Hide and Skin Value Chain in Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia's economy is predominantly agricultural where the livestock sub-sector plays substantial role. Hides and skin is an important strategic sector for the economic and industrial development of Ethiopia. Though the country has very good potential for supplying finished skins and hides products to the world market, the quality of skins and hides supplied has rather deteriorated over time. Therefore, this seminar was conducted to review hide and skin value chain in Ethiopia, to review hide and skin value chain actors, maps and its value addition in Ethiopia, to review the major constraints and opportunities of hide and skin in Ethiopia ,to review hides and skins production ,utilization and its constraint in Ethiopia and to review hide and skin marketing and its constraints in Ethiopia. Poor quality of hides and skins , Poor animal husbandry ,Improper preserved hides and skins ,Lack of price incentives ,absence of quality grading, reflections of the economic policy, market information, and requirements from the tanneries and end market are main challenge observed hide and skin value chain. Creation of awareness among extension staff, butchers, collectors, tanners and other stakeholders and the general public of the economic importance of hides and skins are very important. Developing Clear pricing system based on grading and standard of hide and skin and improving access to market information As well as Clear policy and strategy for the development of hide and skin sector should be developed by Member State that have not done so far.