Farmers union purchases fertilizer with 132 Million Birr

The Lume Adama Farmers Union disclosed that it has procured fertilizer with 132 million birr. Union General Manager, Demere Demisse, told WIC that the union has bought 25,000 metric tons of Urea from a Libyan-based company. Preparations are currently underway to transport the fertilizer from the port of Djibouti to the hinterland early next month and distribute it ahead of beleg and meher seasons, he said. The fertilizer procured with 132 million birr loan obtained from Commercial Bank of Ethiopia would be distributed to farmers in Bale, Arsi and West Arsi, East Harrarghe, West Harrarghe and East Shoa zones.
The union has also been distributing 90,000 metric tons of fertilizer to farmers engaged in irrigation development and beleg farming, Metehara and Wonji Shao Sugar factories and associations at a reasonable price, according to the General Manager. Leaders, workers and members of the union have been working vigorously to enhance the productivity of farmers and alleviate poverty as the award given to the union at state and national levels has boosted their moral, he pointed out. (Walta)

Investors with close to 3 Billion Birr capital licensed In East Shoa Zone

Entrepreneurs with over 2.9 billion birr capital have been licensed in East Shoa Zone of Oromia State during the past six months, according to the zonal Investment Office. Office Head, Kefyalew Tulu, told WIC that the investors would engage in agriculture, service delivery, trade and industry sectors.
On going fully operational, the projects would create jobs to 35,234 people, he said, adding that 30 percent growth in capital has been registered in the stated period as compared to same period last budget year. (Walta)

AGRA commits 180 million USD to revive depleted soils of small-scale farmers

Determined to revive the grossly depleted soils of sub-Saharan Africa, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) a launched a 180 million USD five-year program to restore the fertility of Africa's soils in Nairobi. "AGRA's Soil Health Program will breathe new life into soils where rapid nutrient loss is sapping the ability of farmlands to sustain crops," said Dr. Namanga Ngongi, President of AGRA.
"This will improve the sustainability of small-scale farms, raise the yield and income of poor farmers, most of whom are women, and help protect the natural resource base of soil and water." The program aims to work with 4.1 million farmers and regenerate 6.3 million hectares of farm land through a balanced approach to improved soil management. Initial funding for the Program comes from a 164.5 million USD grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 15 million USD from the Rockefeller Foundation.
"African governments are leading the way on efforts to solve the major food challenges facing the continent," Ngongi said. "Their plan, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), sets out a bold target for achieving six percent annual growth rates in agriculture. Addressing the serious soil fertility problems facing African farmers is critical to obtaining this goal."
Improving soil health also is a fundamental element of AGRA's commitment to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families overcome poverty by working across the agricultural value chain to boost farm yield and incomes. The Soil Health Program is one part of a comprehensive approach that addresses issues from seeds and water to markets, agricultural education, and policy. In particular, soil regeneration will complement AGRA's Seeds Program and help small-scale farmers make full use of new high-yielding varieties of Africa's staple food crops. (ENA)

Over 9 mln Birr Safety Net program underway in east Shoa zone

More than 9.3 million birr has been allocated to consolidate the ongoing safety net program in East Shoa Zone of Oromia State, the zonal Food Security, Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Office disclosed. Office Head, Chanyalew Hordofa, told WIC that the development works underway through the safety net program include irrigation, soil and water conservation, and construction of roads, farmers training centers, health posts and schools.
In addition to the finance allocated, over 1.6 million metric tones of food will be utilized to execute the development works, he said. More than 67,000 poor farmers have been participating in the program, of which 6,247 have become food self-sufficient, according to the head. The World Bank, European Union and the government provided financial and material support for the program, it was learnt. (Walta)

Close to 67 mln birr dev't projects underway in East Wollega Zone

Some 213 development projects have been executed with close to 67 million birr in East Wollega Zone, the zonal Finance and Economic Development Department said. Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Affairs Expert with the Department, Olani Beyene, told WIC today that the projects focus on health, education, potable water, rural road, agriculture and rural development.
The state government and donors allotted finance for the projects, he said. Upon completion by the end of the budget year, the projects would benefit 1.5 million inhabitants, it was indicated. (Walta)

State collects over 240 million Birr in revenue

The Amhara State collected over 240 million Birr in revenue during the past six months, the State's Revenue Authority said. The regional government secured the stated amount of revenue collected from various sources, public relations service acting head with the authority, Zelalem Bayih told ENA on Tuesday. The revenue collected during the reported period exceeded the amount of revenue secured during the previous year of the same period by 52 million Birr, he said. The head attributed the success to provision of up-to-date information to tax payers and to efficient system of tax collection system across the region.
The Authority has plans to collect 445 million Birr in revenue during the current Ethiopian fiscal year. He recalled that the authority had collected 405 million Birr in revenue from various sources during previous fiscal year. (ENA)

MoTC awards Nori-la a dry port construction project

Ministry of Transport and Communications awards Nori-la Engineering Construction, an Ethio-China private joint venture company, the project to construct a dry port. The two parties singed an agreement on January 29, 2008. The dry port is to be constructed at a site near Mojjo, about 70-km to the east of Addis Ababa. The constructions cost is estimated 20 million ETB. The future inland intermodal terminal comprises storage, depot, and container maintenance and customs clearance as well as banking and insurance services.
Juneidi Sado, Minster of Ministry of Transport and Communications and Wang Dongwei, Deputy General Manager of Nori-la Engineering Construction signed the agreement. The agreement provides for the Mojjo dry port construction to be carried out on a 61.33 hectare site. The construction is due to be completed in July 2008. Juneidi urged Nori-la to complete the construction according to agreed timetable. (ENA)