Geremewu Mamenew, a resident of Simbita kebele in Halaba Zone, explains that in the past, the region of Weira Dijo Woreda faced significant challenges due to frequent floods, which made it difficult to engage in agriculture.
He elaborated the fact that in the past, the community residing in this area was heavily dependent on external aid due to the persistent and devastating floods that plagued the region. The frequent occurrence of these highly destructive floods rendered the land unsuitable for cultivation, depriving the residents of the ability to sustain themselves through agriculture or other means. Consequently, the community had no choice but to rely on aid as their primary source of support and livelihood.
The constant need for external assistance not only eroded their self-sufficiency but also limited their ability to develop long-term solutions for their difficulties. Due to the challenges faced and the limitations of aid dependency, the community made the difficult decision to displaced and migrate to other places in search of more stable living conditions, he said.
With the support of the wereda’s agriculture bureau and experts, and with the availability of underground water resources, the community started summer irrigation, focusing on the cultivation of crops such as bananas, mangoes, avocados, papayas, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. This shift in agricultural practices allowed them to make optimal use of the available resources and overcome the challenges posed by the flood-prone soil, Geremewu noted.
Head of Agriculture Bureau at Wiera Dijo Wereda in Halaba Zone, Gobena Seman, told the Ethiopian Press Agency that seven out of the 26 kebeles in the area are severely affected by floods. To address this challenge, he collaborated with regional leaders and experts to conduct research on the best crops to grow in flood-prone areas. They focused on implementing summer irrigation techniques and cultivating various vegetable crops. He emphasized that the agricultural experts provided the community with improved seeds and raised awareness for the communities to overcome these issues.
Endeshaw Tassewu, the Chief Administration of the Central Ethiopian region, highlighted the situation in the Simbita area, where the community has been reliant on aid for approximately two decades. However, he emphasized that the community is now actively engaged in integrated agriculture, indicating a positive shift towards self-sustainability.
He stated that before the years, the community faced the challenge of seasonal floods, which forced them to migrate to other areas. However, they have now adopted alternative measures by utilizing underground water for summer irrigation. This has enabled them to cultivate crops consistently and generate income by selling their produce to neighboring regions at affordable prices.
Integrated agriculture farms in the central Ethiopian region are gaining prominence as a sustainable and efficient approach to farming. This farm aims to maximize productivity and optimize resource utilization by integrating different agricultural practices and components into a cohesive system.
The main principle of integrated agriculture farms is diversification. Farmers in the central Ethiopian region integrate multiple components within their farming systems, such as crops, livestock, and agroforestry. This diversification allows optimal utilization of resources, as inputs from one component can be used to support and enhance the productivity of others.
For instance, the integration of crops and livestock ensures a nutrient cycling system. Crop residues and by-products can be used as feed for livestock, while animal manure serves as organic fertilizer for crops. This closed-loop system reduces the reliance on external inputs and enhances soil fertility, leading to sustainable and resilient agricultural production.
Endeshaw proposed an ambitious agricultural strategy for farmers in the area. He remarked that the farmers work to apply the 30-40-30 Initiative. In this initiative, the farmers plant 30 different types of fruit in the first year, followed by 40 different types of fruit seedlings in the second year, and finally 30 different types of fruit in the third year.
This progressive approach would result in a total of 100 different types of fruits within a three-year timeframe. Consequently, within four or five years, the community would not only achieve food self-sufficiency but also stabilize their living costs by supplying their surplus produce to nearby local communities, he noted.
Geremewu mentioned that a turning point came when the 30-40-30 Initiative was introduced in the region under the nationwide food self-sufficiency initiative called Lemat Turfat. Inspired by this initiative, the community in Simbita Kebele organized themselves into an association and began working towards development and progress.
As a result of their collective efforts, he stated that the local community has achieved self-sufficiency in food production. The communities have been able to produce an abundance of fruits and a diverse range of food items, leading to a balanced diet for their children. This improved access to nutritious food has positively impacted the health and well-being of the community, he added.
In this sense, Geremew emphasized that the increased availability of fresh fruits and vegetables has made it easier for them to maintain good health. The community’s improved diet has had a positive impact on their overall well-being, contributing to their physical and mental health.
Furthermore, it is important to not only maintain food security but also safeguard the biodiversity of the region. Agroforestry is another important component of integrated agriculture farms in the region. Farmers strategically plant trees and shrubs alongside crops and livestock to create a multi-layered system. Trees provide shade, improve soil structure, conserve water, and offer additional products such as fruits, timber, and fodder. This integration of trees with other agricultural activities promotes biodiversity, mitigates climate change, and enhances the overall sustainability of the farming system.
The state’s farmers adopt a holistic approach to pest and disease control, relying on a combination of cultural practices, biological control agents, and minimal use of chemical pesticides. For instance, crop rotation, intercropping, and the cultivation of pest-resistant crop varieties are implemented to minimize pest pressure and maintain crop health naturally.
Moreover, integrated agriculture farms often prioritize sustainable and organic farming methods. Farmers minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, opting instead for organic inputs and biological control methods. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact of agriculture but also enhances the quality and safety of agricultural products, meeting the increasing demand for organic produce in domestic and international markets.
The Simbita community’s transition towards integrated agriculture and sustainable farming practices has the potential to transform their livelihoods. By harnessing underground water for irrigation and diversifying their crop production, they are gradually becoming self-sufficient and even contributing to the economic stability of neighboring communities. The region’s focus on integrated agriculture is a commendable step towards long-term sustainability and prosperity through addressing the challenges of farmers, he underlined.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 9 APRIL 2024
