News in Brief:
– USAID is investing $86.5 million in two new projects to improve food security and nutrition in Ethiopia.
– The projects will focus on improving access to quality seeds and processing technologies for staple crops, benefiting millions of Ethiopians
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced two new projects totaling $86.5 million to improve food security and nutrition in Ethiopia.
These projects, launched recently in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, aim to increase incomes and reduce malnutrition, particularly among women and children.
Feed the Future Ethiopia: transforming agriculture and seed systems
One of the projects is a five-year initiative, worth $77 million, that is expected to support stakeholders across the country’s agriculture and food system to improve the diets of 7 million people.
It will target 132 woredas (administrative districts of Ethiopia, managed by local governments) and includes an initiative to scale up production of Enset processing machines, a traditional Ethiopian food source.
There is another five-year project, backed by a $9.5 million financing, that will focus on increasing the availability of high-quality seeds in local markets. Targeting 20 woredas across eight regions, it will empower smallholder farmers to access improved seeds for their preferred crops.
Ultimately, both projects will enjoy collaboration with agribusinesses, universities, and other partners to create a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural system in Ethiopia.
Overall, Ethiopia is working to improve its agricultural sector and food security, but significant challenges remain, despite being heavily reliant on agriculture (employing 75% of the workforce). It struggles with low productivity due to factors like limited irrigation, minimal use of modern practices, and environmental degradation.
However, there have been strides in recent years with increased investment in infrastructure, technology access, and crop yields.
