In the sun-scorched landscapes of Eritrea, a quiet revolution is brewing, one that could reshape the future of dairy farming and lift thousands out of poverty. At the heart of this transformation is a groundbreaking study led by Stephen Onakuse, a researcher from University College Cork, which delves into the intricate relationship between smallholder dairy productivity and poverty reduction. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, offer a roadmap for empowering farmers, particularly women, and boosting the dairy sector’s commercial potential.
Eritrea’s dairy industry is a microcosm of the country’s broader agricultural challenges. Smallholder farmers, often operating on the margins, struggle with low productivity and limited market access. Onakuse’s research, however, reveals that empowerment programs tailored to these farmers can significantly enhance their livelihoods. “Empowerment is not just about giving farmers tools and knowledge,” Onakuse explains. “It’s about creating an environment where they can thrive, where they can access markets, and where their voices are heard.”
The study, which surveyed 379 households across three Eritrean communities, used the Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) and an instrumental variable estimator (IVE) to quantify the impact of empowerment initiatives. The results are striking: empowerment led to an 11.50% increase in labor productivity for male-headed households and an 18.49% increase for female-headed households. Moreover, it resulted in poverty reduction of 10.57% and 9.91%, respectively.
But the journey to empowerment is not without its hurdles. The research highlights significant gender disparities, with male household heads being more empowered than their female counterparts. In the Zoba (regional) of Anseba, for instance, all households were found to be disempowered, with similar trends observed in Debub and Maekel. These disparities underscore the urgent need for context-specific, innovative strategies that can boost productivity and market access, particularly for female farmers.
The commercial implications of this research are profound. By empowering smallholder dairy farmers, Eritrea can unlock a new wave of economic growth. Increased productivity means more milk to sell, higher incomes for farmers, and a more robust dairy industry. Moreover, by addressing gender disparities, the country can tap into the full potential of its agricultural workforce, driving sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Onakuse’s recommendations are clear: involve more women in empowerment strategies, promote gender equality, and support sustainable development. “Women are a vital part of the dairy sector,” he asserts. “By empowering them, we can reduce the gender gap and create a more inclusive, productive, and profitable industry.”
As Eritrea stands on the cusp of a dairy revolution, the lessons from Onakuse’s research offer a beacon of hope. By empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women, the country can transform its dairy sector, reduce poverty, and drive sustainable economic growth. The journey is long, but the destination is clear: a future where every farmer, regardless of gender, can thrive and prosper. The study, published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, is a call to action, a roadmap for a brighter, more empowered future for Eritrea’s dairy farmers.