Irrigation-Based Horticulture:

1. ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR RURAL YOUTH.

The goal of the entrepreneurship initiative is to provide the youth with training in specific skills such as making footwear, producing and repairing farm tools, weaving, horticulture, and improved beehives. The project will also assist the youth in starting their own businesses in their communities based on their newly acquired skills.

A. IRRIGATION-BASED HORTICULTURE

The youth sub-group "Magiwasha Inideg Yeatikilit ina Firafire Limat Mehaber" consists of 35 youth. The local administration allocated the youths 2 hectares of irrigable land at the edge of the Berressa River in a low land area known locally as Magiwasha Kola Sulai. The area is located 20 kilometers due west from Debre Brehan. The youth submitted a business plan to Dir Biyabir in June 2008 for irrigation-based horticulture. The proposal was to generate revenue by planting and harvesting vegetables and fruit trees including lowland fruits like citrus, mango, and papaya. The requested start up capital was $23,830. ADHENO worked with the youth to satisfactorily answer follow up questions presented by Dir Biyabir regarding disease and insect control, storage, and profit sharing. In October 2008, Dir Biyabir awarded the youth 90% of the requested capital ($21,447 ETB, i.e. $2,151 USD). The youth were asked to contribute the remaining 10% from their membership fees.

Members of "Magiwasha Inideg Yeatikilit ina Firafire Limat Mehaber" in their farmland by the Beressa river

UPDATE 2009 (SEE REPORT)

The youth effectively established their horticultural cooperative, registered it with the local

government, and received training on financial management. By July 2009 they had planted

and harvested 4000 kg (approximately 9,000 Ib) of onions from 1 hectare (approximately 2.5

acres, or 10,000 square meters) of land. The expected revenue from the sales of the onions is

approximately $15,000 ETB ($1,328 USD).

Key project accomplishments to date include:

• Generator installed at the edge of the Berressa River

• 10 meter wood bridge constructed on the head of the gully to transport generator

• Land prepared for irrigation.

• Local onion seeds purchased and sown on one hectare (balance saved for planting teff)

• Adjacent 4-5 hectares of land also ploughed

• Guard hut constructed and staffed around the clock

• Weeding undertook every week of the first month and every two weeks of the second

month by each members of the association.

• 4,000 kilos of onions harvested (estimated market price of 15,000 ETB/ $1,318 USD)

• Onion seeds reserved for next planting season

• Fifty improved orange seedlings provided by ADHENO planted adjacent to Onion field.

• Every two weeks every members of the association are obliged to participate in a meeting.

Challenges encountered, possible solutions and future plans discussed and minutes of the

meeting recorded by the secretary of the Association.

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The onion field ready for harvest

Onions from the latest harvest