Scaling success: the BRIDGE storybook (2018–2023)

The transition of the Ethiopian dairy sector from subsistence farming to a professionalized market system is a journey of resilience and innovation. The BRIDGE storybook provides a comprehensive look at the first phase of the Building Rural Income through Inclusive Dairy Business Growth in Ethiopia (BRIDGE) programme. As we move into the national scaling phase with BRIDGE+, this document serves as the essential blueprint and record of impact for the project's foundational years.

This 60-page collection moves beyond traditional reporting to offer a deep dive into the lives of the people who shaped the sector. Between 2018 and 2023, the original BRIDGE project successfully reached over 82,000 dairy-farming households, with more than 70,000 farmers reporting measurable income increases. Through a strategic "milkshed" approach, the programme professionalized dairy cooperatives, improved access to high-quality feed, and established rigorous food safety standards that are now becoming the national benchmark.

Whether you are a policy-maker, an agricultural researcher, or a private sector investor, the BRIDGE storybook offers valuable insights into driving inclusive growth in emerging dairy markets.

Field-level impact: Detailed evidence of how improved extension services and input markets boosted milk productivity across Ethiopia.

Human stories: Personal testimonies from smallholders, processors, and cooperatives who transitioned into formal business models.

Nutrition and health: An overview of the school milk programme (SMP) that reached over 55,000 children, showcasing the social value of a strengthened dairy chain.

Strategic insights: Lessons learned on public-private partnerships and market-driven solutions that now inform the objectives of BRIDGE+.

For more information, visit the original BRIDGE Phase 1 (2018–2023) project page for a detailed overview of the program's initial goals, implementation strategies, and comprehensive impact data. You can also learn about the current national scaling phase and our ongoing efforts in dairy transformation on the BRIDGE+ (2024–2028) project page.