Across the South Ethiopian regional state, the livestock directorate of South Ethiopian region was mandated with generation, adaptation, evaluation, demonstration, and dissemination of technologies for livestock: feed and forage, breeding, poultry, fish / aquaculture, apiculture, post‐harvest handling, etc. The directorate work with farmers, pastoralists and agro‐pastoralists. Key functions include assessing what feed resources are available, both natural pastures and crop residues; developing improved forage species; improving feeding systems (e.g. feed supplementation, silage, hay) to reduce seasonal feed deficits.
In breeding, the directorate works to improve local livestock breeds or crossbreeds for traits like growth rate, milk yield, adaptation to local conditions, resistance to disease; they also evaluate performance on‐farm and on‐station. For poultry, fish / aquaculture, apiculture etc., the directorate develop or adapt appropriate breed, housing, management, health / disease control, feed, hatchery / broodstock technologies; postharvest or processing technologies (for milk, meat, honey, fish) are also part of the mandate e.g. improving milk handling, egg storage, fish processing, honey harvesting, etc. These technologies are then demonstrated in “model” or pilot farms, or via extension services to farmers/pastoralists. They also provide training, capacity building, liaise with other agencies, and feed into policy and extension strategies.