Assessing the Impact of Data Use on Decision-Making in the Ministry of Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of Ethiopia has invested in digital systems to generate real-time data and promote data-driven decision-making, while improving livestock sector data management, reporting, and overall decision-making. These platforms support key functions including livestock registration and movement tracking, disease surveillance, genetic improvement, and market information systems.

The aLIVE project has provided structured data use training and subsequent hands-on technical support to the system owners and experts across the livestock sector. The objective was to promote a data use culture within the sector by strengthening technical capacity in data management, analysis, visualization, and reporting, while encouraging the practical use of data for planning, monitoring, and decision-making.

This assessment primarily captures the perspectives of mid- and senior-level leadership on the sector-level impact of the training and hands-on support. It reviews perceived improvements in data quality, timeliness, analytical reporting, visualization practices, and the use of data in routine management and strategic processes. It also highlights the critical role of senior leadership by clarifying what higher officials need to do to strengthen accountability, create demand for evidence-based reporting, and build a stronger data use culture across the Ministry. In addition, it identifies the remaining barriers and strategic priorities required to fully institutionalize evidence-based decision making within the Ministry.