Hawassa University hosts the 30^th ESAP Annual Conference.

Hawassa University, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), hosts the 30^th annual conference of ESAP with a theme "Contribution of Livestock to the Food Systems Transformation in Ethiopia" held from September 15-17/2022.

Dr. Ayano Berasso, Hawassa University's president, said in his welcoming speech that it is a remarkable opportunity for Hawassa University to host the 30^th annual conference of ESAP with a very timely theme "Contribution of Livestock to the Food Systems Transformation in Ethiopia". He underscored that the theme of this conference is one of the federal government's priority areas as Ethiopia is striving and aspiring to achieve sustainable food systems. He added that such conferences link academicians, researchers, practitioners, donors and policy makers, so they are very critical. “Hence”, Dr. Ayano declared, “this conference will contribute towards a deeper understanding of the contribution of livestock to the Ethiopian food system and the complex challenges the sector is currently facing thereby creating a very important linkage amongst all stakeholders in this sector”. With this experience, he added, HU is also going to benefit a lot from this platform on how to bring different actors on such issues as agriculture is one of our priority areas and exchange resources to bring about real change.

Prof. Daniel Temesgen, president of Ethiopian Society of Animal Production, on his part reiterated that ESAP believes the theme of this conference is relevant and timely. He pointed out that livestock production and animal-source food consumption are key components in achieving sustainable, agriculture-led economic growth, strengthening resilience among people and systems, and creating a well-nourished population. Livestock are a critically important component of food system; however, the sector needs a profound transformation to ensure that it contributes to a rapid transformation towards sustainable food systems, he concluded.

This three-day long conference was launched at African Union  Hall of the main campus of HU which included plenary panel discussions, cultural events, and it continued with the presentation of 70 research papers and livestock exhibitions at College of Agriculture campus, field visits and more. Different organizations, research institutes, universities and federal as well as regional government offices were represented at the conference, and the host of next year's event was identified to be Jigjiga University receiving the ESAP logo from Hawassa University.