Restoring dignity and livelihoods to war-affected farmers in Tigray

Above: Likehuruyan with his chickpea seeds. Photo: Plan International

Before the outbreak of war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, 66-year-old Likehuruyan was a capable farmer, using new technologies like fertiliser and improved seeds to cultivate his one-hectare farm, which was also home to two oxen, two milking cows, 15 sheep and goats, poultry and a donkey. He and his seven family members were living a good and happy life, and were able to meet their own food needs.

But their land and home was looted in the war, leaving him without his animals or other farming assets. Drought reduced his farming yield, and he was unable to obtain enough seeds to use his land to the fullest, with 0.25 hectares remaining bare.

The family quickly became dependent on aid from relatives and humanitarian agencies.         

Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) food security response in Ethiopia, implemented by Plan International, Likehuruyan was able to access 30kg of drought tolerant and short maturing chickpea crop seeds. Through careful tending of the crop, as well as technical advice from government and regional agricultural experts, he was able to yield enough chickpeas to feed his family for a month.

“Thanks to the AHP project for creating for me this opportunity of engaging on chickpea support to cover my 0.25ha of unsown farmland by providing 30kg chickpea seed. I harvested 2.5 quintal yield. I am filled with satisfaction that I covered one month food for my family, and I have developed good confidence,” Likehuruyan said.

Above: Zewdu with her cow. Photo: Plan International

For 41-year-old Zewdu, also pushed into crisis after her assets were looted in the war, multipurpose cash support through the AHP response has supported her basic needs and enabled her to purchase a dairy cow. The cow is now pregnant, and she also plans to buy an ox to help cultivate her land. Through technical support, she has also gained access to soil fertility improvement techniques using cow manure to increase crop production, building on her existing farming knowledge.

“We're grateful for the support of poor women headed households,” Zewdu said.

Above: Azmera with her shoats. Photo: Plan International

44-year-old Azmera had her home occupied by Eritrean troops during the war, pushing her and her four children out. They have now been able to return home, but her belongings were looted or destroyed. Before the war, she supported her family by selling drinks, tea and bread.

Through the response, Azmera received four shoat (a sheep and goat hybrid), along with agricultural and business training. Her flock of four shoat has now doubled to eight, and she has also resumed making and selling tella, a homebrewed traditional beer, using the byproducts to feed her animals.

Her future plans include continuing shoat reproduction, engaging in fattening and selling male sheep, starting to save through savings and credit cooperatives, constructing her own house, and eventually transitioning to dairy production.

“I am very happy and grateful to the project,” Azmera said.

The AHP food security response in Ethiopia ran for 12 months, supported by the Australian Government. A new response in Ethiopia is focusing on protection needs, including in the Tigray region.