Enhancing Livestock Traceability in Ethiopia with Mobile Tech

Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa, with over 70 million cattle, 95 million sheep and goats, and 8 million camels as of 2024, according to The World Bank. To support the effective management of this vast sector, Development Gateway (DG), through the aLIVE program, is working to enhance key livestock information systems for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). 

One significant improvement has been the development of a companion mobile app for Ethiopia Livestock Identification and Traceability System ( ET-LITS) over the past year. Unlike the original ET-LITS web application, which was not designed for mobile devices or offline use, this mobile app enables animal registration and tracking directly from the field—even in remote areas with limited connectivity, such as feedlots, abattoirs, and farms.

Previously, animal registration in these areas was done using paper forms, which were then manually entered into ET-LITS at offices with internet access. This process was prone to errors, difficult to scale, and did not provide real-time data. The new mobile app addresses these issues, allowing the MoA to expand animal identification, registration, and event recording (such as health events) across the country.

Data collected in the field through the app will also be integrated into the Livestock Information System (LIS), currently under development as part of the aLIVE program. LIS will enhance the MoA’s capacity to analyze and utilize livestock data in decision-making.

Mobile App Features

The ET-LITS mobile app offers the following key features:

• Animal Registration: Used for registering and tagging animals.
• Animal Movement Request: Records animal movements between establishments.
• Health Events: Allows recording of health-related events such as vaccinations, treatments, and sampling.

To facilitate offline data collection, the app downloads reference data (e.g., establishments, locations, animal breeds) while online and stores it on the device. Users can then work in the field in offline mode. Once back online, they can synchronize the collected data with the backend.

During synchronization, the data collected on the mobile app is submitted to the same workflow processes used by the ET-LITS web application, ensuring that both platforms follow the same business rules.

Technology and Architecture

The ET-LITS mobile app is developed in Java using the Android SDK. We chose the Android SDK because Android is the most widely used smartphone operating system in Ethiopia. Additionally, this approach enables installation on over 30,000 tablets available to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The app uses a well-organized layered architecture to improve functionality and create a smooth experience for users. At the foundation, an SQLite database is managed with the Room library, which allows fast and efficient access to stored data, ensuring quick responses within the app. The architecture is made up of several components, each with a specific role:

• Entity Classes define the data structure, shaping how information like animal records or health events is stored and organized.
• Data Access Classes manage the communication with the database, ensuring reliable data retrieval and updates.
• Repositories act as a bridge between the app’s data sources (like databases or network sources) and the app itself, providing a consistent way to access and update data.

Additionally, ViewModels are used to manage data for the user interface in a way that’s aware of the app’s lifecycle, which helps maintain data stability and prevents unnecessary loading. For the end user, this structured approach means a faster, more responsive app that can reliably handle complex tasks, even as the app evolves or scales with new features.

Agile Development Process

When we faced the challenge of managing multiple deliverables simultaneously, we understood that the Scrum methodology within our well-known DG Agile Framework was the way to go to maintain efficiency and focus. The team had 8 team members assigned to work on 4 deliverables simultaneously, covering the different roles (ET-LITS Mobile Application, ET-LITS Web application, LIS 

Architecture, and LIS Dashboard). The key to success in this multi-deliverable environment was to ensure that each had its own set of tasks prioritized (project backlog). However, instead of splitting the team across different products, we adopted a flexible sprint planning process that allowed the team to shift their focus based on the priority and complexity of tasks. 

In this setup, a single Scrum Master, in close collaboration with the Technical manager, facilitated the daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives, ensuring that the team’s focus, priorities, and objectives were clearly defined, achieved, and reviewed. By using a shared sprint board, allowing to view all projects in one, the team was able to collaborate on overlapping tasks while keeping track of the dependencies. Each development cycle (sprint) was time-boxed to two weeks, allowing for regular reviews of progress and quick adjustments when necessary. Demos were presented regularly based on what was important to accomplish at a certain point of the development phase.  

The scrum framework flexibility enabled us to manage multiple workflows, while regular demos and retrospectives helped the team adapt and continuously improve performance.

Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment

To ensure the ET-LITS mobile app is reliable and always up-to-date, we use specific tools for building, distributing, and tracking any errors. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools help us quickly release new features, fix bugs, and maintain app stability. Here are the tools we use:

• Firebase App Distribution: This tool allows us to easily share new versions of the app with testers. By getting feedback early, we can make sure the app works well before it’s available to everyone.
• Firebase Crashlytics: Crashlytics helps us catch and fix errors by providing real-time crash reports. It pinpoints issues in the app, so we can quickly improve it and ensure users have a smooth experience.

Jenkins: Jenkins automates the process of building and testing new versions of the app. With Jenkins, we can release updates faster and make sure each new version is stable and works as expected.

Sustainability

To ensure the sustainability and ongoing improvement of the mobile app, DG has included software developers from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in the development team. This collaboration has proven to be highly effective, with MoA developers actively contributing to enhancements and the integration of new features. This involvement not only fosters a sense of ownership among the MoA team but also ensures that the app continues to evolve in alignment with the specific needs and conditions of the local environment, securing its long-term relevance and utility.

Recognizing the complexity of the data pipeline, aLIVE is also equipping other professionals within the MoA such as epidemiologists, data analysts, animal welfare experts, and other data users with essential skills in data handling, processing, analysis, and visualization. The training program is designed to empower them with modern tools and techniques to enhance their decision-making. By strengthening their technical capacity, aLIVE ensures that data is not only collected but effectively transformed into actionable insights that improve outcomes across the sector.

Next Steps

We are currently working on updates to align both the ET-LITS backend system and the mobile app with the new Livestock Data Standard developed through the ALIVE program. As part of our efforts to ensure a smooth transition, we are engaged in various knowledge transfer activities, such as training MoA developers on technologies and processes, and involving them in the development of additional features. At the same time, we continue to support the LIT Directorate as it conducts user testing in the field at locations such as abattoirs, feedlots, and quarantine centers. This testing is a crucial step in preparing for a full-scale production rollout in the coming months.