Thanks to the generous support of Christian Aid Ethiopia, eight Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in Dassenech Woreda, South Omo Zone, South Ethiopia received 15 days of training to enhance animal health service delivery. They were also equipped with essential vaccines, medicines, and supplies, in collaboration with the local government animal health department.

In Ankesha Guagussa Woreda, Awi Zone, in the Amhara region, women farmers are thriving in cabbage production through training in improved techniques, vermi compost preparation, and access to quality seeds — strengthening food security and improving nutrition.

In Bibugn Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, we are implementing a Water, Plant, and Animal project in partnership with a vulnerable community. With the support of Mercy Hand Europe, this initiative empowers community members through diversified income generation and the development of enhanced economic resilience. Focusing on integrated development, the project enables community to improve water access, cultivate crops, and raise livestock, creating greater opportunities for self-sufficiency and contributing to long-term community well-being.

In partnership with Christian Aid Ethiopia and Bread for the World, we're empowering vulnerable communities in Dassenech Woreda, South Omo Zone, and Hulet Eju, East Gojjam Zone, through sustainable livelihood initiatives. Our work includes poultry farming in Dassenech and beekeeping in Hulet Eju, providing vital income sources, diversifying economic opportunities, and building community resilience..

With the generous support of our valued partners, Mercy Hand Europe and Bread for the World, we are working to transform lives in Bibugn and Hulet Eju Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region. Our sheep production activities are empowering women, providing them with valuable skills and resources to build economic independence and contribute to their communities' prosperity.

In the arid lowlands of Dassenech Woreda, where livelihoods have long depended on fragile pastoral systems, a quiet but powerful transformation is unfolding. Thanks to a targeted initiative supporting poultry and fisheries-based livelihoods, women like Serbur Lomakel are rewriting the narrative of poverty and dependency—one egg and one fish at a time.

Serbur, a mother of four from Kerewe kebele, was among the 33 women selected from VESA groups in Deleghnmur, Delerere, and Kerewe to receive training and support in poultry production. Equipped with new skills and 10 egg-laying hens, she began selling eggs at the local market. Today, she earns approximately 3,360 ETB each month—income that was previously unimaginable in her household. Like Serbur, 75% of the women beneficiaries now report monthly earnings between 3,000 and 3,360 ETB, allowing them to cover school fees, buy nutritious food, and access healthcare for their families.

Beyond income, nutrition has seen a notable improvement. Eggs, once a luxury, are now a regular part of the household diet, especially for children and pregnant women. With protein, vitamins, and essential minerals now more accessible, malnutrition has declined, and dietary diversity has improved across beneficiary families.

The ripple effects of this transformation are visible in other parts of the community as well. A group of 25 men and women, trained in fisheries management and equipped with boats and tools, now harvest around 50 kilograms of fish daily. Their collective income—about 2,500 ETB per day—offers a vital alternative to livestock-based livelihoods, especially during drought or livestock loss. With nutrient-rich fish now available locally, food security in the region has taken a decisive step forward.

But the most profound change lies beyond income and nutrition. For many women, including Serbur, chicken ownership has shifted their roles from dependents to decision-makers. With their own income streams, women are contributing to household decisions, saving for the future, and being recognized as entrepreneurs within their communities. The project has built not just skills, but confidence, dignity, and hope.

In the words of Serbur Lomakel:
“Before, I waited for my husband to buy food. Now, I can provide for my children, send them to school, and even save a little. I feel proud. I feel strong."

Farmers in the Amhara region, particularly in East Gojjam Zone’s Hulet Eju Woreda, have increasingly adopted vermicomposting as a sustainable farming practice. Many local farmers reported that producing vermicompost using household organic waste and farm residues has significantly improved soil fertility and crop yields. They appreciated that the process is low-cost, environmentally friendly, and does not require chemical inputs, making it accessible even for smallholder farmers.

The experience of farmers also highlighted the benefits of vermicomposting in enhancing soil structure and moisture retention, particularly during the dry season. Several farmers noted that vegetables and cereal crops grown with matured faster and had better quality compared to those grown with traditional fertilizers.

In the heart of Ethiopia’s dryland corridor, a transformative initiative is turning arid fields into thriving hubs of productivity and resilience. Through the introduction of solar-powered irrigation systems in Dassenech Woreda, communities are now harnessing renewable energy to power livelihoods and catalyze sustainable economic growth—particularly for women and youth. This initiative stands as a flagship success for Blue-Green Enterprise development in the region.

Implemented by Agri Service Ethiopia (ASE) in collaboration with local authorities and technical partners, the project integrates environmentally sustainable technologies with inclusive economic development. The core objective: to empower vulnerable households through climate-smart agriculture, market-oriented value chains, and enterprise development.

At the center of this innovation is a solar-powered irrigation system that now irrigates over 10 hectares of farmland. This system has significantly reduced reliance on erratic rainfall, increased cropping intensity, and enabled the production of high-value vegetables and fruit seedlings throughout the year. For women-headed households, this has translated into enhanced food security, higher income, and greater autonomy.

Beyond production, the initiative integrates training in post-harvest handling, enterprise management, and cooperative development. Beneficiaries—many of whom had minimal prior agricultural experience—have gained skills in organic farming, water-use efficiency, and market linkage. Today, more than 200 households, including youth-led microenterprises, have launched income-generating activities anchored in irrigated agriculture.

This model aligns seamlessly with the Blue-Green Enterprise framework, which emphasizes nature-based solutions, circular resource use, and community-driven innovation. The solar-powered system not only reduces carbon emissions and operating costs but also demonstrates the viability of clean technology in remote, underserved regions.

The success of the Dassenech initiative reflects a powerful convergence of technology, training, and trust. It offers a replicable model for scaling sustainable livelihoods while protecting fragile ecosystems. As demand for climate-resilient development continues to grow, solar-powered irrigation is lighting a path forward—for people, planet, and prosperity.

• Vermicomposting has been implemented on a large scale across the project woredas, enabling farmers to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. This practice not only improves soil fertility and crop yields but also promotes sustainable farming and environmental stewardship within the communities

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