Stories
August 14, 2026 • 3 min read
In Ethiopia’s Dasenech District, pastoralists are improving livestock production through new fattening techniques introduced by the PLACE Project. Supported by the European Union through FAO and implemented by GOAL with the district livestock office, the initiative provides training and technical support. Chumere Yerongor and other participants overcame community scepticism and achieved better animal quality and market value. Their results are encouraging wider adoption of improved livestock practices to strengthen livelihoods.
For generations, pastoralist families in Ethiopia’s Dasenech District have relied on traditional livestock management practices passed down through generations. Animals graze freely during the day before returning home in the evening, a system that has sustained communities for decades but often results in low productivity and limited market value.
To improve livestock production and household incomes, GOAL, in partnership with the Dasenech District Livestock Office, launched the PLACE Project with funding from the European Union through FAO. The project introduced improved livestock fattening techniques, encouraging pastoralists to adopt more productive methods while maintaining their traditional livelihoods.
A Lifetime of Experience Meets a New Idea
Thirty-two-year-old Chumere Yerongor, a mother of three, has raised livestock since childhood. Today, her family owns around 25 cattle and more than 35 goats, making livestock their primary source of income.
Like most families in her community, they traditionally released their goats to graze each morning. Children herded the animals throughout the day before bringing them home at sunset, while adults focused on other daily activities.
Everything changed when Chumere attended a livestock fattening training organised through the PLACE Project.
“Keeping goats at home was unheard of,” Chumere recalled. “When GOAL and the government livestock office trained us on improved goat fattening, many people doubted the idea. Neighbours would ask why we trusted advice from people in the city when they believed they already knew everything about raising goats.”
Standing Firm Despite Criticism
Although many people dismissed the new approach, Chumere decided to put the training into practice.
Her determination was shared by fellow pastoralist Totoya Daca, who later won the project’s bull fattening competition. His wife, Guibete Udisa, remembers how difficult those early days were.
“In such a traditional community, even a small change attracts criticism,” she said. “People questioned what we were doing and some even reported us to local leaders, believing we were mistreating our animals.”
Despite the criticism, the participating households remained committed to applying the improved feeding techniques they had learned.
Government Support Reinforces Change
The Dasenech District Livestock Office worked alongside GOAL to ensure the new practices could be sustained.
Temesgen Getiso, Team Leader at the district livestock office, said the government provided continuous technical support while helping pastoralists access the resources needed to produce quality livestock feed.
“We closely follow model pastoralists so their success can encourage others,” Temesgen explained. “Our support includes technical advice, crop seeds for animal feed production, water pumps, solar panels and other assistance that enables pastoralist families to improve livestock productivity.”
Results That Changed Minds
After months of careful feeding and technical follow-up, participating households began seeing significant improvements in the condition and market value of their animals.
To recognise their achievements, GOAL and the district livestock office organised bull and goat fattening competitions, where the top-performing pastoralists received cash prizes.
Chumere emerged as the highest-ranked goat fattener among more than 15 competitors, earning a prize of ETB 10,000. “Winning changed everything,” she said. “People who once criticised us now come to ask how we fatten our goats. They want to learn because they have seen the results for themselves.”
For Temesgen, the competition represented more than an award ceremony. “The competition inspired many pastoralists to follow the example of the model farmers,” he said. “When people see success within their own community, they become much more willing to adopt new practices.”
What began as an unfamiliar idea has become a practical demonstration that combining traditional knowledge with improved livestock management can increase productivity, strengthen household incomes and encourage wider adoption across the pastoralist community.
