The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Ethiopia held its pivotal planning meeting for 2026 at Jimma University, bringing together key stakeholders to solidify strategies aimed at boosting the Jimma zone’s small ruminant sector.
The primary focus of the meeting was to finalize activities for the expansion of commercialization efforts, specifically targeting the Dedo sheep breed in the Jimma region. Dr. Habtwold Deti, representing the Vice President for Research and Partnership at Jimma University, officially opened the proceedings. He underscored the university’s steadfast commitment to driving community transformation through robust, impact-oriented research initiatives. Dr. Habtwold’s remarks set a collaborative tone for the day, emphasizing the role of academic institutions in facilitating agricultural development.
The workshop centered on the four Community-Based Breeding Programs (CBBPs) for Dedo sheep managed by Jimma University. Attendees worked to finalize implementation strategies for 2026 that would not only enhance productivity but also prioritize social inclusion and economic viability. Key areas of focus included increasing women’s participation in the value chain, strengthening cooperative-led market linkages, improving access to finance for breeders, and fostering stronger institutional coordination.
The meeting yielded several concrete outcomes, including an agreement on priority CBBPs and commercialization entry points for the Jimma zone. Partners also identified key support needs for women-centric commercialization of the Dedo sheep program and clarified roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms for the year ahead. The culmination of these discussions was the development of a practical action plan for 2026, outlining specific activities, responsible institutions, funding sources, and clear timelines.
Dr. Aynalem Haile, Principal Scientist and Country Coordinator for Ethiopia at ICARDA, provided a comprehensive overview of ACIAR Ethiopia’s 2026 commercialization strategy. This was followed by an update on the Dedo sheep CBBPs from Aregaw Abera of Jimma University, who shared the program’s achievements, current status, and opportunities, with particular attention to lessons learned from women-led initiatives.
Dr. Tesfaye Getachew, Research Management Coordinator at ICARDA, guided a discussion on CBBP progress, while various partners offered their perspectives on critical areas such as market linkages, cooperative aggregation, enterprise development for women and youth, and access to financial services.
The session also included interactive group work where participants drafted proposed actions and budgets, culminating in presentations that shared responsibilities and timelines for the upcoming year.
The meeting concluded with a strong consensus on the roles, reporting mechanisms, and coordination strategies required to move forward effectively. The agreed-upon action plan is expected to significantly advance the commercialization of Dedo sheep, fostering economic growth and improving livelihoods within the community.
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