Home gardens make nutritious food accessible in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, where food production and diversity are scant, the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, in collaboration with district office of Agriculture and other stakeholders in Lemo (Hadya Zone, Central Ethiopia region) and Basona Worena district (North Shewa Zone, Amhara region), are implementing and demonstrating home garden intensification. This initiative aims to ensure food and nutrition security for smallholder farmers supported by the Mixed Farming System (MFS) initiative of the CGIAR.

In mid-2023, meetings with agricultural experts and community stakeholders planned a program to boost household food production and income. Vegetables, fruits, and poultry were chosen for focus. 60 smallholder farmers with suitable land and interest were selected, with emphasis on women’s participation. Field visits followed to educate these farmers about the intervention’s benefits.

Through a comprehensive approach, farmers received training, resources, and guidance to produce diverse vegetables, establish poultry farms, and plant fruit trees within their home gardens. They received 600 avocado and 300 apple seedlings, as well as various vegetable varieties. Additionally, 1320 two and three-month-old egg chickens and poultry feed were distributed. Development agents helped farmers construct poultry shelters before distributing the chickens. Farmers planted vegetable seedlings in backyard plots ranging from 100m² to 300m² and are currently harvesting vegetables for consumption. With ongoing support and monitoring, farmers achieved higher chicken survival rates and began collecting eggs. Furthermore, it was noted that women play a significant role in managing vegetable and poultry production and making decisions regarding product usage. Planting fruit tree seedlings in backyard plots allows for better management practices such as watering, pruning, hoeing, and mulching. Ensuring that the planted fruit trees are thriving with a high survival rate.

The early monitoring and evaluation of the home garden work implemented by each selected farmer has confirmed that intensifying home gardens is a promising strategy to alleviate food and nutrition deficiencies among smallholder farmers. The interventions have already begun to positively impact the lives of those involved. Ms. Tiruye Tadese, a beneficiary, and a role model farmer from Abamote kebele in Basona Worena district, noted that she has begun harvesting green leafy vegetables and collecting eggs to feed her family. “I am observing the impact of home garden intensification on our livelihoods. I am pleased, what more can I ask for?”, Tiruye remarked.

The swift yield from these interventions has gained interest among beneficiary farmers and their peers, motivating them to expand production to generate income by selling surplus products. This demonstration could help scale up home garden intensification to thousands of smallholder farmers over the target kebels. Through collaboration with local partners, the team has identified 30 model farmers who serve as role models, leading their communities towards food security and improved nutrition. In 2024, the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT has a plan to engage more farmers in other kebels to further promote the value and significance of home gardens and thoroughly assess the progress made in 2023, exploring market opportunities to sell their products locally.

Header image: A woman harvesting green vegetables from her home garden field at Shurmu kebele, Lemo District. Photo by Fikadu Tesema/ILRI

Authors: Mohammed Ebrahim, Getachew Tesfaye, Lulseged Tamene, Anteneh Birhanu, Fikadu Tesema, Temesgen Alene, Amsalu Tilaye, Tewodros Abebe, Haimanot Seifu

References: https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/making-nutritious-food-accessible-a-multifunctional-approach-to-food-and-nutrition-security-in-ethiopias-home-gardens/

CGIAR Centers:

CGIAR Centers contributing to this result: Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT (primary); International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

 Partners

Lemo district office of Agriculture, Hadya Zone, Central Ethiopia region, Basona Worena district office of Agriculture, North Shewa Zone, Amhara region