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Farmers’ field Day on 4R- research based demonstrations

November 18, 2020By 0 comment

Sustainable development is a contemporary global request for the wellbeing of humankind. To address that EWNRA and CDF-Canada in collaboration with their key partners are implementing research based 4R- Nutrient Stewardship project in Minjar-Shenkora Woreda, Semien Shewa Zone, Amhara National Regional State to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability for smallholder farmers of the project area specifically and the country in general by demonstrating 4R- approach. 

Communicating major activities of the research activities to the smallholder’s farmers and key stakeholders from the very beginning of the research will give an opportunity to the project to create awareness about 4R- Principles to smallholder farmers and key stakeholders and ultimately gain reliable advocators with full knowledge about the importance of 4R-princples among the eyewitness.

Thus, EWNRA and CDF- Canada have organized farmers day to create awareness to smallholder farmers and stakeholders at eight kebele where, the nutrient Omission trials and Demonstration sites are established.

The project agronomists at each kebeles have elaborated to 620 (469 male and 151 Female) participants the purpose of the project, what 4R- solutions contemplate, how 4R- Solution could increases productivity & production, how the 4R-trials have been underway as well as the partnership established between EWNRA, CDF-Canada and other key partners.

During their visit detail clarification were given by the site agronomists about the experiment that has been done starting from site (farm) selection up to the current stage of the crop (maturity stage) and the farmers have observed Physical and Vegetative difference between the plots due to the fertilizer type, amount, way of applications, and time (crops stage) of application .

Following their visit, the famers have raised questions like why the control plots are poor in growth compering with the remaining plots, why some plots are yet green as far as it sown on the same date, sources of contain micronutrients and why same plots are lodging compering with the remaining plots, etc and necessary clarification were given to the attendants by the respective kebele agronomist. 

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Response to COVID-19

October 19, 2020By 0 comment

Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) and the donor Co-operative Development Foundation (CDF) of Canada have launched implementation of the project: ‘’Response to COVID-19 – Access to Inputs and Capital to Sustain Livelihoods in Time of COVID-19 Pandemic’’ on October 7/2020 in Hagare mariam Woreda, Semien Shewa Zone, Amhara National Regional State.

During the launching event, the Zone administrator (Ato Tadesse Gebre Tsadik) expressed the demand in the zone for similar projects to curb the impact of COVID-19 on farmers and halt its expansion. The educative significance of the project is also vital not only for the selected Kebeles, but also for the Semien Shewa zone as a whole, which is now serving as one of the important destinations of tourists and investors in the country. Moreover, the administrator and other participants of the launching event have expressed their appreciation to the project with respect to greater opportunities given to women beneficiaries (67% of beneficiaries are women).

During the event, Ato Afework Hailu CEO of EWNRA and Ato Brehanu Ambaw Country Manager of CDF-Canada briefed the background and working interest their respective organization and the project objective of the project, and requested strong support and collaboration from sector offices at zone, woreda and kebele levels.

The project coordinator Ato Solomon Manaye elaborated in his detailed presentation the project objectives, beneficiary selection criteria, number and composition of beneficiaries (4000 female and 2000 male), role and responsibilities of pertinent stakeholders at all level, the type and amount of services that the project will provide like increasing access for inputs , alternative livelihood options as well as the identified seven cooperatives and five SACCOs for the purpose of input distribution and loan facilities.  In addition to that, he clearly indicated the allocated budget, and the integration of the project with 4R Nutrient Stewardship project being implemented in adjacent Minjar Shenkora Woreda of the zone.

Following an in-depth discussion on the project, the Zone administrator and the administrator of Hagere Mariam-Kesem Woreda (Ato Berehan Mekonnen) ascertained their commitment to support implementation of the project according to its plan. They have already shown this commitment from the very beginning by providing office free of charge as governmental contribution and helped to realign the budget allocated for office rent to the beneficiaries.

Text Box: Office provided by The Woreda for the project site staffs
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