Livestock entrepreneurship as an emerging self-employment option for university graduates in Ethiopia: Overview of concerns and potentials for growth

Abstract

Livestock provide high quality food, cash income and employment.   Recently, university graduates have been engaging in self employment on livestock enterprises. Enterprises should have access to adequate levels of information about market, technology, research etc.  However, issues underlying livestock entrepreneurship is not fully addressed in light of a complex set of challenges such as lack of institutional arrangement can be a barrier to realize the potential of self-employment on this industry. Therefore, this paper compiles and synthesizes existing/emerging knowledge on/major aspects of / livestock enterprises and support services including practical skills and information needs among self-employed graduates. Implications for further investigation and interventions and informing institutional policies development on livestock enterprises as a growing employment option are also highlighted. Finally, it is concluded that apart from embedding entrepreneurship education in every department;  support services including livestock-related technical skills and science-based information; and policy/strategies that engage the potential roles of all stakeholders (academic institutions, Micro and small enterprises agency, urban agriculture and Ministry of Agriculture offices and other relevant governmental and Non-governmental organizations and private sectors) need to be in place to make use of Livestock entrepreneurship as a viable career option in the emerging interest of graduates and meet the growing demand of livestock products/commodity.

Keywords: Ethiopia, Livestock entrepreneurship/ enterprises, self-employment; university graduates