She is amongst the three youths who got ‘Global Earth Champion’ recognition from IGAD for their contribution to climate change in the East Africa region. Helina is mostly known for her ‘Seed ball Ethiopia’ innovation, though she won two prizes in the field of climate change for her country.
According to Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), the world’s largest knowledge-led platform on integrated land use, dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement, under Climate Change Africa (CCA), Helina had successfully organized three expos in Ethiopia and one in Kenya (2019) with the help of the US Embassy Addis Ababa.
In 2020, she was one of the panelists for World Economic Forum (1t.org – Empowering the #RestorationGeneration) where she shared her experience how she plans to be part of the 1 trillion tree movement with the help of Seed balls.
She earned her first degree in the field of Architecture from Addis Ababa University. During her stay at the university, she had taken courses on sustainable architecture landscape which helped her to develop an interest in working on climate change. Currently, she is following an online Entrepreneurship course from Regent Business School in South Africa.
In 2016, she established her first ‘Climate Change Africa’ Organization. Through her company, she was able to support many youths to encounter and collaborate with different professionals as well as stakeholders to work on various projects. They were able to organize similar events in neighboring country Kenya.
Dedicating her entire time to such projects, she somehow neglected her own work. While she was talking to an old friend over the phone, in 2018, Helina was introduced with the idea of ‘Seed Ball’ for the first time. The seed ball that her friend talked about was the one which was covered in a circled paper and could be used after recycled.
Their conversation took her back to the landscape architecture course she took at the university. She then started thinking and researching how she could turn it into Ethiopia’s context and make use of the innovation.
Through her research, she learnt that children in various areas make snowballs and mud balls to play with. Then, she decided to try making the seed ball with mud.
Since finding enough mud that could be used for samples would be hard in the capital; she went to Gurage Zone, Eza District in Agena Town. She stayed about four years researching and examining different mud until she finally found this one type of mud that could be used for seed balls.
Apart from containing essential inputs and natural fertilizer, the seed balls Helina finally made hold Nitrogen, Potassium, and Calcium. Since the seed is covered with a circle of mud, it would be protected from getting eaten by insects and also minimize the cost that used to be spent for fertilizers. More importantly, the seed balls would reduce the burden that most women go through when they plant seeds in agriculture.
Once the seed ball is planted underneath the land, it would start feeding the land the essential substance it contains. Even in the rainy season, the ball will break down into pieces and start growing by itself. Thus, it has changed the time which used to take four month to grow into two months.
Naturally, seeds will run out of their actual serving time, nonetheless, she is undertaking further research to extend the time at least to one year.
The seeds that are covered in mud are different in types. The ones that are used for vegetables and fruits have around four different seeds within themselves. However, the seeds that are found in flowers have 5 to 6 seeds.
Currently, she has opened a seed ball manufacturing company around Shiro Meda and employed three women and a man. The company, which has the capacity to produce 1000 seed balls, produces about 14 vegetable seeds.
It also contains over 50,000 vegetable seed balls. They also produce six types of flower seeds, and 11 types of indigenous trees.
Helina strives to distribute the seed balls easily to farmers. For instance, farmers located in Amhara State have taken the seed balls for trial where they have said the results are very promising.
Similarly, the tree seeds have been accepted by farmers in Oromia State. Remarkably, the seeds are penetrating into the capital as well as in various public institutions. Moreover, it is creating job opportunity for many youths especially for women.
The fact that the seed balls are natural, they have the capacity to treat lands that have been damaged by acid and chemicals. Besides saving the cost that used to be expended on purchasing chemical fertilizer, it could allow the nation to preserve endangered indigenous plant species.
The seed balls have already passed government’s evaluation process and have received positive feedback. Currently, they are on the waiting list to receive verification code and; are holding talks with the Ministry of Agriculture.
She said that she wants to expand the business and collaborate with governmental and non-governmental institutions so as to create more jobs for the youth. Furthermore, she plans to supply the seeds for farmers at an affordable price.
As to her, the seed ball could contribute hugely for the agriculture sector, ensure food self-sufficiency as well as enhance productivity. It could also support the green development projects.
Helina said that she wants to continue teaching courses on entrepreneurship, investment and skill development. “Opportunity that could allow the youth to actively engage in climate change and discuss with professionals must be created,” she stressed. She strongly believes that women should be encouraged to do business and become self-employed.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 4 JANUARY 2024
