For years, for small-scale farmers like Abdu Seid, farming was a constant struggle. The river in their village borders with other local villages, and they have to use the water fairly by dividing days of irrigation within a week period. The crops often lacked sufficient water, and as a result, they did not grow well. Most of them failed midway through their growth, leaving little to harvest and even less to sustain a family.
Getting enough water for their farm is a grave concern, and he and his friends need another option to get better production. The water needs to be there in their field, but they don’t think of any options until Kelem Ethiopia and its partners arrive in their village with a life-changing solution.
Abdu lives in Agerchore village in Tehuledere Woreda of the South wollo Zone. He has four family members. Before he started his own family, he had nothing at hand but only a bull.
“Previously, we did not see much improvement in our harvest,” the farmer recalls. “Our crops did not receive enough water and mostly failed in the middle of their growth.”
Everything began to change when he, with his team, received a water pump from Kelem Ethiopia three years ago. Mostly, Ethiopian agriculture is dependent on rainfall, and harvest is done once a year. Realizing this fact, Kelem Ethiopia supported 669 small-scale farmers with water pumps to increase their yield and income as well.
“I have gained a significant change in my life after the water pump support,” Abdu explained. The pump support enables his team to fetch water to their field.
With better resources and consistent care, his farm has started to transform. He starts to grow onions, potatoes, and red pepper. “I am using the water pumps during water shortage seasons, like in May and June. Now, I can harvest three times a year, which enables me to get additional quintals of production. For instance, I harvested 25 to 40 quintals of potato in previous times, but the production is increased to 68 quintals now.”
The crops are now healthier, stronger, and more productive. For the first time in years, the harvest is not only stable, but it is also exceeding expectations.
“I bought a cow and a bull.”
“I am getting more than I expected; my yield increased,” he shares with a smile. “I have sown an onion and sold 110 ET Birr per kilo. And I bought a cow and a bull.”
Encouraged by this progress, he is already planning ahead. “Soon, I will sow onions,” he adds, looking forward to diversifying his production and increasing his income.
His success encouraged him to expand his farming activities by partnering with neighboring farmers. Using the water pump, he cultivated land belonging to six smallholder farmers and shared the profits with them, creating benefits for both himself and the wider community.
Expanding the outcomes of water pumps
The outcome of the water pump support did not end its impact among Abdu’s team members. The villagers saw their progress and were encouraged to buy their own water pump.
“In our village only, 8 or 9 farmers bought their own water pump, seeing the results we achieved due to the pumps.” Seeing is believing! The small farmers in Agerchore village understand the importance of water pumps, and they decided to use them as well.
This story reflects more than one farmer’s success; it demonstrates how targeted agricultural support can restore livelihoods, build resilience, and create sustainable change for rural communities.
Farmer Abdu concludes his heartfelt thanks to Kelem Ethiopia and its partners, #Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ), #TERRA Projekte International e.V,, #Aktion Deutschland Hilft, for the support that changes their lives.
Author: Hassina Ousman
