Training and seeds increase the harvest. The neighbors want to emulate farmer Addisu.
The starting point:
Addisu Ware lives with his family in the village of Golja. He used to grow local barley varieties and, due to a lack of money, hardly used any fertilizer. "The harvests were poor," says the farmer. The family lacked not only food but also the means to invest in the next season.
How we help:
The family received improved seeds and mineral fertilizer. Crucially, they also gained valuable know-how: Addisu learned to sow barley in rows and now knows when and how much fertilizer to apply to increase yields.
This is how the help works:
Addisu recently harvested 2,400 kilograms of barley from half a hectare. "Before, we often only had 400 kilograms," he says. The family only consumes a small portion of the new harvest themselves. They can sell the majority. With the proceeds, Addisu bought an ox – a crucial step toward greater independence: oxen are needed for plowing. "Those who don't own their own animals have to rent them at great expense," Addisu explains. He has become a role model for his neighbors, showing them what he has learned from others. Addisu is already planning ahead: "First, I want to lease land to plant broad beans, then open a kiosk selling everyday goods."
Barley – a nutritious grain
Barley is an important staple food in southern Ethiopia. It is used, among other things, for porridge and nutritious drinks. In our project, 360 families each receive 50 kilograms of seed and mineral fertilizer. The goal is not only self-sufficiency but also increased income through higher yields.
