Addis Ababa: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Japan, has launched a new initiative to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and support conflict-affected rural communities in the northern regions of Ethiopia. The approximately 7.2 million USD project will be implemented by FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture in Amhara, Tigray, and Afar regions over a four-year period. The initiative aims to revitalize agricultural livelihood, improve food security, and enhance climate resilience through the Farmers Field School (FFS) approach.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the project introduces innovative climate-smart agricultural practices to help farmers adapt to extreme weather conditions, restore degraded farmland, and improve crop production. The project will empower farmers by equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to face climate-related challenges. Speaking on the occasion, Japan Ambassador to Ethiopia, Shibata Hironori, emphasized Japan’s recognition of agriculture as one of the most important industries in the country.
Japan’s support in the sector is based on three major pillars: investment in people, self-reliance of small-scale farmers through market-oriented agriculture, and rice production. The ambassador highlighted that the new project aligns with these major pillars of Japan’s assistance. FAO Representative in Ethiopia, Farayi Zimudzi, stated that the project would contribute to the Ethiopian Government’s efforts in achieving food self-sufficiency. FAO has been working in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, focusing on animal health promotion, support to crop production, and income-generating activities.
Agriculture Minister Girma Amente expressed appreciation to FAO, the Government of Japan, and JICA for their support. He mentioned that the initiative aligns with the government’s plans and priorities. He acknowledged FAO’s provision of technical support in areas around food security, nutrition, and livelihood improvement.