Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa, is a nation that is known for its dry lands, multicultural communities, and unique challenges. The country has long depended on agriculture, with livestock production being one of the main stays of rural economies. Livestock production in Eritrea is not just an economic endeavor but also a significant cultural and social practice that sustains rural communities.The government and NGOs are working together to support the future of the livestock sector through infrastructure and provision of resources.

To many Eritreans, particularly those living in the rural hinterlands, keeping livestock is much more than just a means of livelihood. It is a source of food, compensation, and social cohesion, where one feels a sense of belonging and attachment to their land. This article discusses the importance of keeping livestock in Eritrea, examining its socio-economic role, its challenges, and its potential for future growth and expansion of the sector.

Livestock production in Eritrea plays a vital role in rural communities in that it plays a vital part in food safety, earning money, and integrating into society.

Livestock in the nation includes cattle, goats, sheep, and camels, and each plays an exclusive role within society and the economy.

Threats include climate change, drought, diseases, inadequate veterinary services, inadequate infrastructure, and overgrazing.

Strategies are implemented to increase livestock breeding, animal health, market access, and climate-smart agriculture in order to raise production.

Livestock farming in Eritrea dates back centuries and is an integral part of the country’s history. The country’s centuries-old nomadic and semi-nomadic patterns have been synonymous with livestock farming. Sheep, goats, cattle, and camels have not only been sources of meat but also markers of status and wealth in societies. These animals provide meat, milk, wool, and hides, which have been vital for survival in the arid and semi-arid environments that feature Eritrea’s landscape.

Apart from being a source of vital sustenance, livestock farming is also a vital undertaking in Eritrean culture and tradition. Traditional celebrations, rituals, and ceremonies always tend to focus on the rearing, trading, and slaughtering of livestock, attesting to their cultural and symbolic significance.

In Eritrea, roughly 70% of the population resides in rural areas, and agriculture, including animal production, is the back-bone of the economy. Animal production plays different roles: it provides food security, brings revenue, maintains local markets, and facilitates social stability.

1. Food Security and Nutrition– Livestock keeping is a critical source of protein for the majority of Eritreans, particularly in rural areas where the other sources of nutrients may not be available. Milk, meat, and eggs are fundamental products in the Eritrean’s diet, which supplies the populations with required nutrients to support healthy living. Livestock serves as a buffer against hunger during periods of drought or crop failure because animals can be disposed of to generate cash to purchase other commodities.

Cattle, in this regard, are most important, since they are both sources of meat and milk. The highland and lowland pastoral communities in Eritrea rely upon their cattle herds not just for food, but also on economic security that accrues from selling milk and beef at local markets.

2. Income Generation– For the majority of rural Eritrean families, livestock generates a sizeable portion of household income. Families can earn enough to sustain their basic needs and even have savings through animal sales or products such as milk, wool, or hides. Livestock also offers a capital asset to be sold or used as collateral for financial undertakings.

Expansion of livestock farming in Eritrea has led to the expansion of local and regional markets where farmers can exchange their animals or animal by-products. Local markets such as those in Asmara, the capital city, or in the local towns are of great significance in the exchange of goods and services. In addition, livestock trade is an important part of border trade, given that Eritrea shares its borders with Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti. Besides providing farmers with revenues, this trade consolidates Eritrea’s relationship with neighboring countries.

3. Social and Cultural Significance– Livestock production in Eritrea is a key part of rural life. Livestock, particularly cattle and camels, are often seen as status and wealth indicators. Having huge flocks of animals indicates prosperity and status in society. This socio-economic importance goes beyond wealth and income, as animals are often employed as dowries when getting married and on other social functions.

Besides this, livestock farming is also responsible for maintaining traditional methods of life and practices. The pastoralist communities have deep experience in animal breeding, animal husbandry, and herding techniques that have evolved over generations. These traditions still play a fundamental role in rural communities’ survival and adaptive abilities in Eritrea.

Eritrea’s livestock is diverse and adapted to various environments ranging from the fertile highlands to arid lowlands. Cattle, goats, sheep, and camels are some of the most common livestock raised in Eritrea. Each of the livestock plays a unique role within Eritrean society.

1. Cattle- Cattle will probably be the most important livestock in Eritrea since they play multiple roles. They are well valued for meat and milk production, as well as their hides, which can be used to produce leather products. The highland areas, where there is plenty of pastureland, are most suitable for cattle rearing. Eritrean cattle, for instance, like the Barka breed, are best adapted to the hot dry lowland conditions as well as the moister, cooler highlands.
2. Goats and Sheep- Goats and sheep are widespread in Eritrea, especially in the arid and semi-arid lowlands. Sheep and goats are suited to and can cope with the harsh conditions of the Eritrean climate. Goats provide a good source of milk, meat, and wool, and sheep provide wool and meat. Sheep and goats can walk, which makes them suitable for grazing the often open vegetation of the lowlands.
3. Camels- Camels, also referred to as the “ships of the desert,” are vital to Eritrean pastoralism, especially in the nomadic Bedouin societies. Camels are valuable sources of milk, meat, and worth in transporting commodities across the harsh desert terrain. Their resistance to extreme temperatures and tolerance to long distances make them an asset for pastoralists in Eritrea.

Despite being in a position of superiority within the Eritrean economy, animal farming is challenged by numerous threats. These jeopardize not just the livelihood of rural farmers but the sustainability of the industry at large.

1. Climate Change and Drought– Eritrea and most of the Horn of Africa are very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Eritrea experiences occasional droughts, which significantly affect livestock grazing. Prolonged periods of dryness reduce water and fodder for animals, leading to deaths among livestock as well as reduced productivity. This subsequently results in income loss by farmers and food insecurity.

Even though pastoralists have adapted to survive drought by moving their herds in quest of better grazing areas, increasing drought frequency and severity have undermined the efficacy of this practice. Unavailability of water resources is particularly challenging in arid regions of the country.

2. Diseases and Veterinary Care– Livestock diseases also represent a major constraint to Eritrean farmers. Inadequate veterinary services, particularly in remote areas, is a condition that the farmers hardly receive access to imperative treatment or immunization for their animals. This explains high livestock death rates and has immensely negative effects on the income of rural families. In addition, livestock migration from one country to another results in transboundary diseases, complicating disease control efforts.
3. Restricted Resources and Infrastructure Access– Availability of facilities such as improved veterinary services, animal husbandry training, and banking facilities is limited in rural Eritrea. Though some assistance is provided by the government and NGOs, the limited infrastructure makes it difficult for most rural communities to access such facilities. Inadequate transport networks also limit farmers’ access to markets, hindering them from selling their produce and earning.
4. Land Degradation and Overgrazing– Overgrazing is another serious issue that afflicts livestock farming in Eritrea. Greater growth of livestock in the remote grazing areas has led to widespread land degradation. Overgrazing removes the nutritional value of the land, reducing the land’s ability to re-grow and support subsequent flocks. It can create a vicious cycle of declining productivity, rising poverty and food insecurity.

As much as there are all these barriers, much hope exists for the future to have livestock farming in Eritrea. Intertwining better methods, increased access to resources, and sponsorship by government, the animal livestock sector will again be a field of provision for rural cultures.

1. Enhanced Livestock Breeding and Animal Health- Better breeding methods and animal health management are some of the best ways to improve livestock production in Eritrea. Farmers’ training, new veterinary methods, and availability of quality feed and supplements will increase the productivity of animal farms. Production of disease-resistant breeds of livestock that can survive diseases and harsh climatic conditions better can also increase the sustainability of the industry.
2. Climate-Smart Practices- To reduce climate change risks, the farmers in Eritrea can encourage climate-smart practices such as rotational grazing, water management practices, and sustainable land management. Government agencies and non-governmental organizations can emphasize farmers’ sensitization on the above steps and supporting farmers to transition towards new environmental patterns.
3. Market Access and Infrastructure Development- Increasing the access to market and transport facilities will allow farmers to sell their produce more effectively and receive greater returns. Increasing the capacities of cold storage, cattle transport networks, and livestock markets would improve the productivity and profitability of the sector. In addition, facilitating easier value-addition processing of livestock products such as dairy or leather products would provide rural residents with additional sources of income.
4. Support from Government and NGOs- Over the last few years, the government of Eritrea sought to integrate the agricultural sector, including animal husbandry. More investment in veterinary complexes, infrastructure, and rural development schemes will be the pillars of the future of the sector. Association with NGOs and international organizations can also bring additional resources and manpower to aid the sector in its struggles against the challenges.

Livestock production remains a vital rural industry of Eritrean economy, providing rural individuals with food, livelihood, and cultural identity. The industry is, however, plagued by a series of problems, ranging from climate change to resource limitations. Despite these issues, the future of livestock production in Eritrea is bright on the basis of improved practices, enhanced market access, and greater government and international community support.

As Eritrea moves into a more sustainable and stronger trajectory, livestock development will continue to be the backbone for its rural communities. Exploring the industry and addressing its constraints directly is the recipe by which Eritrea can assist in stabilizing the lives of its citizens while maintaining rich cultural traditions as well as practices.