The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) handed over horticultural farming tools to the Addis Ababa City Administration Farmers and Urban Agriculture Development Commission as part of an initiative implemented to expand urban agriculture and vertical farming technologies and create economic opportunities for young people in urban settlements.
In partnership with Mastercard Foundation and Digital Opportunity Trust as well as in close coordination with the Commission and offices at sub-city level, EHPEA has been implementing a one-year project designed to equip young people in urban areas with practical skills and technical knowledge in modern vertical farming, thereby contributing to improved food systems, job creation and employment opportunities in urban settlements.
The project has reached out 687 trainees drawn from 11 sub-cities, women making up 65% of the participants, providing them with the training consisting of days-long indoor theoretical sessions and hands-on field demonstrations on the premises of relevant facilities, according to Yodit Girma, the Project Coordinator on EHPEA side.
The following tasks as part of the project, the Coordinator said, would be follow-up and support in production and marketing the produces, conduct consultative and exchange sessions with pertinent bodies, and organize awareness raising event for participants among other activities.
The purchase and handover of the farming tools including seedling trays, three-hand cultivators, shovels, watering cans, water tankers and variety of horticultural seeds were made in accordance with the indicated needs for the implementation of the project.
Highlighting the progress and achievements over the last 7-8 years in practicing urban agriculture in the city, Mohammed Ligani, Deputy Commissioner of the Addis Ababa City Administration Farmers and Urban Agriculture Development Commission, commended EHPEA for the project in general and the donation of the tools in particular.
Handing over the tools to representatives of the project participants from respective sub-cities, EHPEA Executive Director Tewodros Zewdie reiterated the significant role urban agriculture and vertical farming plays in promoting food systems and expanding economic opportunities for urban settlers, particularly for youth and women.
Hailing the Government’s committed initiatives to promoting urban agriculture and vertical farming towards sustainable and self-sufficient food systems and economic opportunities in rapidly expanding cities, which is bearing fruitful outcomes, the Executive Director expressed EHPEA’s continued support and committed engagement with the Commission, sub-city offices and individual participants to take collaborative initiatives to higher level and enhance gains from the horticulture subsector.
