Kelem Ethiopia’s Initiative to Enhance Livelihood Opportunities and Transform Rural Farmers’ Lives
Aragaw Kebede Seid, lives in Ancharo 08 Kebele, Kallu Woreda, in the Amhara Region, with his wife and two children. Aragaw’s primary livelihood comes from the exhausting work of loading and unloading camels and transporting goods between his local village to the nearest business town on foot.
Despite his unwavering dedication to providing for his family, his work is unpredictable and exhausting. With his wife as a homemaker and no additional income sources, the family relies solely on Aragaw’s irregular earnings.
Despite his hard work, Aragaw’s irregular income makes it difficult to cover his family’s basic needs. The uncertainty of his work, combined with the sense of inferiority and frustration from unfulfilled aspirations, has made his life challenging. Yet, his determination to create a better future for his family remains constant, despite the obstacles he faces each day.
A Life-Changing Moment for Aragaw
Aragaw’s routine changed when he was chosen to receive our support. A key component of the Livelihood Creation and Diversification (LCD) project is animal restocking, which enables rural poor farmers to build assets and secure sustainable income.
At first he received training, and then he secured 3 goats as a start-up business, which was later restocked for other people in his village. Kelem Ethiopia purchased the goats, provided training, and managed the process, while government officials offered technical support, addressed livestock challenges, and monitored the transfer (restocking) process.
Aragaw saw the livestock support as a chance to improve his life. Although he lost one goat early on, he quickly replaced it and built his herd back to three mother goats. His herd began to increase.
Now, he has a total of eleven goats, one of which is pregnant. Based on current market prices, the total value of his herd is now 130,000 ETB.
With having more goats, he collects over 60 kg of manure compost, enough for 0.75 hectares of his land. This is expected to boost cereal yields from 700 kg to about 1000 kg on the same area.
This increase in productivity resulted in a higher income, with the value of the harvested cereals rising from 27,000 to 29,000 ETB. This highlights the immense and multifaceted value of the goats to his life—not only through the livestock itself but also by improving agricultural productivity and enhancing his overall income.
“It’s not just about improving their assets; it transforms their mind-set.” Neima Seid, Agricultural officer
Neima Seid is an agricultural officer of Ancharo 08 Kebele. She explained that the LCD project’s impact goes beyond asset creation. She emphasized that the project provides immense support, and the joy and gratitude of the beneficiaries upon receiving help are indescribable.
It’s not just about improving their assets; it transforms their mind-set, boosting their attitude and commitment to work, which ultimately changes their lives. I’ve witnessed relentless dedication, even in the face of challenges like losing a goat. Now, many have started seeing remarkable changes—those who once had no livestock now have six or even eight goats. It’s inspiring to see how this support is making a real difference,” said Neima Seid.
Attracting Villagers with LCD Results
It’s not easy to show impact without relentless effort, but for Aragaw, his transformation speaks for itself. He shared that the LCD project has truly changed his life, saying, “People are talking about the transformation I’ve gone through—from having nothing to achieving something meaningful.” Aragaw suggests hosting events where beneficiaries can share their success stories, recognize outstanding progress, and provide medical support for livestock would be significant to safeguard overall achievements.
Renewed Hope for Greater Growth
Aragaw Kebede’s story highlights how the LCD project transformed his life—from unstable earnings to growing assets and improved productivity. With livestock support and training from Kelem Ethiopia, his family gained financial stability, and his wife began contributing to their income, opening doors to new opportunities.
Aragaw aspires to expand into camel breeding with the support from an interest-free loan. His journey of resilience and hard work shows how opportunity and resources can turn dreams into reality, inspiring others to pursue their goals.
Thanks to the support from #BMZ (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung), #TERRATECH Förderprojekte e.V., and #AktionDeutschlandHilft, Kelem Ethiopia has supported 742 poor farmers by providing ewes and does (mother sheep and goats) in three rounds, helping them secure sustainable livelihoods and build a better future through our Livelihood Creation and Diversification (LCD) project.
Author- Mohammednur Gashaw Ali
