The Global Solidarity Forum (GSF), in partnership with Mercy Corps and Salesian Don Bosco, supported by the Helmsley Charitable Trust, is implementing a transformative initiative aimed at empowering smallholder farmers in Ethiopia’s Gambela region. By equipping farmers with the resources, knowledge, and financial tools they need, this project is fostering sustainable livelihoods and economic resilience.
Strengthening Farmers’ Economic Opportunities
The GSF team, led by Jini Sebakunzi (GSF Partnerships Manager), alongside Mercy Corps and Don Bosco, visited Gambela to assess and support over 600 farmers through a series of strategic interventions designed to enhance agricultural productivity, financial access, and skill development.
Key Interventions:
- Enhancing Agricultural Productivity
- Improving access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and farming tools through private agro-dealer networks.
- Implementing a farmer-led training approach to promote sustainable and climate-smart farming techniques.
- Facilitating joint farming initiatives that strengthen collaboration between host and refugee communities.
- Expanding Financial Inclusion
- Establishing mobile banking agents and kiosks to bring essential financial services closer to farmers.
- Installing Point-of-Sale (POS) systems to facilitate secure and efficient transactions.
- Providing financial literacy training to enable farmers to make informed decisions and invest in their future.
- Building Skills for Economic Independence
- Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programs to build the capacity of local government extension officers, ensuring continuous farmer support.
- Vocational training through Salesian Don Bosco TVET centers, equipping local youth with practical skills in irrigation agronomy, mobile maintenance, tailoring, and hairdressing.
- On-farm practical training to reinforce hands-on learning and boost agricultural productivity.
Empowering Farmers for Long-Term Sustainability
At the core of this initiative is the goal of empowering farmers to break the cycle of poverty and become self-reliant entrepreneurs. Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driving a market-based approach, connecting farmers with private sector actors and local institutions to create lasting economic opportunities.
Sustainability mechanisms include:
- Stronger market linkages that enable farmers to access inputs, buyers, and financial services beyond the project’s duration.
- Capacity building for local trainers and extension workers to ensure continued knowledge transfer.
- Financial empowerment strategies that help farmers invest in their farms, diversify income sources, and improve their economic resilience.
By providing smallholder farmers with the right tools, skills, and financial opportunities, this initiative is paving the way for sustainable economic growth in Gambela. Through collaboration, innovation, and local capacity building, farmers can achieve financial independence, increase their agricultural productivity, and improve their quality of life for generations to come.
