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It was November 2016, the spring, the season every part of Ethiopia blossoms with flowers from wild plants, shining beauty from a mosaic of smallholder plots planted with different crop types and varieties of the same crop species and the greenery across the different landscapes and Agro-ecological zones. A team of experts of Agro-ecology from all over Africa came to Ethiopia to take part in the “Community Seed Knowledge” workshop organised by African Biodiversity Network (ABN) and the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD). The workshop was held in Dessie, a city located 400 km North East of the Ethiopian capital – Addis Ababa. On the day we drove to Dessie; we stopped in a small village in Harbu district of South Wollo Zone, one of the sorghum growing areas, and met smallholder farmers who have been involved in community seed bank project run by Ethio Organic Seed Action – an NGO working to save indigenous seeds. As we stopped by the roadside and got off our bus; the farme...

Ecological organic agriculture operates based on ecosystem functions. It embraces indigenous knowledge of local people, innovations and scientifically researched findings. In the areas where the EOA project implemented, there are several successes achieved on the production and establishment of market linkages. Follow the link below to listen to the success story of farmers in Dessie area, Ethiopia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEgsa-KDsX0&t=10s

The year 2020 came with a pandemic which posed a threat to the very survival of human beings in the planet's face. The pandemic started in china and spread worldwide like a wind assisted wild fire – reaching every corner of the world. It caused millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths throughout the world. It has forced governments to order total lockdowns, forced events that require public gatherings to be cancelled – including the famous European sport competitions and the Olympics. Since its first detection on March 13, 2020, 261 people were infected, with 5 deaths to date, with COVID-19 in Ethiopia. The pandemic caused huge socio-economic problems worldwide, one of which being food production and distribution. This will cause food shortage unless ways are devised to tackle the problem – with safety precautions recommended by WHO practiced to stay safe and productive. Amides the COVID-19 situation, a report came out in Ethiopia stating that the government...

His name is Alemu Asalefew - a 65-year-old man living in the heart of Addis Ababa. He has a small space in his backyard and uses it to grow different vegetables types including tomato, lettuce, pepper, kale, Swiss chard, beetroot, cabbage etc. “Seeing the vegetables grow from day to-day makes me feel happy beyond the food production” says Mr Alemu when asked about how important gardening is for him. One morning, we went to visit him and we found him in his backyard assessing his vegetables and he said “this is where you will find me if I am not in the house”. His main means of keeping his garden fertile is by preparing compost from compostable household waste, and his backyard looks so fertile. He showed us his composting pit, and he also said that he visited a vermicomposting and he is keen to try them in his garden with conventional composting side by side. His vegetables look so clean with no sign of pest and disease attack. When asked if pest and disease are challenges fo...

Agriculture is one of humankind's most basic activities which strives to fulfil people’s need to nourish themselves daily with healthy and nutritious food. As production systems, organic agriculture acknowledges the interconnectedness of human health, the natural world, and agricultural which have to operate with a healthy interaction amongst themselves. Hence, it relies on healthy ecological processes, biodiversity and cycle of interactions. The production system depends on the link between tradition, innovation and science. Below are few reasons to go for the production and consumption of organic: Organically grown food is healthy and is free from residues of toxic chemicals. Studies also showed that organic food has high content antioxidants.   Promotes the use of natural soil fertility enhancement and plant protection techniques are in harmony with nature Production system is knowledge intensive which promotes the use of local and indigenous knowledge Don’t pollu...