Emergency Assistance for Smallholders Affected by El Niño-induced Drought in Ethiopia
Despite government efforts to reduce poverty and food insecurity, Ethiopia remains one of the world’s poorest countries, with around 25 million people living in extreme poverty. The country is exposed to a wide range of natural hazards, especially recurrent drought, such as that induced by El Niño in Amhara and Tigray Regions in 2014/15. The aim of the project was to provide emergency assistance in these regions for vulnerable smallholder households affected by the 2014/15 drought, many of whom had consumed their seed reserves. It would do this by distributing cereal, potato and vegetable seed, and hand tools to assist with the preparation, tending and harvesting of the potato and vegetable crops produced with the distributed seed, and through the provision of training.
What did the project do
The project provided emergency assistance for a total of 15 641 vulnerable smallholder households affected by El Niño-induced drought in Amhara and Tigray Regions. Cereal, potato and vegetable seed was provided in 14 woredas in the affected regions, producing a planted area of 4 886 ha. Some 1 500 beneficiaries received a total of 3 000 hand tools to assist with the preparation, tending and harvesting of their potato and vegetable crops. In addition, training was provided for agronomy and extension staff, and for farmers in improved agricultural practices.Impact
The project assisted a larger number of households than envisaged, with priority being given to female-headed households. Many women reported enhanced confidence as a result of the project and were able to send their children back to school, rather than to work, because of increased yields. Farmers reported that, as a result of the project support, their income had increased. Mr. DemsieAbate, a farmer in Amhara Region, received potato seed and training in how to boost production. He achieved a production of 45 quintal (qt), a rate of 300 qt/ha, compared with his previous production of 140 qt/ha. This enabled him to save 5 qtof seed for the coming season, keep some for family consumption, and sell enough to cover his children’s education and purchase five sheep for rearing.Activities
- Beneficiary selection committees established and beneficiary households selected.
- Seed procured and distributed to 15 614 beneficiary households (12 879 male-headed and 2 852 female-headed).
- 2 347 qt of crop seed delivered to beneficiary woredas and households.
- 1 525 qt of potato seed and 338 kg of vegetable seed procured and distributed to beneficiary woredas and households.
- 3 000 agricultural tools procured and distributed.
- Train-the-trainer training organized for 48 agronomy and extension staff members.
- Training provided to 1 485 model farmers (1 080 male and 405 female) in application of inputs and improved agricultural
practices.