The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Record of Discussions (R/D) with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on March 28 in Addis Ababa for the technical cooperation project “Market-Oriented Small-Scale Horticulture Promotion Project Phase 2.
About 80% of Ethiopia’s population lives in rural areas, and agriculture accounts for about 70% of employment. Agriculture is the most important sector driving Ethiopia’s economy, growing at a steady rate of just under 7% annually. The Ethiopian government has identified the promotion of horticultural crops (vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers) as one of the priority areas for long-term economic development, and is working to strengthen agricultural competitiveness and improve farmers’ livelihoods through the promotion of horticultural crops. However, the government has not yet established methods for promoting horticultural crops, and the lack of technical skills and understanding of market-oriented agriculture among government officials who provide guidance to farmers has prevented them from providing cultivation and farm management guidance that accurately reflects market needs, leading to improved livelihoods for farmers.
In response to this situation, JICA implemented the technical cooperation project “Project for Promotion of Market-Oriented Small-Scale Horticultural Farming” (2017-2023) (“Phase 1”) in the two provinces of Amhara and Oromia. By strengthening small-scale horticultural farmers’ cultivation techniques, marketing and management skills with an awareness of market needs, such as crops in demand and timing of shipments, the project has resulted in an average increase of more than two times in sales revenue of horticultural crops for the target farmers. In this project, Sidama and the Southern Provinces will be added to the Amhara and Oromia Provinces, which were the target areas of Phase 1, to improve sustainable extension methods for horticultural agriculture in a wider area.
This project will contribute to improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Ethiopia through the promotion of market-oriented horticultural agriculture, and will contribute to Goal 1 (End Poverty) and Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
The details of the project are as follows
© Source JICA