Africa RISING is implementing research and scaling initiatives in Ethiopia to improve crop varieties, livestock feed, and watershed management. This involves action research, demonstration of validated technologies, and seed multiplication. In Tigray, projects include introducing fodder production, multiplying improved barley and bean varieties, and demonstrating feeding troughs. Apple farming and biomass production are also benefiting farmers. Africa RISING works with local universities, research organizations, government offices, NGOs, and private sector partners to conduct this research and scaling work.

1. Photo report on Africa RISING research for
development and scaling initiatives field visit
in Tigray, Ethiopia
15–16 October 2018

2. Introduction
Africa RISING in the Ethiopian highlands has started implementing the second
phase program since October 2016. During the second year (2018), the project
managed to conduct action research through research for development (R4D)
approach and scaling activities with strong development partnership. The R4D
activities are mainly on livestock feed resources, improved crop varieties,
watershed management, fertilizer studies and small mechanization. The scaling
work focused mainly on demonstration of crop, livestock and natural resources
management (NRM) validated innovations/technologies, seed multiplication and
facilitating dissemination to reach more areas and farmers.

3. This farmer has allocated a portion of his land for forage (oat-vetch and fodder beet)
production. The attitude of many farmers has been positively changed on land
allocation for feed and forage production.

4. Phalaris grass multiplication is initiated in Endamehoni Africa RISING site, which will be
used for 2018 wider scaling. Multiplication is taking place on a contractual basis in one
of the Africa RISING farmer plot and at the farmers training centre. Phalaris is palatable
and produce high biomass.

5. Hulf Tomay, a farmer in Tsibet kebele, collecting weeds from his field to feed his
livestock. This green feed contributes to fill livestock feed gaps during the main
cropping season.

6. Africa RISING validated oat-vetch and
feeding trough innovations are
getting acceptance in different
woredas of Tigray region. The farmer
training centre in Mehane kebele
demonstrated oat-vetch mixture and
constructed feeding trough to feed
improved dairy cows. This has
become a very good demonstration
area for those who are engaged in
animal fattening business.

7. Africa RISING facilitated seed
production on 8 ha of land owned
by 36 farmers following cluster
approaches in malt barley seed
multiplication in Iba kebele,
Ambalagie woreda. This eboni malt
barley variety has attracted the
Raya beer factory and high officials
in Tigray. The seed from 2018 will
be distributed to more farmers on
seed revolving arrangements for
the 2019 cropping season.
Farmers and the Raya beer factory
will benefit from the improved malt
barley variety. This year, the malt
barley seed multiplication fields in
Endamehoni and Ambalagie served
as benchmark site to demonstrate
to Africa RISING local partners in
Tigray region.

8. Africa RISING facilitated faba bean
community seed multiplication in
Emba Hazti kebele. This variety is
multiplied on 5 ha of land. Seven
farmers are clustered and received
starter seed from Africa RISING on a
revolving seed supply arrangements.
The seed from this season will be
collected and distributed to more
farmers on the same arrangement
for the 2019 cropping season.

9. Africa RISING has introduced Field pea
variety in Emba Hazti Kebele. This
variety is planted as community seed
multiplication on 2 ha of land that is
owned by 3 female and 4 male headed
households.
The field pea variety is highly preferred
by the farmers because of its
performance, pod size and number of
seeds per pod. Biomass from this
variety has also attracted farmers. The
haulm is one of the protein rich feed
sources for livestock feed.

10. Linseed varieties introduced by Africa RISING as participatory varietal selection (PVS)
scheme (right side of photo) and farmers varieties (left side of photo) in Emba Hazti.
Linseed is a cash crop for farmers in different Africa RISING sites.

11. Behafta Mersa has been testing different Africa RISING technologies since 2013. She
participated in cereal, legume and tuber crops varietal selection, community seed
production, and feed and forage interventions. In 2017 she participated in malt barley
varietal demonstration. She is very happy working with Africa RISING.

12. Mohamed Ibrahim, Africa RISING site coordinator in Tigray region, demonstrating
bread wheat seed multiplication in Tsibet Africa RISING research site, Endamehoni. A
total of 6 men and 8 women farmers clustered and planted the variety on 2 ha of
land. The crop looks healthy and productive.

13. Mersa Asgodom, Africa RISING farmer in Tsibet research Kebele, is engaged in apple
farming as of 2014. Africa RISING provided 10 grafted seedlings. All the seedlings
survived and benefitted him in various ways. He is one of the successful farmers in
managing the improved apple varieties. He has already sold apple fruits and earned
USD150. He has prepared additional land to plant more apple seedlings.

14. Sensio gigas (yeshkoko gomen), is a potential plant species for biomass transfer and
preparation of compost to improve soil fertility. The plant is abundant in Tsibet and
Emba Hazti Kebeles. Its biomass is rich in potassium. The plant is called scavenger. It
pumps potassium from the soil layer and recycles it through its leaves, stems and roots.

15. Farmers in Africa RISING sites are generous and friendly to the Africa RISING
team. A woman farmer in Emba Hazti is kindly sharing freshly baked bread
with the team and enjoying the bread together.

16. Africa RISING CGIAR partners in Ethiopia

17. Africa RISING local partners in Ethiopia
Academic institutions:
– Wachemo, Mekelle, Madawolabu, Debre Berhan and Hawassa universities; Maichew
Agricultural College
Regional research organizations:
– Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Southern Agricultural Research Institute,
Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute
Offices of Agriculture:
– Endamehonei (Tigray), Basona Worena (Amhara), Lemo (SNNRP) and Sinana (Oromia)
Federal research organizations:
– Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research, Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research
Institute and Agricultural Transformation Agency
Non government organizations/projects:
– - inter Aide France, Send a Cow, Ethiopian Catholic Church World Vision, GRAD/REST,
Hundie
Private sector:
– Oromia Seed Enterprise , Fuji Integrated farm, Raya,Dashen and Habesha Breweries
Innovation Laboratories
– SIIL- Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab, and ILSSI- Innovation Lab for Small-scale
Irrigation

18. Credits
Produced by Africa RISING Project in Ethiopia
Compiled by Kindu Mekonnen (ILRI)
Photos: Kindu Mekonnen
Our appreciation goes to the site coordinator and his team,
CGIAR team members, and local partner organizations
including farmers, in Africa RISING project site in
Endamehoni and scaling zones Tigray.

19. Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation
africa-rising.net
This presentation is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.