Development Heroes of Millennium say honor bestowed on them will motivate other farmers

Award winning farmers from Arsi Zone of Oromia State said the honor given to them as Development Heroes of the Millennium will motivate others to follow their example. Among them, resident of Munisi Woreda, Hailegioris Geda, told WIC that the award would create competitive spirit and help farmers realize their dream of eradicating poverty. The farmer said he has secured 3.7 million birr, out of which he built a house with three million birr in Addis Ababa, and deposited the balance in a bank.
Another award winning farmer of the woreda, Reverend Melakegenet Tibebesellassie Nekatibeb said on his part that he earned 2.7 million birr worth asset from farming and animal husbandry. The priest engaged in crop production, diary development and animal husbandry owns a mill, articulated lorry, damp truck and a residential house in Adama town.
The honor given to diligent farmers would encourage everyone to work hard in their respective fields of work; he said and attributed his success to the support of woreda agricultural workers and development agents. Arsi Zone Inputs and Credit Service Team Leader, Hassen Adem, said the support of agricultural experts and development agents has contributed to the success of farmers. (WIC)
Over 45 million coffee seedlings to be nurtured in Jimma zone
Over 45 million coffee seedlings would be nursed in Jimma Zone of the Oromia State to be transplanted in the coming main rainy season, the zonal agriculture and rural development office said. Coffee and horticultural development expert with the office, Babur Damte told ENA recently that the coffee seedlings would be nurtured in private and governmental nursery sites.
The stated amount of coffee seedlings would be transplanted on over 10,000 hectares of land located in different parts of the zone. Some 106 hectares of land located in 11 woredas of the zone has already been covered with coffee, he said, adding some 12 hectares of land has been covered with coffee seedlings each year over the past four years. Over 300,000 coffee-growers in the zone are reaping up to 50,000 tons of coffee per annum, according to the expert. (ENA)

Foreign investors with over 19 billion birr capital licensed in less than half year

Foreign investors with more than 19 billion birr capital have been licensed during the past five months, according to the Ethiopian Investment Agency. Investment Promotion and Public Relations Department Director with the agency, Aklilu Woldemariam, told WIC today that the licenses were issued to 644 projects. He said the projects include manufacturing industries, construction and real estates, agriculture, hotels and tourism, education and health.
The number of projects licensed and amount of capital during the reported period have shown a dramatic increase as compared to same period of last fiscal year, the director pointed out. He attributed the increase to the conducive situation created for investors in the millennium and the relative stability of the micro economy of the country. Majority of the licensed investors were from Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America and Africa, according to the director. The projects would create jobs to 107,670 citizens, it was learnt. (WIC)

Coal mining companies to pay over 10mln birr compensation to farmers, offices in Dedo Woreda

Midroc Ethiopia and Ethio-Pas companies engaged in coal mining in Dedo Woreda of Jimma Zone have allotted more than 10 million birr compensation to those who will be displaced by the project, the woreda Information and Public Relations Office disclosed. Office Head Jemal Mudin Abamecha told WIC that the state government and the companies have reached agreement to pay compensation to 140 households of farmers and government offices that would be displaced by the project.
In addition to the financial compensation, land has also been prepared to resettle the farmers, he added. Midroc Ethiopia and Ethio-Pas companies have received 4,000 square meters and 1,000 square meters respectively for the coal mining project to be carried out with 400 million birr, it was indicated. The coal mining projects would open job opportunities to more than 2,000 residents of the localities, according to Jemal. (WIC)

Weeds causing significant production losses: Institute

Various weeds varieties are causing substantial losses of crop production by harming the productivity of the farmers, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research said. Addressing the 8th regular meeting of the Ethiopian Weed Science Society held here on Thursday, Institute Director General, and Dr. Solomon Assefa said weeds are the main agricultural problem that has devastating effect on productivity.
He said small farmers spend more than 40 % of their labor on picking out weeds. Dr. Solomon said the society has the responsibility to address the problem by giving professional advice and recommendations. He said weeds are still continued to make immense demand on human labor in the country.
The Director said the society is playing a significant role in the agriculture development. Society President Dr.Taye Tessema on his part said some varieties of weeds could be used for various purposes. Some weeds variety like “prosopis” in Oromia and Afar States could be used for building of houses, as firewood and fertilizers, he said. The Society awarded on the occasion a trophy to Professor Gebissa Ejeta for his invention of a new variety of Sorghum that resists “Striga “weed.
Farmers using the new Sorghum are benefiting a lot, he said. The Society is striving to provide professional solution to eliminate weeds, he said. Some 25 research papers related to weeds and agricultural issues are expected to be tabled for discussion in the two- day conference. (ENA)

Micro, small-scale enterprises of Mekelle town obtain over 27mln birr loan

Micro and small-scale enterprises in Mekelle town secured more than 27 million birr loan during the past five months, the town Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Promotion Office disclosed. Office Trade Development Team Leader, Aynalem Gebreyesus, told WIC that the beneficiaries obtained the loan from Dedebit Credit and Savings Institute. As a result over 3,850 people were able to get jobs, the team leader said, adding that reinforcements were also provided for more than 3,450 existing beneficiaries.
He further indicated that over 6,200 people have received training in business management, information and counseling as well as stone carving, and added that efforts are also underway to utilize the rich stone resources in Mekelle town and the environs by training more people as stonemasons. Projects were directly given to 31 associations engaged in construction, electricity, metal and wood works, sanitation and recreation by the Mekelle town municipality, he added. (Walta)