Minister Counselor Rolf Ree (l), Program Officer Kidanemariam Jembere (c) and DF Resident Representative Jon Erik Nygaard after the signing ceremony. Photo: Øystein Nedrebø/Royal Norwegian Embassy in Addis AbabaThe Sustainable Agriculture Program in Tigray Regional State has been implemented since 2005 through a strategic partnership with Development Fund (DF) Norway. The program has been implemented by the DF, in collaboration with two local partners, viz. the Relief Society of Tigray (REST) and Women Association of Tigray (WAT).
The agreement signed by Minister Counselor Rolf Ree and Development Fund Resident Representative Jon Erik Nygaard extends the third phase of the program. Phase III covers 2009-2011. 10 million NOK was granted in 2009 and the new agreement is for over 18 million NOK for 2010-11.
The first phase of the program was supported with NOK 29.5 million during 2005-2006 while the second phase (2007-2008) was supported with more than NOK 17 million.
The goal of the program is to improve food security and livelihoods of chronically poor households and reduce vulnerability to disaster shocks in Tigray regional sate, one of the drier parts of the country.
The implementation of the program is bringing positive changes to the livelihoods of communities. Household income sources have been increased and diversified (both on-farm and off-farm) through the program’s intervention. Moreover, communities’ natural assets that are the basis for their livelihoods have been rehabilitated through area enclosures of degraded land, soil and water conservation measures and tree planting. The program is also considered highly relevant in helping farmers to adapt to the changing climate. Program interventions such as water harvesting structures, irrigation schemes, and watershed management are addressing the issue of adaptation to the changing climate while at the same time support rural community livelihoods.
Norway has been providing official development assistance to Ethiopia since 1993. The Royal Norwegian Embassy has been supporting Ethiopia’s efforts towards poverty alleviation through financing natural resources management and food security programs, and building competence and capacity in environmental/natural resources management.