Ethiopia builds resilience: the smart way
Extreme weather, such as droughts and floods, can be catastrophic for smallholder farmers. Whole harvests can be wiped out, leaving families with little or nothing to feed their children. And with no other way to earn an income their situations can become truly desperate. That’s why Farm Africa has been working with farmers in the drought-prone SNNP region of Ethiopia, helping them to find ways to make their farms, and incomes, more resilient to the shocks that extreme weather can bring.
Aisha is one such farmer. Living in Halaba with her husband and children, she is no stranger to extreme weather. In recent years, this area has suffered drought after drought, and many farmers have found it virtually impossible to make a decent living from their land.
Like most farmers in Halaba, Aisha used to grow cash crops such as teff, wheat and maize. She relied on the money she earned from selling her crops to buy vegetables for her family to eat – so a poor harvest meant a poor diet for her children.
But since joining Farm Africa’s Climate-Smart Agriculture project, Aisha has been learning ways to provide for her family, even when the rains don’t come. We have helped her diversify her farming and grow a variety of vegetables. We have given her access to high-quality seeds that have a good chance of surviving in dry conditions and helped her to find ways to reduce the amount of water and fuel she uses on her farm.
Growing vegetables was not customary in our village, but the project staff told us to try. My family had enough to eat during that drought season and the yield I got was enough to share with my neighbours. Now I don’t go to the market to buy veggies. Rather I grow them in my yard. I feed my family and sell some for profit.
Aisha’s story doesn’t end there. Farm Africa also encouraged her to join the village savings and loans association. She is now saving to start her own business, making and selling preserved vegetables. With this additional source of income, Aisha’s family will be less vulnerable to the problems caused by unpredictable weather, and her neighbours will have a source of nutritious vegetables all year round. A smart solution for everyone!
Help farmers achieve the success they deserve
Your support helps farmers in eastern Africa to grow more prosperous futures for their families.
There was a drought in our village last year but me and my family were able to survive it with the support of Farm Africa. With their support, I was able to tolerate the effects of the drought.
Read more highlights from our work to find out how with your support, we are giving farmers in eastern Africa the chance to take control of their own futures.