Legal Policy and Institutional Frameworks in IGAD Region

Livestock constitutes a major economic, social and cultural facet of life for about 240 million people of the IGAD region. Livestock contributes 57% of agricultural gross domestic product (AGDP) in this part of the world and supports 70% of the population in terms of livelihoods, nutrition, wealth and social status. Our region has about 520 million livestock of which 242 million (35%) are small ruminants. We are proud to be the one region in Africa that is self-sufficient in terms of meat requirements and we are positioned to achieve the same status in dairy and egg production with the right policies and practices. The region is the leading exporter of livestock in the continent accounting for 42%. The majority of these animals are reared under a transhumant system that requires regular seasonal migration between feeding and watering grounds.