(For a better understanding of the Gamo people, please refer the article posted on the Embassy’s web page on 19 February 2009). The people are poor neighbours of those in the valley, as tropical fruits i.e. bananas, mangoes, and papayas from the valley were sold to the poorer people in the highlands, who had little to offer in return. Today money flows in both directions and the lives of the poor have improved significantly as temperate fruits i.e. apples, pears and plums produced in the highlands are traded in the valley and even beyond.
The history of temperate fruits production in Chencha dates back to the time when Missionaries first set foot in the area in the 1940s. It was the missionaries who, for the first time, introduced the fruits and taught the locals how to grow them. They also established an orchard, which was later destroyed during the change of government. Following the overthrow of the Monarchy and the coming in to power of the military dictator, the missionaries were expelled and subsequently the practice of growing temperate fruits came to a temporary halt. With the downfall of the Military government in May 1991, temperate fruits production begun to revive through the works of the Kale Hiwot Church. Today 70 different varieties of apple are grown, along with different varieties of pears and plums and are being sold in the vicinity as well as in Addis.
The practice of temperate fruits production has brought about an economic renaissance and uplifting thereby improving lives and livelihoods of farmers in Chencha. Farmers (temperate fruits producers) are benefiting tremendously both form the sale of the fruits and seedlings. The fruits are being sold predominanlty to supermarket chains, Embassies and hotels in Addis Ababa whereas the seedlings are sold to farmers and private establishments in various parts of the country. Today, Chencha apple is very popular throughout the country. The economic gains that temprta efruits growers are enjoying in Chencha are visible: children are attending school, young people are going for higher education and housing and feeding conditions have improved tremendously. What is more, some farmers have ventured in to investing in various economic activities i.e. fattening, the purchase of Isuzu tracks etc. Today in Chencha, temperate fruits production is a lucrative business and has therefore become a common practice to the extent that it is common to find one or more varieties of apples, pears and plums in the backyards of farmers.
Not only is the production of temperate fruits at its peak at Chencha but also training seminars are being offered three times a year. Drawing large number of participants from all over Ethiopia, these seminars, which include theoretical as well as practical aspects, enabled participants to be equipped with the technical knowledge as well as skill required to pursue temperate fruit production. The training events last for 7 weeks and participants leave the training venue with seedlings. As a result, temperate fruits, particularly apples today are found growing in many parts of the Ethiopian highlands. Local government officials have also been invited to these training seminars in various occasions and have now recognised the success of this programme.