Japan grants over 291,400 USD to educational development projects

The Embassy of Japan signed a grant agreement of over 291,408 USD with two Non-Governmental Organizations, a zonal administration and a school expansion project to assist educational development projects.

According to a press release issued by the Japanese Embassy here, the government of Japan provided the grant under the Grant Assistance for grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP) which is designed to meet the diverse needs of development and offer flexible and timely support for development projects at the grass roots level.

The four organizations that secured the grant are Facilitator for Change–Ethiopia,the Generation in Action Development Association,South Omo Zone Administration Office and Yewahenye School Expansion Project Committee. (December 28, WIC)

NGOs executing over 156mln birr worth projects in North Gondar Zone

NGOs in North Gondar Zone have been executing 56 projects with over 156 million birr,according to the Zonal Agriculture and Rural Development Department. Department Representative Abebe Alemu told WIC today that most of the projects were launched last year by local and foreign NGOs.

He further said the projects are geared towards ensuring food security mainly focusing on conservation and protection of natural resources,irrigation,education, health,agriculture and potable water as well as capacity building training.(December 28, WIC)

Office to distribute agricultural inputs worth 120 million Birr

A Cooperatives Promotion Office in Arssi zone of Oromia State announced plan to distribute over 322,000 quintals of agricultural inputs worth over 120 million Birr among farmers.

Marketing and loan expert with the office, Tadesse Wordofa told Ethiopian News Agency that the office has plans to purchase over 259,200 quintals of fertilizer and 64,000 quintals of select seed.

Tadesse said 80 per cent of the agricultural inputs would be supplied to farmers through the Hitosa farmers' cooperatives' union. (December 28,Assela)

District to extend round-the-clock electric power supply to 12 rural towns in Kafa Zone

Activities are underway to provide round-the-clock electric power supply to 12 rural towns in Kafa Zone this fiscal year, the Bonga District of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) said.

District Manager Agelele Taye told WIC today that various activities have been underway to electrify the rural communities since last September.

Supply of poles and extension of electric lines is underway, the manager said, adding that Adiyakaka, Wushwush, Shema, Mera, Konda, Chiri, Gojeb, Bitagenet, Oda Ufa, Shishinda towns as well as the Wushwush Tea Plantation would become beneficiaries of the electric service by the support obtained from government and World Bank. (December 27, WIC)

Cooperatives with over 7.4mln birr capital record encouraging activities in Gondar

Some 411 cooperatives with over 7.4 million birr capital have reportedly been engaged in various businesses in North Gondar Zone. Zonal Agriculture and Rural Development Department Representative, Abebe Alemu, told WIC today that the cooperatives with 128,374 members have been registering encouraging results.

The cooperatives have been engaged in the supply of agricultural inputs, irrigation development, loan provision and distribution, dairy development, animal husbandry and fattening, according to the representative. (December 27, WIC)

Enterprise popularizing high protein maize in SNNP State

The Ethiopian Select Seed Enterprise said it has been popularizing maize species with high protein in the SNNP State with a view to alleviating malnutrition in the state.

Speaking at the training of trainers for agricultural development workers here yesterday, Awassa Shallo Basic Seed Farm and Processing Center Head with the Enterprise , Dr. Wolde-Michael Alberto said the new species contains protein that could be obtained from milk and egg.

Accordingly, the enterprise has distributed the new maize species in maize growing zones of Hadiya, Wolayta, Silte, Kembata Tembaro zones of the state in the past three years, thus minimizing lack of protein in children below the age of five and mothers, he added. (December 27, WIC)

Construction of Goba-Dodola project launched

The construction work of a 133-km Goba-Dodola asphalt road project was launched in Bale Zone of Oromia State on Thursday with an outlay of 371 million birr .

The construction has been launched in the presence of residents, adminsitrative bodies and elders.

The construction work would be finalized within three and a half years now. CGC, a Chinese Company, has taken up the construction of the road project.

The fund for the implementation of the project was allocated by the regional government and an organization called International Development Association. (December 28, Goba)