Farmer Damma Yami is a resident of Alaga Dore Village in Jeju District, Oromia State. She is one of the farmers who have benefitted from the innovative agricultural initiative, the ADAPT Wheat project, introduced by CIMMYT, and it made a notable change in their lives.
“For many years, we lived in arid conditions where livestock farming was our primary livelihood. However, due to the challenges posed by weather irregularities, our traditional farming systems were no longer sufficient to sustain our livelihoods. Luckily, the ADAPT-Wheat project that was introduced in recent years has reversed this trend. The project brought us wheat cultivation as a new and golden opportunity for the farming community. We received high-yielding seeds, training, and technical support on farming practices, and soon we began to see impressive results,” Damma remarked.
According to Damma, the project has multifarious benefits. It provides food for their families, enables them to generate income to send their children to school, and helps them meet other basic needs. “As a farmer who has engaged in this project, I can confidently say that it has reshaped our future livelihood,” she confirmed self-assuredly.
Indeed, increasing wheat production and productivity is one strategy that has received special attention from the government not only to meet the growing wheat demand for domestic consumption; but also to promote export.
As a critical approach to mitigate the impact of climate variability, diversify the economy, ensure food sovereignty, reduce dependency on wheat imports; and eventually becoming a potential exporter of wheat and wheat products, wide-ranging activities are implemented throughout the country.
Accordingly, these days, areas that were once unfamiliar with agricultural activities have started growing wheat by adopting modern farming techniques, such as promoting irrigation, adoption of improved seed varieties,, exercising better pest management practices and farm mechanization that are crucial to enhance overall agricultural productivity.
These goals align with Ethiopia’s broader agricultural and economic development strategies, which prioritize self-sufficiency, poverty reduction, and economic diversification.
In a manner aligning with the Ethiopian government’s efforts, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is also carrying out activities to address the production challenges faced by Ethiopia’s irrigated lowland areas. Through its ADAPT-Wheat Project, launched in Oromia and Afar states, CIMMYT, joining hands with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) is working to improve wheat production and improve the livelihoods of farmers in those areas by introducing new varieties and modern technologies. The initiative aims to directly benefit 1,000 households, with many more indirectly impacted in the two states, according to Center’s publication.
As stated by CIMMYT-Ethiopia Country Representatives and Project Leader, Buckle Abeyo (PhD), the ADAPT-Wheat project marks a major milestone in Ethiopia’s wheat production journey. It introduces viable wheat technologies that are well-suited for the irrigated lowlands, enhancing both production and productivity in the pursuit of food and nutritional security.
Sharing this same idea, Senior Researcher and Representative of EIAR-DG Tolossa Debele (PhD) said that CIMMYT has contributed significantly to advancing Ethiopia’s wheat production system by introducing germplasm, improving varieties, providing financial, equipment and technical support as well as offering training for both researchers and farmers.
“With the ADAPT-Wheat project, we’ve seen another tangible difference in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly in the Afar and Oromia states. The project’s support, including the introduction of modern farm machinery, has not only enhanced mechanization at the farm level but has also contributed meaningfully to the broader objectives of national agricultural development,” he added.
While stating major milestones and achievements, the publication mentioned, capacity building for sustainable change including conducting Training of Trainers (TOT) on agronomic packages for development agents and district level subject matter expert to help them effectively share their knowledge with farmers. Further, the introduction of elite wheat lines and the adoption of modern irrigation technology and mechanization as core among others played a central role in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Seed production and distribution intervention that gave due emphasis to ensuring the availability of high-quality wheat seeds as well as women and youth empowerment strategy devised to empower women and young people in agriculture activities were also some of the other key achievements that can be stated in this regard.
Through these efforts, the project successfully reached approximately 4,300 households and engaged a wide range of stakeholders, contributing to human capacity development, seed production and distribution, technology diffusion, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices.
With regard to the development of physical infrastructure, the construction of a quarantine facility and the installation of air conditioners at the Werer Research Center have strengthened the project’s capacity to conduct research and maintain high standards for agricultural innovation. Furthermore, the procurement of vital farm machinery has set the stage for more sustainable wheat farming in Ethiopia’s lowlands, ensuring long-term agricultural productivity and resilience, the publication added.
By doing so, the Center can increase wheat product and productivity and transform the livelihoods of smallholder farmers residing in the project areas.
Farmer Yeshiwas Worku, 40, is a dweller in Woticha Dole village Merti district of Arsi Zone in Oromia State, is the other beneficiary of the ADAPT project. Like Farmer Damma, he also reflected his opinion regarding the impact of this project.
According to him, in earlier years, [before this project], wheat cultivation was not traditionally practiced in his area, but it has now become a game-changer for the community. The introduction of modern farming tools, machinery, and access to improved crop varieties has been a key to their success. With the help of the project, wheat production has not only become their main source of income but also helped farmers to build their confidence in their ability to sustain their livelihoods.
“We are now familiar with modern farming tools, machines, and practices thanks to the implementing partners of the ADAPT project. We also have access to improved crop varieties, which are crucial for better production and increased income. Now, wheat production has become the main source of our livelihood. This alternative farming opportunity has not only boosted our confidence but has also allowed us to secure a more sustainable livelihood for us. I am deeply grateful to the project-implementing partners for playing such a crucial role in transforming our lives. The impact has truly been transformative,” he remarked.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 16 MARCH 2025
