28-year-old Abilu has been a farmer for as long as he can remember. “I grew up on the land. When I was little I helped my father on the land and I took care of the cattle. Now I rent my own piece of land, where I have onions, corn and teff (a cereal). Together with my 10 employees I cultivate this hectare of land.” That’s not always easy. “The Awash River provides water, which I need to grow my crops. But being so close to the river has a downside: I have lost my crop twice due to a flood. This country is my income, my existence, so what could I do when my crops are washed away? “