Training of trainers on climate-smart livestock feed resourcing options for Tigray, South Ethiopia, and Afar regions

The training of trainers on climate-smart livestock feed resourcing options for Tigray, South Ethiopia and Afar regions, held on 25–26 June 2025 took place at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Addis Ababa, with practical sessions conducted at the ILRI Bishoftu Genebank field site, the herbage seed unit, and a private feed processing and multi-nutrient block manufacturing plant in Adama. This training was part of the Restoration of Livestock Services in Conflict and Drought-Affected Areas of Ethiopia (RESTORE) project.

The RESTORE project builds on the foundations laid by the EU-funded Health of Ethiopian Animals for Rural Development (HEARD) project. While HEARD focused on animal health interventions, RESTORE expands this approach by incorporating feed-related components to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihood resilience, particularly in drought and conflict affected regions.

RESTORE is organized into five work packages (WPs): WP1: Restore livestock service delivery systems, WP2: Improved veterinary services, WP3: Improved health and food safety standards, WP4: Improved fodder, WP5: Improved hide and skin quality.

This training falls under WP4: Improved fodder, which includes several activities aimed at strengthening fodder systems. One key activity is capacity building in the RESTORE focal regions. Accordingly, the training aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of key livestock value chain actors in the regions of Tigray, Afar, and Southern Ethiopia, focusing on feed sourcing options and improved feed management practices to increase livestock
productivity and resilience.

To support further outreach, training materials were compiled and shared with participants to help them cascade the knowledge and skills to end users in their respective areas.