At dawn in Ethiopia’s Menz province, Mr Nekatibeb Feredegn, a farmer, watches over his sheep as they scatter across the hills.
For years, his flock has been his safety net, something to rely on when crops failed, emergencies struck or funds were needed. He sold animals only when necessary, often at low prices, and with little control over when, how or to whom. Today, his approach has changed.
‘These sheep are now my business,’ said Mr Nekatibeb. ‘I plan for the market. I feed them well and earn more than ever before. When I look at my sheep today, I don’t just see animals, I see my future growing.’
His story reflects a community transformation shaped by ACIAR-supported research, strategic partnerships and persistence.
A system full of potential
Ethiopia is home to millions of sheep and goats, vital to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially women and landless households.
Yet for years, the sector struggled to deliver meaningful income.
Low productivity, limited access to quality feed, weak market systems and poor access to finance kept many farmers trapped in subsistence farming.
In community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) farmers have worked collectively to improve the productivity and resilience of their local breeds. The CBBPs serve as an alternative to centralised, government-controlled breeding schemes, focusing on pooling local animal resources, training farmers in selective breeding and establishing communal recording systems.
CBBPs are an effective way for improving the genetics of small ruminants, as the programs consider farmers’ needs, views and decisions, actively involving them throughout.
CBBPs are one of the most accessible and inclusive pathways to improve rural livelihoods.
But to unlock their full potential, we must move beyond productivity and connect farmers to markets, services and opportunities that create lasting impact.
Dr Steven Crimp,
ACIAR Research Director
Small sheep, big business
In Menz, the results are already visible. What began as a small pilot livestock market has grown into a dynamic rural economy.
In 2024, farmers sold just 124 sheep during the Ethiopian New Year market. By the 2025-2026 Christmas season, sales have surged to 2,153 sheep.
Over five festive cycles, farmers sold 5,662 sheep, earning around A$475,000 in revenue.
These figures highlight a fundamental shift in herd management and the economic returns of this practice change.
‘In the past, farmers were producing without clear market signals,’ said Dr Tesfaye Getachew, a scientist at ICARDA. ‘Now production is driven by demand, and farmers know what the market wants and are preparing their animals accordingly.’
Even the animals reflect the progress.
Menz sheep, traditionally one of Ethiopia’s smallest breeds, now average 38 kilograms, with some exceeding 50 kilograms.
Better genetics, combined with improved feeding and organised marketing, are translating into encouraging income gains.
