Women-Led Poultry Producing Proup in Ethiopia Brings Gender Equity Through Income

A community in Hamar Woreda, South Omo Zone, Ethiopia, is reshaping traditional gender roles and fostering entrepreneurship through an innovative poultry farming initiative. 

Launched in 2020 as part of the iDE-led ‘Resilience in Pastoral Areas’ (RIPA) South project, in partnership with Global Communities and GOAL Ethiopia, the USAID-funded program aims to empower women and youths  through economic development. “I’m proud of our status in the community—our status in the family. I am happy,” said Berie Bagar, a member of the 25 -person women's enterprises group  involved in poultry production in Dimenka Kebele, Hamar, South Omo. 

In southern Ethiopia's pastoral areas, prolonged drought and insufficient rainfall have jeopardized community livelihoods and heightened vulnerability. Through a variety of wage and self employment initiatives across nutrition, agriculture, and training, the RIPA program aims to improve resilience in communities through youth employment and skills development. IDE's comprehensive training program equipped the 89 female participants with essential skills in poultry management, egg collection, and nutrition. The project, aimed at empowering women and providing alternative income sources, began with a grant of 300  two-month-old chickens, feed  and a poultry house. A year after the project began in her community, Bagar expressed optimism, noting the positive changes made possible because "we're doing everything we can in this group."

iDE believes in catalyzing the power of local markets to reduce poverty. The organization works with local entrepreneurs who connect underserved, last-mile markets with products and services that enable people to move up the economic ladder. Rather than providing cookie-cutter “solutions” that only last for the short term, iDE spends the time required to understand problems and develop lasting solutions, adapted to each context.  Today, more than 1,100 young people, like Bagar and her cooperative, have begun operating businesses in 9 different value chains across southern Ethiopia, with many investing their own savings.This change in perspective reflects broader shifts in gender dynamics within the community.Women in Bagar's enterprises group from Dimenka Kebele have also seen gender attitudes shift as a result of the poultry venture's success. While initially skeptical of the business, with many women needing their husbands' permission to participate, men are now more supportive, even helping with some tasks.

“Eggs are now a staple in our diet,” said Bagar. “They’re vital for our children’s growth and help in preventing illnesses.” Nutritional improvements are also another major success of the project. More eggs have helped enterprises group members to diversify their families' diets by incorporating more vegetables and eggs for their children. The women’s cooperative, which manages the poultry farm, has also secured agreements with local hotels and lodges to purchase their eggs, ensuring a consistent income for Bagar and the other co-op members. “Our profits are shared among the members, with a portion saved for communal use,” explained Gadi Ayoh, another poultry enterprises group member. “This model supports our families and also contributes to our community’s development.”

Yet challenges still persist. Feed supply remains a critical issue, and there is a need for replacement chickens to maintain productivity. The enterprises group is actively seeking solutions, including partnerships to establish local feed stores and improve the supply chain.

Looking ahead, the women are planning to expand their activities by setting up a mill for processing seeds to address ongoing feed supply issues and hopefully create additional revenue streams.“We’re excited about the future,” added Ayoh. “Expanding our activities will strengthen our economic position and provide more opportunities for growth.”By empowering women and fostering community-led development, the Hamar poultry coop provides a hopeful blueprint for similar efforts across the region through iDE’s market-based model of entrepreneurship. 

“We hope our children will continue this work and contribute to our community’s progress,” said Ayoh. While younger children are not currently involved, there is a strong desire to pass on the skills and knowledge to the next generation.