SNV BRIDGE+ Launched in Addis Ababa to transform and make dairy sector attractive

BRIDGE+ is the second phase of the BRIDGE project, which started in 2018 and has achieved remarkable results in enhancing the productivity, quality, and marketability of dairy products in Ethiopia. The project has reached over 100,000 farmers, supported 70 dairy cooperatives, and facilitated the processing of 150,000 litres of milk per day. Under its school milk program, the project successfully reached 162 kindergarten and primary schools and a total of 81,403 school-age children were having probiotic yoghurt/Fresh boiled milk. Currently, SMP emerged as a new local market opportunity for dairy farmers and processors.

The new phase of the project will build on the successes of the first phase and expand its scope and impact. The project will target 350,000 farmers, 150 agro-input dealers, 150 dairy cooperatives, and 400 commercial dairy farmers. The project will also aim to influence the sector to process one million litres of milk per day, benefit 4.5 million consumers, and provide school milk to one million children.

The project focuses on creating a dairy value chain that is inclusive, sustainable, and profitable for all its participants, including smallholder farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers. The project will also address the challenges of food and nutrition security, poverty reduction, gender equality, youth employment, and climate change.

The launch event was attended by representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Agriculture, SNV, Wageningen University and Research, Agriterra, and other stakeholders. The agreements were signed by SNV Ethiopia Country Director Julie Graham and the Netherlands Ambassador to Ethiopia Henkjan Bakker, witnessed by the Livestock State Minister Fikru Regassa, and BRIDGE Project Manager Rinus Van Klinken.

Speaking at the event, Julie Graham said that the project will transform the dairy and horticulture sectors to bring about real and lasting change for the farmers and the wider communities. She also said that the project will improve access to affordable and safe nutrition, especially for children.

Henkjan Bakker said that the project represents a significant milestone in the collective efforts to improve food and nutrition security and reduce poverty in Ethiopia. He also said that the project is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and consolidate the efforts for the third phase.

H.E. Fikru Regassa expressed his appreciation for the support and partnership of the Netherlands and SNV. He also said that the project will contribute to the national development goals and the vision of becoming a middle-income country by 2025.