ENHANCING PARASITIC MANAGEMENT: SMALL RUMINANT EXTERNAL PARASITE SPECIES IN TANQUA ABERGELLE AND KOLA TEMBIEN DISTRICTS OF TIGRAY, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia boasts the largest livestock population in Africa, with approximately 30.7 million sheep and 30.2 million goats, predominantly comprising local breeds. The livestock subsector plays a significant role in the country's economy, contributing approximately 16.5% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 35.6% to the agricultural GDP. This paper provides insights into the magnitude of Ethiopia's livestock sector, drawing upon data from Solomon et al. (2003), Tilahun and Schmidt (2012), UNDP (2010), and CSA (2018). By elucidating the substantial presence of sheep and goats in the country and highlighting their predominance as local breeds, this study underscores the importance of livestock in Ethiopia's agricultural landscape and economic development. Through a comprehensive analysis, this research aims to deepen our understanding of the contributions of the livestock subsector to the national economy and agricultural productivity.