Ethiopia advances livestock practices through Positive Deviance approach

ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has introduced the Pioneer-Positive Deviance (P-PD) approach, a transformative tool aimed at empowering livestock farmers to adapt to climate change and other challenges. 

A series of workshops held in November 2024 at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus in Addis Ababa marked a pivotal step toward integrating P-PD into the nation’s livestock extension system.

The workshops brought together development agents, regional experts, government officials, NGO representatives, researchers, and private sector players to explore how P-PD could support sustainable livestock farming practices in Ethiopia. 

Key outcomes included progress toward practical guidelines for implementing P-PD and strategies to enhance farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing.

P-PD identifies “pioneer households”—farmers who excel despite facing common challenges—and uses their practices as models for broader community learning. 

The approach emphasizes local solutions over external interventions, empowering communities to lead their development.

Adaptation Pioneer Households: A central pillar

A cornerstone of P-PD is the role of Adaptation Pioneer Households (APHs), innovative farmers who adapt to climate stress and serve as agents of change within their communities. 

These households demonstrate practical solutions such as improved feeding techniques, crop residue storage, and haymaking, which are shared through farmer-to-farmer networks and field days.

Through collaboration with APHs, ILRI co-designed extension materials, including booklets and posters, to disseminate successful practices. 

These materials were distributed to thousands of households across multiple regions via veterinary services, community centers, and door-to-door campaigns. 

Feedback from farmers highlighted the materials’ practicality and relevance, reinforcing their value in the Ethiopian context.

Strengthening Ethiopia’s extension system

The workshops at ILRI also focused on scaling P-PD to complement Ethiopia’s extension efforts. 

Strategies discussed included identifying additional APHs, fostering peer-to-peer networks, and integrating P-PD principles into formal programs. 

Participants explored leveraging technology to expand the system’s reach and impact, aiming to promote resilience, productivity, and sustainable livestock practices.

Complementary developments in livestock transport

The introduction of P-PD follows Ethiopia’s launch of its first livestock transportation train earlier in 2024. 

Operated by the Ethio-Djibouti Railway Joint Stock Company, the train facilitates the efficient and stress-free movement of livestock to Djibouti, improving meat quality for export.