Africa RISING pulse project holds inception workshop in the Bale highlands of Ethiopia
On 31 May 2012, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC) hosted an inception workshop for the Africa RISING ‘early win’ project on the integration of pulses in crop-livestock production systems in the Bale Highlands of Ethiopia.
The project intends to improve cropping system in the Bale highlands by introducing the seeds of improved varieties of faba bean, field pea, lentil and chickpea and to demonstrate, popularize and simultaneously multiply seeds for re-distribution during the planting season. Accordingly, seeds were distributed and planted on 350 farmers’ plots in April 2012 in the selected peasant associations, mainly in Sinana and Gasara districts.
During the meeting, participants reviewed achievements made and problems faced during project implementation. They were very happy with the achievements made in a short time and agreed to provide full support for the project.
Besides the interesting interactions and discussions, extension and development agents, input heads and experts of five districts were trained in crop management (agronomy), land preparation, seeding rates, recommended fertilizer and their rates, planting time major weeds and weeding time.
Participants of the workshop were drawn from the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR), Farm Africa, Agarfa Agricultural Research Centre, district agendts and experts from different woreda and zone agricultural offices.
About this early win project
Photos
Watch an interview with Geletu Bejiga introducing the project:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQPYakzLaU4&w=560&h=315]
More ‘early win’ projects
The Africa RISING program comprises three linked research-for-development projects, funded by the USAID Feed the Future Initiative, and aiming to sustainably intensify mixed farming systems in West Africa (Southern Mali and Northern Ghana), the Ethiopian Highlands and East and Southern Africa (Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi).
To produce some short-term outputs and to support the longer term objectives of the projects, in 2012 Africa RISING funded several small, short-term projects in each of the regions. More information.
