From bare grounds to a thriving oasis: A lead farmer’s journey with Farmer Field Schools – the journey of Fekadu

By: Gerdien van Genderen – project lead Sustainable Water

I am visiting Fekadu. Fifteen years ago, Fekadu’s home in the heart of the Awash River Basin was a modest structure surrounded by sparse land. Today, it is a testament to the transformative power of knowledge and community effort in sustainable agriculture.

Fekadu’s journey began when he joined a Farmer Field School (FFS), a local initiative. The practical trainings are championed by SNV to educate farmers about advanced agricultural practices. The knowledge he gained there was not just theoretical; it was practical, empowering, and, above all, life-changing. With dedication and curiosity as his companions, he mastered the intricacies of crop spacing, the judicious use of chemicals, and the selection of high-yield varieties of tomatoes, onions, and cabbages. These skills were the seeds from which his flourishing garden grew.

Fekadu plukt een stengel met suikerriet voor Gerdien van Genderen

Now, Fekadu’s household garden is a vibrant canvas of green, showcasing not only local varieties of cabbage but also a burgeoning variety of fruit trees. And with a little bit of support, he can improve even more. His furrow irrigation[1] method, diligently applied every 20 days, nourishes rows of mango, avocado, and banana plants. Although furrow irrigation is not the most efficient practise, it shows that while progress has been made, there’s still a journey ahead towards more sustainable water management methods, a journey that the Farmer Field Schools is willing to make in the future with the community. However, Fekadu’s mango trees have suffered from fungal attacks, a challenge stemming from an agronomic knowledge gap. Despite the availability of effective treatments like Superban, Fekadu’s lack of awareness has led to reduced yields.

But Fekadu is not alone in his quest for improvement. Abraham, the new bureau head of the Awash region office, advocates for a win-win approach. Through the FFS learning plot, he envisions an ecosystem where efficient water use is the norm, and farmers like Fekadu are supported to increase their productivity and income. For Abraham, it’s also about image building—instilling the value of water as a precious commodity, encouraging its judicious use, and building trust within the community.

Fekadu’s story is one of transformation and hope. Once a man with little to his name, he now stands proud amidst his fertile oasis, ready to share his knowledge with his five children—three daughters and two sons—and his community. The sweet taste of his home-grown sugarcane is not just a treat for the family but a symbol of the sweet success that comes from understanding and valuing the very essence of life—water. As one of the lead farmers in the current Farmer Field School, Fedaku’s role is pivotal. His plot is not a piece of land, but also a learning ground, a possibility for Fekadu to transform communal knowledge into communal wealth.

With a collaboration of experts and leaders like Abraham and organisations like SNV, there’s a collective vision of a future where water is not only valued, but also used with efficiency. As visitors to the Awash River Basin Platform, you’re invited to witness this remarkable journey of growth and resilience. Fekadu’s story is not just his own; it’s the story of every farmer who dares to dream and works to turn that dream into a reality.

[1] Surface irrigation where water is led through small channels or furrows that are drawn between crop rows. The water flows from one side of the field to the other by gravity, allowing the water to slowly infiltrate the soil and reach the root zones of the plants. Furrow irrigation requires precise planning and management to prevent over-watering and erosion.

Waterpricing project is started

Ambitious Water Project is sign of hope in poor Ethiopia

On Tuesday 17 September the ambitious and unique water project ‘WaterPricing’ was launched. Six parties from Ethiopia and the Netherlands are working together to realize a good water management of the Awash river. This river provides a green oasis in a dry region and is the lifeline for millions of Ethiopians. The Awash river source originates near Addis Ababa, is 1,250 kilometres long and gives an important boost to employment and productivity in adjacent areas.

Along the Awash river a silent disaster has been taking place for years. A lot of water is drained upstream for agriculture and industry causing the level downstream to decrease. At the same time local residents near the river are threatened by floods during the rainy season. Due to the lack of good water management the available water is not retained well and the river and soil are increasingly drying up. For millions of vulnerable people, who depend on the river, this has far reaching consequences. Jacob Jan Vreugdenhil, project leader at Woord en Daad says: ‘Six parties have now signed an agreement and will introduce a business model. This is a big step in water management. Water must be paid for by farmers and entrepreneurs, and money will be available for access to and good use of the river water. This really is a sign of hope in a country like Ethiopia where drought is an important threat to the population and the economy.’

Cooperation between Ethiopia and the Netherlands

Woord en Daad has formed a consortium whose members are VNG International, Dutch Water Authorities, Royal Eijkelkamp, Basin Development Authority of Ethiopia, and the regional water bureau of Oromia state. These consortium partners have extensive experience in the field of water management, tariff setting, and soil and water research. During the launch, the objective and the impact of the programme were presented. ‘It is fantastic that each partner will contribute its expertise to make a huge difference in the lives of people in Ethiopia’, explains Rina Molenaar, Director and Manager of Woord en Daad. ‘During my speech at the event, I emphasized that we can achieve far more together. I’m grateful that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency have entrusted us to implement the project and bring the parties together.’

Paying users

The key to sustainable and efficient water management of the Awash river is referred to in the project’s name: WaterPricing. All water users will be registered and will have to pay for the water: big plantations, farmers, and farming groups who irrigate their farms together. This will lead to a cost recovery model, which can be used to pay for water management and maintenance. Pricing of water also stimulates the economical and efficient use of water. The project has a 6-year duration, and after its completion in 2024 there will be a paid system for water management that all users participate in. The four pillars under the new system are 1) smart monitoring of water use and quality by using measuring equipment 2) water taxation according to ability to pay and water use 3) reduction of water use and re-use of water, and 4) efficient irrigation.

‘Water means life’

In her keynote speech, Rina Molenaar emphasized that sustainable water management is a long-term challenge. The aim of WaterPricing can only be realized through the cooperation between public and private sector agencies. ‘The water management of the Awash river is a major challenge, but not insurmountable. The consortium partners have a lot of knowledge and experience. Together we can contain the threats of the Awash river and increase and make use of the opportunities and challenges the river offers. Water means life. Woord en Daad works from a Christian perspective on fair and just opportunities for vulnerable people. This also applies to access to water from public services.’ For the implementation of the programme, Woord en Daad has received financial support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Delegates from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency attended the WaterPricing launch.