Project title
Year-round wheat harvests in Ethiopia through better irrigation and management
Grantee institution
Madda Walabu University, Ethiopia
Team
Dr. Jemal Abdulkerim Ute, Assistant Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Tamado Tana (Ph.D.) Professional advisor
Dr. Feyera Merga Liben (Ph.D.), Researcher The Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, ILRI, AddisAbaba, Ethiopia
Dr. Tulu Degefu Abdi (Ph.D.) Researcher ICRISAT, Ethiopia ]
Key Partners
Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture
Agricultural Extension Services
Seed Companies
Local Farming Communities
Why We Exist
Background
Ethiopia, one of Africa’s largest countries, is facing a severe food insecurity crisis. Despite its agricultural potential, ongoing conflicts, recurrent droughts, and economic challenges have led to widespread hunger and malnutrition. As of 2023, about 20.1 million people need food support, with 7.4 million women and children suffering from malnutrition. Recurrent droughts have adversely affected agricultural productivity, with wheat being a critical staple food.
The proposed project aims to enhance off-season wheat production by evaluating and optimizing different irrigation and management systems. This project aims to help ensure the success of the Ethiopian government’s initiative, begun in 2019, to introduce wheat production during the dry season and promote self-sufficiency in wheat production. By addressing water efficiency and yield challenges, the project seeks to improve productivity and food security.
Approach
The project will simulate various irrigation scenarios in the Upper Wabi Shebele Sub-Basin, assessing their effectiveness in maximizing wheat yield. It will conduct economic analyses of different irrigation methods and provide capacity-building training for farmers. Additionally, the project will evaluate heat-tolerant wheat varieties developed by local research centers, recommending the most water-efficient ones for adoption. The project will also address broader value chain issues, including marketing and post-harvest management.
Targets
The project aims to reach 3,749,400 farmers within 5 years and 11,218,200 farmers within 20 years. These figures are based on an assumed 83% adoption rate of the improved practices.
Current status
Madda Walabu University is well-regarded for its research and educational commitment.
Role of Grow Further
Grow Further will provide a grant for two years, covering research, development, and capacity-building costs.
Our long-term plan is to form a network of chapters or imitators so that farmers and scientists have lots of choices when it comes to testing small or unconventional ideas, and so that people who don’t work at a grant-making agency have a meaningful way to get involved.
