Project profile — Improving the Livelihoods of Farmers in Ethiopia - CHF 2012-2015

The project aims to increase food production and provide higher incomes by increasing agricultural productivity, income sources and increasing the capacity of local farmers to support agricultural production and income generating initiatives. It is expected to benefit 36,000 poor farmers (women and men) and small entrepreneurs and their families. Project activities include: (1) increasing food production through small scale irrigation activities, the introduction of higher value, drought resistant crops and increased small livestock productivity (2) stimulating and increasing economic growth through income-generating activities and improved access to markets; (3) improving the ability of cooperatives to serve the interests of their members (and particularly, the poorest) by increasing their capacity to develop and manage projects; and (4) fostering a more equitable participation of women in decision-making and greater access to resources and benefits for women. This project is implemented by the Canadian Hunger Foundation (CHF) in 14 kebeles of the Artuma Fursi and Dewa Chefa woredas in Ethiopia’s Eastern Amhara Region. The local partner in Ethiopia is the Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA). A kebele is a government administrative unit similar to a district with an approximate population of 30,000 people. A kebele is a sub-unit of a woreda with 15-20 kebeles in one woreda.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) improved gender equitable and sustainable agricultural production and productivity for male and female poor and vulnerable farmers and their households, in an environment prone to shocks and stressors; (2) diversified and sustained incomes for male and female poor and vulnerable farmers and their households; and (3) enhanced capacity of the local partner, the Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA), local government, and farmers' cooperatives to facilitate gender-responsive sustainable development.

Results achieved as March 2014 include: (1) the percentage of households using modern and sustainable water management practices has increased from a baseline of 13% to 79% (women 7% to 82% - men 14% to 78%), surpassing the target of 70%; (2) the number of beneficiaries applying 4 or more modern and sustainable cropping practices has increased from a baseline of 52% to 81% (women 34% to 78% - men 57% to 83%), surpassing the target of 75%; (3) an increase in livestock mortality rates from a baseline of 14% to 25% for chickens (women 18% to 41% - men 9% to 21%) and from 11% to 19% for goats (women 4% to 28% - men 10% to 19%) attributed to an extended dry season and the non-application of the recommended animal husbandry practices; and (4) a decrease in the percentage of households selling products to high-value markets from 25% to 2.6% (women 18% to 1% - men 27% to 3%) that was little or not explained. This phase of the project was closed due to the bankruptcy of the partner organization, the Canadian Hunger Foundation, it ceased its operations as of July 31, 2015.