On 29 May 2023, facilities established under the Pro-Environment Market-oriented Agriculture Promotion Project (PREMAP-I) funded by the Japanese Government were inaugurated at the Turge Galo Farmers’ Training Center (FTC) in the Negele Arsi District of the Oromia region. The FTC will establish community variety plots that enable farmers to learn about new varieties and good agricultural practices. Among the facilities provided are training and exhibition rooms, a greenhouse, and a water pond equipped with AI-powered IoT solutions, solar-powered water pumps, drip irrigation kits, and agricultural tools. The project has also facilitated rainwater harvesting and year-round vegetable production for local farmers.

Water pond equipped with solar-powered water pumps

Attended by significant dignitaries, the inauguration and handing-over ceremony featured speeches from Japanese ambassador H.E. Ito Takako, Mrs. Yenenesh Egu, Lead Executive for Crops and Horticulture Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Dr. Amina Abdurhaman, Deputy Head of the Oromia Region Agriculture Bureau. Community leaders, SAA staff, and local farmers also participated.

Ambassador Ito emphasized the importance of global food security, quoting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's remarks at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. She expressed her hope that the project will improve agricultural productivity in Oromia and Amhara Regions, as well as the health and well-being of local farmers, wishing that this project will be a cornerstone in Japan's development policies toward food security. She further acknowledged the longstanding diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Japan, underlining the support of the Japanese government for development projects in Ethiopia.

Ms. Yenenesh Egu, Lead Executive for Crops and Horticulture Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture 

Mrs. Yenenesh stressed the sustainability of the initiative, saying, "This initiative needs to ensure continuity of service for the farming community." Dr. Amina Abdurhaman urged the local community to leverage the project's achievements and learn from them, pointing out the unique opportunities for the local population, particularly in potato production.

 Dr. Amina Abdurhaman, Deputy Head of the Oromia Region Agriculture Bureau

In his speech, Dr. Fentahun stated that “The Japanese government needs to be well recognized for funding the project. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of the project, it has to be empasized that the extension professionals in the district should provide the required regular extension service to the community in a timely and coordinated manner by closely monitoring the activities in a joint approach and supervise the interventions with commitment as the FTC is their own property from now onwards.”

Dr. Fentahun Mengistu, SAA-Ethiopia Country Director 

These facilities will be expected to support various agricultural activities and serve the communities of 6,174 people in Turge Galo Kebele. The event was concluded with a handover ceremony of the facilities from SAA to the district. Additional projects funded by the MoFA, aiming to support farmers and build the capacities of FTCs, are currently underway in three other locations: Beraqat Kebele in Amhara, Raya Boda Kebele in Oromia, and Bullessa Kebele in Sidama regions.

Handover ceremony