How many areas have been identified as being conducive for apple cultivation?
We have identified 35 woredas in Oromia region which we can say are conducive areas for apple production. The SUN- Program ( Sustainable Utilization of Natural Resources) operates in Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions. Propagation of apple production is one aspect of the program, focusing on Oromia. Cultivation is possible in altitudes of 2,300- 2,500 meters, as well as the good availability of water and nutrients (i.e. red soil). The land must be large enough to produce a maximum harvest. Furthermore, the farmers must be able to manage the farm. We expect certain know-how on how to manage the orchards, such as the ability to manage the farm using compost, watering the soil and so on.

Why was the Spanish variety of apple selected for the SUN program?
At the beginning, we tried different varieties from Chencha woreda. Unfortunately the Chencha variety hasn’t shown as high productivity in other areas. Finally, we decided to use Anna, Princesa and Dorset Golden, since they are the best varieties for the highland areas.

Model farmers have been identified and it is estimated that the farmers earn up to 12,000 birr annually. This is over 100 times the average national per capita income in Ethiopia. What impact will the growth of such programs have on overall development?
It has a special impact on the overall development, especially in such a way that farmers income has increased and their living conditions have improved. Traders earn a living by collecting the harvest for sale in nearby woredas, as well as in Addis Ababa.

Is the program limited to producing ripe apples for supermarkets or are you planning agro-industrial ventures? (canned apple product, apple cider...)?
Well, quantities are still a bit limited. So far, the marketing is no problem as traders come form Addis Ababa to buy apples at a farm gate price of 15 birr per kilo. With the new import of 83,000 seedlings, agro-industry will be an issue in the future.

Do the farmers have export potential?
The Addis Ababa and the Ethiopian market is open for the farmers. If you want to go for export, you need to fulfill other quality guidelines concerning the color and size, and I am not sure we have fulfilled these. At the moment, we are aiming at the local market in Addis. It is large enough for the farmers.

What other fruit varieties do you recommend to be planted along with the apple trees?
Within the apple orchards, we recommended other crops such as vegetables, fodder plants, peaches and some additional apple varieties.

What kind of cooperation have you received from the concerned government authorities?
Activities on apple production, mainly research at the beginning, started in 1998. By now, the activities are fully integrated into the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development. They organize and finance and GTZ supports with technical know-how, capacity building of extension staff and farmers. We are working together at regional, zonal and woreda levels.

Is GTZ technical assistance long term and on what scale is it?
We are presently in the first phase of the program until December 2008. Extension is foreseen up to 2015. The apple project is a good example of how to use the potential of natural resources in Ethiopia. The SUN program focuses mainly on watershed development, conservation of soil and water resources through physical and biological watershed treatment, capacity building both for government experts, land users communities and the private sectors and policy advisory services. As a technical person, I see a great potential of intensification of agricultural production in all regions of the country. Apple production is one element. On the other hand, it is important to protect natural resources endangered by erosion or misuse to secure productivity.

Why do you think apple orchards have not succeeded before?
I think nobody gave it much thought. I know only of the apple activity in Chencha which I can say is successful. In any case, there is nothing complicated about this program. It’s possible for others to engage in apple production.

Any drawbacks you can think of?
The main challenges in the future are the management of orchards. For instance, the pruning process is at first a little difficult for the farmers. The farmers think the more branches they see, the more apples they can expect - which is not correct. In order to get the maximum harvest, it requires intensive care. We have not faced any serious plant diseases yet but in the future, we have to be careful in identifying them in time and tackle them. We want to use quality apple trees in Ethiopia so for that, we are planning to have partnership on seedling production with the private sector.

There seems to be high demand for such apple seedlings. Do you have plans to replace the importation with local production?
We have started apple seedling production in government nurseries. Yaamoka, for instance is a good example. We are also trying to work with the private sector in so called PPP, (public private partnership project). The Oromia government is working hard on making new technologies available and to implement the necessary measures for establishing a production capacity within the country that will finally be self-sufficient.