This working paper develops and applies an analytical and empirical modelling framework which integrates a sheep flock growth model with and economic model for simulating sheep meat and milk production for ex-ante assessment of the financial profitability of investment interventions to improve sheep production in mixed crop–livestock and agro-pastoral and pastoral production systems in Ethiopia.
The results of bio-economic simulation analysis indicate that the combined investment interventions in sheep health, feeding and management practices to reduce sheep young stock and adult stock mortality is financially viable except for small flock size sheep in the one production system. The investment enhances Ethiopia’s sheep meat self-sufficiency ratio and has a significant impact on sheep keepers’ income.
However, the implementation of the proposed combined investment interventions will require strong private and public partnerships and involve the rationalization and improvement of public and private sector veterinary service provisions and public investments.
Negassa, A., Gebremedhin, B., Desta, S., Nigussie, K., Gebru, G., Shapiro, B.I., Dutilly-Diane, C. and Tegegne, A. 2015. Integrated bio-economic simulation model for sheep production: Ex-ante evaluation of investment opportunities in Ethiopia. LIVES Working Paper 9. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
