Applying advanced reproductive biotechnology to dairy cattle is indicated as a way to rectify the underwhelming performance of the industry plagued with dismal production and earnings.

Following a long-term engagement with genetic improvement through cross-breeding techniques, experts drawn from the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Artificial Genetics Institute, the Livestock Development Institute and Ethiopian International Agriculture Research released a standard last month.

They acknowledged that a limited understanding of key procedures was observed in small and large e-scale dairy production, which calls for intervention.

Although artificial insemination and estrus synchronisation were already used in the country, protocols to advance the procedure by selecting the appropriate genotype and production environment were put forth by the experts.

It encompasses minimum requirements for equipment, protocols on estrus synchronisation and necessary training needed to qualify as artificial insemination technicians.

"Limited technical knowledge is probably the biggest drawback," said Lema Gemeda. He was part of the team involved in the preparation of the guidelines as the head of the dairy production directorate at the Ministry.

Lema acknowledged a significant lag in the adoption of biotechnology while urging a concerted effort to meet the shortage of skilled labour.

Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa with 70 million cattle, 52.5 million goats and 8.1 million camels. Meanwhile, the annual milk production hovers around five billion litres with 81.2pc coming from dairy cattle, 15.8pc from goats and 4.8pc from camels.

"The vast discrepancy between the output and potential is the primary motivation behind the new guideline," he told Fortune.

The number of skilled professionals in artificial insemination techniques currently stands at 94 nationwide. Considering the Oromia Regional State as a hotspot for dairy production, the Ministry has launched an education campaign in six zones and 12 weredas to address the gap.

Lema revealed plans to expand the campaign during the year in the Southern and Amhara regional states, stressing the importance of incorporating the practice in smallholder farms.

Ethiopian dairy production averages 1.7ltr per cow over an average lactation period of 180 days. The rural mixed crop-livestock dairy system produces the largest share of milk, contributing 72pc of the total milk supply.

The standard availed by experts is expected to serve as a benchmark for a 10-year nationwide dairy development strategy. Alongside this, a bill to reform the supply chain through the introduction of licenses, quality standard approvals and formal contracts is prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture.

While the bill awaits approval from Parliamentarians, producers and processors have been hit with the sweeping wrath of inflation.

Hibret Dairy Producers Cooperative is found in the capital with up to 5,000ltrs daily production.

The Manager Wondimeneh Ashebir said the diminishing supply of imported products such as medicine has prevented them from producing at full capacity.

"We are using a quarter of our capabilities," he said.

He indicated that both the price of feed and dairy cattle has significantly increased over the past year, with forage rising to 1,800 Br for a kilogram from 1,200 Br and soya bean cakes vanishing from the market amidst surging exports.