COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF A MILK PROCESSING PLANT FOR THE BENEFITS OF PASTORALISTS, SOMALI REGION, ETHIOPIA

Milk is one of the main sources for the livelihood of pastoralists around the world. Somali Region in Ethiopia is famous for the high density of livestock, implying significant potential for milk production. The perishable nature of the milk and the absence of the milk processing facilities do not allow this sector to fully utilize this potential, imposing significant economic losses on the community. This study assesses the economic feasibility of the milk processing plant in Jijiga city. The study analyses both moderate and aggressive enhancement options of the plant. The rigorous distributive analysis is used to estimate the allocation of the benefits arising to the government of Ethiopia, the pastoralists and the traders supplying milk to the plant, the labor involved employed by the facility, the Jijiga city community and the private entrepreneur. The sensitivity analysis is used to assess potential risk factors facing the facility.