1.2 million people to benefit from major new development programmes |
Ambitious new development programmes that will seek to improve food security and the livelihoods of more than 1.2 million people are being started in Zambia and Ethiopia.
Close to €2.5 million has been secured from the European Commission for the projects, both of which will take place over a two-years period (2010-2011).
The Seed Entrepreneurship for Economic Development and Food Security (SEEDFS) project in Zambia will aim to increase food security and incomes of farming community by increasing access and timely supply of good quality seed, while in Ethiopia new EC backing has been received to expand Self Help Africa’s existing Agricultural Co-Operative Development Programme in Oromia and Southern Nations and Nationalties (SNRPP) provinces.
€1.2 million of European Union support has been received for the Zambian SEEDFS project, which is designed to improve access and supply of quality seeds and agricultural inputs for 100,000 poor farmers.
The project will increase the production of diverse seed stock in ten districts, increase availability of locally bred foundation seed, support the production, distribution and marketing of seed and other agricultural inputs, and increase agricultural productivity.
1,000 seed growers and 100,000 small-holder farmers will benefit from the project in ten districts across six of the country’s provinces.
The work, which will indirectly benefit an estimated 600,000 people, has received funding of €1.085 million from the European Commission, and will be implemented through local Zambian partners. Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture Project (MK-SAP), Eastern Province Farmers Cooperative (EPFC), the Organization for Promotion of Meaningful Development through Active Participation (OPAD), and NIRAS Zambia.
€1.317 million has been received from the European Commission Food Facility for the further development of Self Help Africa’s Agriculture Cooperative Development Programme in Oromia and SNNRP provinces in Ethiopia.
The project objective is to improve food security and access to agricultural inputs for 17,500 farm households in eleven targeted districts, with upwards of 85,000 household (500,000 people) indirectly benefiting.
The project expands the work of the existing Agricultural Co-Operative Development Programme, and will be implemented in Sinana, Agarfa, Dodota, Ziway, Dugda Bora, Mareko, Sodo, Silti and Lenfuro regions of Oromia and SNNRP.
The work will be undertaken in collaboration with local implementing partners including the Meki Batu Vegetable and Fruit Growers Co-Op Union, Walta Co-Op Union, Melik Co-Op Union, Siko Mendo Co-Op Union, and the Southern Regional Bureau of Rural Development and Agriculture and Oromia Bureau of Rural Development and Agriculture.
|
