data from the database can also be used for categorizing, developing policies, and directing funds for interventions such as development programs.

A smooth data collection process

Data encoding by zone encoders — The data was collected initially on paper and then input into the SCOPE Rapid system. Image source: Agriterra.

The data collection was performed by 50 Data Collectors (encoders), directed by Agriterra. According to Hikma Sultan, a Business Advisor at Agriterra who coordinated the project, the process went well. Despite a few early challenges, the data collection was finalized according to schedule. Regarding the partnership with SCOPEinsight, Sultan said: “We were able to finalize on time because of active responses from SCOPEinsight whenever there was a challenge.”

Sultan was also satisfied with the National Database where the data was displayed. She described the format as “simple and attractive.” The information is thorough, and she believes it will be satisfactory for the ECC.

Using the data in the future

The data will show how the dairy value chain is working in the four assessed regions. The sample will make it possible to determine the status of the cooperatives, including general information about members and governance, financial status, and operational performance. This information will be valuable to the dairy sector, which currently suffers from a lack of data that plagues many cooperative sectors. Sultan thought these uses would make the National Database very helpful for the ECC.

Are you interested in doing a sector-wide scoping with the SCOPE Rapid tool? Contact us today to see how we can work together.

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