Livestock Development Institute Focused on Hybridization of Cattle to Boost Production

Addis Ababa, June 27, 2025 (ENA) -- In its effort to boost milk and meat production and productivity, the Livestock Development Institute is working hard on hybridization of cattle, the director-general said.

The Livestock Development Institute has graduated 543 artificial insemination technicians in the current Ethiopian fiscal year, of which 153 graduated today.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Livestock Development Institute Director-General Asrat Tera said hybridization is contributing significantly to boosting production and productivity of cattle, especially in milk and meat products, in Ethiopia.

A local cow provides 1.5 liter milk per day whereas a hybridized one could provide upto 15 liters milk per day.

Therefore, the institute has intensified its effort to boost milk product through hybridization of various cattle species from home and abroad, Asrat stated.

Similarly, meat of hybridized bulls is much better than the local ones.

 

According to the director-general, Bounty of the Basket (Yelemat Trufat) Initiative plays a crucial role in boosting milk and the meat productivity.

With respect to this, the nation-wide annual milk production that was about 5 billion liters per year has increases to 12 billion liters per year, following the initiative.

He added that 3.3 million cattle have been hybridized during the past 11 months, and the target is to hybridize 4.9 million by the end of the next Ethiopian New Year.

The Livestock Development Institute (LDI) was established with the primary goal of ensuring equitable and environmentally sustainable breed productivity, product quality, and market competitiveness in Ethiopia’s livestock sector.