News and Events

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FAO Trains 15 in DB Management and GIS

May 7 -22 2006, Addis Ababa -- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) trained 15 people from pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of Afar, Oromiya, and Somali Regional States in Ethiopia. According to Dr. Muktar Reshid, the coordinator of the training, these 15 people are trained in customized Data Base (DB) management and Geo Information System (GIS) for proper coordination of agricultural emergency intervention in their respective regions. In the 15 days long training that brought together agricultural extension workers from the aforementioned regions agricultural bureaus such courses as Advanced Excel, Access, Arc View and GIS, as well as Emergency Livestock needs Assessment Methodology, Contingency Planning, livestock disease, and Epidemiological Surveillance were given.

“When they go back to their regions, the participants are expected to back-up the Agricultural Task Force at the regional level,” Dr. Muktar noted. “After these user-tailored highly professional courses, the trainees will be able to proactively assist in their respective regions’ agricultural activities,” he added.

During the certification ceremony, Ato Alemseged Woldeyohannes, the Director of the Training Institute, pointed out that the training was highly advanced in its nature and was highly customized to meet the needs of the trainees.

On the occasion, the Guest of Honour, Mr.Christian Grassini, Emergency and Rehabilitation Program Manager at FAO, said “FAO believes that one of its main tasks is to technically support the agricultural and livestock sector in the country. To this extent, FAO gives great attention to capacity building actions.”

Finally Mr. Christian called on the trainees to share the new techniques they acquired during the training to their colleagues and involve them in field application back at home.

On the occasion, representatives from FAO as well as MoARD were present. The trainees, on their part, expressed their gratitude for the FAO and the instructors for their unreserved assistance. They further appealed to FAO to find ways of getting them an instrument namely GPS so that they could professionally discharge their respective jobs on the ground.

Journalists Vow to Fight Avian, Human Influenza by isseminating Truthful Information to General Public

12 May 2006 -- The first round of Avian Human Influenza (AHI) training for media professionals that was held on 12 May 2006 was attended by about 42 journalists and public relations experts. The participants were drawn from the different broadcast and print media in Addis Ababa . The presenters – Dr. Laikemariam Yigezu from FAO/MoARD, Dr. Admas Tefera from WHO/MoH, Ato Kifle Sede from Health Extension and Education Center gave elaborate facts on AI animal side, AI human side and outbreak (risk) communication respectively. Hot discussions on these presentations ensued that shed good light on the understanding regarding AI and how to disseminate information to public.

The participants vowed to fight Avian, Human Influenza by disseminating correct and trustworthy information to the general public in a sustainable manner. To achieve this end, they came up with practical recommendations like engaging in consistent messaging in different local languages targeting different audience, using animal and human health experts as correct sources of information, using religious and clan leaders to influence opinion, managing information (not giving all available information but careful scrutiny of sensitive material and provide that which is essential and not confusing), sharing workshop information with colleagues, etc.

The participants assessed the information that has so far been disseminated as unclear, sometimes not evidence-based, terminology used were not intelligible to the ordinary public, message not accessible to all sections of society and was not sustainable and the corrective measures taken after the confusion were not satisfactory. The media professionals regarded the potential threat of the virus on human and animal health, the fact that the virus is new and tricky, and the huge task awaiting communication people to dispel the confusion created among the public as challenges in AHI communication. However, the participants saw as opportunities the fact that people have been alerted about the problem (although over-alerted), the partnership established among different stakeholders, the committee structures established down to the kebele level to fight AHI. So they took it upon themselves to seize the opportunity and work very closely with all concerned. They also called for the continuation of such a training to their colleagues who did not benefit from this one, to organize similar training to media heads and editors. They also called for the establishment of AHI resource centers, standardization of terminologies through health and linguistics professionals.

The training was organized by the Avian, Human Influenza Advocacy and Communication Sub-committee, which is one component of the AHI National Technical Committee. A second round of training for regional media representatives and the private media will be conducted on 19 May 2006 .

20,528 Households Benefited From Improved Seed Distribution

April - May, Ethiopia -- The Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nation in Ethiopia (UNFAO) distributed 2,566 quintal of Khatumani Improved Seed to 20,528 agro-pastoral households in the lowland area of the Oromia and the Somali Regional States in a fund that is obtained from the Norway government. Of the total distributed seed 1,836 quintal was delivered to the agro-pastorals in Oromia, and the rest to the Somali. The type of seed the beneficiaries got is believed to cover area of 10, 264 hectare. This intervention will enable the vulnerable agro-pastorals to resume their agricultural activities. The program is sponsored by the Norwegian government under the title OSRO/ ETH /603/ NOR , and is being implemented by UNFAO-Ethiopia. In a related development, it is noted that some of the beneficiaries who have already utilized the seed they got have shown interest to get more.

The 20th Annual Conference of Ethiopian Veterinary Association:

April 13 -14 2006, Addis Ababa -- The 20th Annual Conference of Ethiopian Veterinary Association (EVA), was held from 13th -14th April 2006 with the theme: “The threat of Avian Influenza/Bird Flue to Ethiopia: Implications on Health, Policy and National Economy”

EVA, being the most central professional association, seized its 20th annual conference as an opportunity to create a platform and serve pivotal role in addressing national/international AI concerns under the above-indicated theme by bringing together all concerned including member professionals, relevant international/regional stakeholders, business partners, interested groups and the public at large, and play its due share to raise awareness on the magnitude of the effects and promote action-oriented measures to prevent and/or contain the problem due to this emerging disease.

More than 400, full members of the association from all over the country, associate members, prominent individuals and relevant Ministries participated the event. The two days conference was fully sponcered by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

The Role of NGOs in Dissemination of Informaiton Regarding Avian Influenza

April 11 2006 -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) incollaboraiton with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a one-day consultative workshop for non-governmental organizations on 11th April 2006 in Addis Ababa.

More than 50 NGOs working with rural communities in different parts of the country participated in the workshop held at the Christian Relief Development Association (CRDA) training facility under the theme “the role of non-governmental organizations in disseminating Avian Influenza information to the public”.

Dr. Sileshi Zewdie, Chairman of the National Technical Committee for the Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza officially opened the workshop and gave highlights of the Government response to the Avian Influenza threat.

The Christian Relief Development Association (CRDA), which is an umbrella organization for more than 250 NGOs, played an important role in facilitating the workshop.

Presentations were made on the animal and human aspects and prevention methods of Avian Influenza by FAO and WHO experts. The small group discussions that followed came up with important recommendations on the theme of the workshop.

World Food Day Celebration in Ethiopia.

October 15 2005, Awassa -- The 60 th Anniversary of FAO and the 25 th Celebration of World Food Day Programme was held on Saturday 15 October 2005 for the fifth time in Ethiopia outside Addis Ababa with the theme “Agriculture and Intercultural Dialogue”. This year it was held at Green Wood Park , Awassa, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) some 275Kms away from Addis Ababa with the owner of Awassa Green Wood Park and Farm, Ato Tadesse Belay and the surrounding farmers in attendance.

The farm where World Food Day event celebrated is owned by Ato TAdesse Belay who become a model farmer for the region of his Green Wood Park as well farm.

FAO Representative to AU and ECA, Ms Victoria Sekitoleko, the State President of SNNPR, H.E. Ato Hailmariam Desalegne, government officials from Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MoARD), UNFAO Staff, Official guests, Ambassadors, members from different UN agencies, NGOs, locals and farmers which count around 600 paid a visit to the farm. Most of them were farmers from the region.

The display was ready for the guests when arrive the field right after their visit of the farm. On the display, different UN agencies, NGOs and government offices participated. Different publications, brochures and products were displayed on the show. Especially the different products of Sweet potato like: chips, bread, porage, injera, salad among others may divert the habit of the peoples depending on the customary kind of food item only.

Ms. Victoria Sekitoleko, FAOR in Ethiopia to AU and ECA, forwarded the message on behalf of the FAO Director-General for World Food Day/TeleFood indicating the theme “Agriculture and intercultural dialogue”.

The message included that “many international initiatives and civil society networks, such as the International Alliance Against Hunger, are promoting intercultural dialogue to help achieve these goals. World Food Day provides an opportunity at eh local, national and international levels to further dialogue and enhances solidarity.”

In her speech, she explained that human and cultural ingenuity, the right vision, partnership and support – including that of FAO and the international community can surely lead to progress in achieving food security for all.

On the other hand, farmers made a remark that they want to be supported like Ato Tadesse by the government as well non-governmental bodies. They expressed their happiness for the success of Ato Tadesse and what they need is sustain to work like him. The farmers also implied that they have learned lots from his farm and with a little support they determined to establish theirs.

FAOResponse to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

September 2005, Addis Ababa -- FAO was the first UN Agency to initiate detailed sectoral analysis of the Socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on rural economies perceiving HIV/AIDS as a developmental and not only health problem. Since 1988, it has undertaken three country case-studies in East Africa and had initiated the Agricultural Extension and Education Service (SDRE) under FAO`s Technical Cooperation Program (Strengthening Programs for rural Youth in Uganda 1993-1995).

Under the Technical Support Service (TSS-I) arrangement with UNDP, had carried out a comprehensive study on “the FAO was the first UN Agency to initiate detailed sectoral analysis of the Socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on rural economies perceiving HIV/AIDS as a developmental and not only health problem. Since 1988, it has undertaken three country case-studies in East Africa and had initiated the Agricultural Extension and Education Service (SDRE) under FAO`s Technical Cooperation Program (Strengthening Programs for rural Youth in Uganda 1993-1995).

Under the Technical Support Service (TSS-I) arrangement with UNDP, had carried out a comprehensive study on “the transfer of technology etc.

It had also provided a basis for harmonizing the work of UN Agencies on nutrition and HIV/AIDS by focusing on the nexus of HHFS, Health and Family Care and feeding practices.

FAO Jointly with WHO published the manual on nutrition for PLWHA “Living Well with HIV/AIDS” and developed guidelines for the integration of HIV/AIDS considerations into a) food security and livelihood programs, b) the design and implementation of FAO`s emergency programs.

FAO together with WFP and other UN agencies is actively involved in inter-agency task force for developing common guideline for addressing HIV/AIDS in emergency setting and prepared a document on measuring the impact of HIV/AIDS on food security and rural livelihood.

Apart from these, FAO carried out TV programs (Southern Africa), launched the Southern Africa Food Crisis support (250,000 families supported) and implemented the pilot project in Bondo district of Kenya (The Horn of Africa Task Force on Long Term food Security and HIV/AIDS).

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FAO/BSF Towards Improving Nutrition and Household Food Security

August 2005, Addis Ababa--Food insecurity is one of the major problems that the rural population of Ethiopia is facing. Recurrent drought, natural resource degradation and population pressure are among the major causes of poor agricultural production, food insecurity and malnutrition. This situation is getting worse by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Efforts are being made to address these problem and to bring positive change in the living condition of the rural population. To support these efforts, the government of Ethiopia with the joint assistance of FAO and Belgium Survival Fund launched a project ’Improving Nutrition and Household Food Security’ in four food insecure woredas of Amhara and Tigrai Regions. The main objectives of the project are to attain food security and improve nutrition and health status at household level by:

• Ensuring community participation and assuring institutional integration
• Encouraging natural resource base-management, and improving agricultural productivity
• Improving nutrition/health status
• Enhancing sanitation conditions and access to safe water
• Enabling to improve income generation through skilled labour training

The selected project target areas were the vulnerable food insecure woredas of Gerakeya and Lallomma in Nothern Shoa; Enderta and Hintalo Wajirat of southern Tigrai with a total population estimated at 270,000 and 280,000 respectively.The project has the mandate of boosting the nutritional status and socio-economic welfare of about 80,000 people in 40 communities (gots/Kushets) in the target woredas towards which it has made a substantial progress. The base line data was systematically collected during the planning phase. Community Action Planning (CAP) is now firmly established and applied. Thus far more than 100 micro projects have been supported serving more than 3600 households (AN ESTIMATED 21000 BENEFICIARIES). A further 1173 micro projects are already funded for 2004. During the past two years of operation around 40% of the households in the project communities are provided with services. The service packages/ technologies include training, equipment, livestock, horticulture, and basic health and micronutrient servieces water conservation/ spring protection cistern construction, fuel saving stoves pit latrine and slab construction.

The first phase of the project is accomplished and based on the recommendation of external evaluators the preparation for the second phase is currently underway. The major trust of the 2nd phase project will be on scaling up, consolidation and exist strategy.

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Food Security on HIV/AIDS

July 2005, Addis Ababa -- The linkages between HIV/AIDS and food security are bi-directional. HIV/AIDS is a determining factor of food insecurity as well as a consequence of food and nutrition insecurity. Food insecurity and poverty fuel the HIV epidemic; people are forced to adopt risky coping strategies (sex for money), labor migration and break-up of household, increased vulnerability (mainly of women and children). Malnutrition reduces resistance to OIs and leads to an earlier onset of AIDS.

- HIV Impact on Food Security;
- Loss of labor in agriculture and other livelihood activities;
- Reduced labor productivity and agricultural produce / Lose of working time;
- Diminished capacity to care for children and other vulnerable individuals;
- Erosion of the asset base;
- Adversely affects the household demography (widow/orphan);
- Forces children to withdraw from school earlier (mainly girls);
- Lose of income, increased expenses and reduced labor productivity;
- Increased cost of health care and funerals
Affects tenure right and intensify existing gender inequalities,
- Affects the macro-economy.

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Multiplication of Roots and Tubers in SNNPR

July 2005, SNNPR - The FAO assistance for Enset and Root Crops has targeted the SNNPR where project sites and resettlements sites have been established in the following Woredas: Boricha, Damot Weyde, Humbo, Alaba, Omo Sheleko, Selti and Humbo.

The project for the multiplication of Enset, sweet potatoes and cassava initiated at the onset of rains, in March 2005. The activities have been successfully implemented in seven most drought prone woredas. The enset multiplication plots cover a total of 12 ha (2ha/woreda), the seedlings will be ready for the distribution to vulnerable farmers in March 2006.

Bureau of Agriculture (BoA) will be responsible to undertake such distribution next March as stated in the Letter of Agreement signed between the two parties.

Sweet potatoes and cassava multiplication sites cover a total of 9 ha respectively. The vines and cuttings have been sourced by the research Institute in Awasa and by a private company (Greenwood Ltd.), and planted between the middle of May 2005 and will be ready for the distribution to the farmers by BoA in October 2005 and June 2006 respectively.

The project has achieved more than 80% of the targeted outputs for Enset and it has raised a lot of expectation from the beneficiaries. The multiplication plots established by the project would be managed in the future by BoA as permanent propagation nurseries.

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Afar Pastoral Groups Benefit from Livestock Recovery Project

June 2005, Afar -- Pastoral groups in the Afar Region of Ethiopia have benefited from a livestock recovery project to improve their livelihood.

The project, which runs from November 2004 to June 2005, is sponsored by the Norwegian Government and implemented in Six Woredas in Zone Three by FAO Ethiopia.

According to FAO Ethiopia, the project has become necessary to alleviate some of the challenges facing the pastoral community in the region, including reversing the impact of the 2002 drought on water and food availability, as well as the outbreak of livestock diseases in Zone three.

The project focuses among others on providing support for women food security initiatives, improving animal health services, improving disease surveillance and control capacity, as well as enhancing sustainability of livestock production through support for crops and irrigation development.

As at the end of April 2005, the project has clinched some successes, including: building, furnishing and equipping two new veterinary clinics; rehabilitation of an existing veterinary clinic at Awash Fentale; provision of vaccine for disease prevention; organizing training for pastoral groups in the Woredas and donation of motor cycles to veterinary health workers.

Other accomplishments of the project include; development of four irrigation sites, which has benefited households, provision of Agricultural hand-tools for 250 pastoral groups, establishment of two seed multiplication and demonstration sites and distribution of pesticides.

More than 1600 Goats have been distributed to women; three women credit and savings groups have been set up; as well as business management and book keeping training for twenty women pastoral groups.

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