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A new project “Forest Conservation through Traceable Supply Chain Development for Wild Coffee and Forest Honey” launched today in South West Ethiopia peoples Regional State.
Officials and government representatives from regional bureaus, zonal, district and community level administrations attended the launching accompanied by the staffs and leaders of Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) and Bee for Development.
In his opening speech EWNRA’s Executive Director Afework Hailu has mentioned what EWNRA has been contributing in South West Ethiopia through multiple projects since its establishment. He added recently EWNRA jointly with Huddersfield University have secured a fund for this project from Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) which will be implemented in two districts of the region namely in Shecko and Andracha districts. The main objective of the project is to conserve the nature, trace the potentials of wild coffee in Sheko woreda and forest honey in Andracha woreda and create market access for the community, he said.
Chief administrator of the Benchi-Sheko Zone, Ato Kebele Mengesha in his welcoming remarks has also mentioned the significance of the project for the livelihood support in the community. He asked all stake holders to play their role so the project can achieve its target.
Ato Yohanes Melaku, Vice Head of South West Ethiopia Peoples Region and Head for bureau of Agriculture also appreciated the project and call up to execute the project plan according to the schedules for best outcomes.
Project overview presentations were briefed for the participants from Bee for Development which is another implementing partner and EWNRA.
Panel discussions led by higher government representatives followed in which detail issues regarding the project implementation process were raised by participants and briefed from the project coordinators.
Finally the launching workshop concluded with a consensus to work together and contribute as stakeholders.
The project is financed by Jersey Overseas Aid – JoA (https://joa.je/) and to be managed by Huddersfield University. Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) under a partnership with Bee for Development (BfD) will implement the project jointly.