Addis Zemen Newspaper
March 16, 2009
To link to original Amharic article, click here.

There is a plan to expand the jatropha development on 1,500 ha of land.

According to Ehre Kebode, Bati woreda administrator, “The multi-sector development activities accomplished by ORDA and CHF are successful in our woreda.” He added, “The coordinated planning done by both ORDA and CHF in line with the regional development plan makes the process unique.”

The administrator added that, “The project has benefited 47, 000 people in woreda. We have seen tangible evidence that shows that the production and the productivity of the kebeles has increased.”

The administrator of the woreda added, “Jatropha introduced by the project has become an income generating source for the community. Over 300 qt of jatropha seeds were sold to communities outside the project and we have a request from a investor for over 100 qt of jatropha seed at a 15% increase from the normal price.”

Tony Breuer, Executive Director of CHF, said on his part, “Thanks to the financial support we get from our donor CIDA, the activities we carry out with our implementing partner ORDA are in the line with the government’s food security policy. We are seeing tangible positive change on farmers' lives."