SAA-Ethiopia is implementing the Pro-environment Market-oriented Agriculture Promotion Project (PREMAP) in Berakat Kebele, North Mecha district of Amhara region, and Turge Galo Kebele, Negele Arsi district of Oromia region, with funding from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of Farmer Training Centers (FTCs), increase household income, and improve the nutritional status of smallholder farmers. The project has two phases: PREMAP-I and PREMAP-II.

PREMAP-I focuses on providing basic training and demonstration facilities to two Farmers Training Centers (FTCs), as well as solar-powered digital facilities (smartphones and PCs), e-kakashi and post-harvest machinery. It also assists farmers in gaining access to water through water harvesting and/or hand-dug wells and solar pumps for year-round vegetable production.

Most construction and facilities are nearly complete, and surrounding farmers have received 50 solar-powered water pumps and 20 drip irrigation kits. Furthermore, a series of capacity-building training on permagardening were provided to  21 (5 female) Extension Agents (EAs) and 1,320 (65 female) smallholder farmers.

The PREMAP-II project begins in April 2023, with an expansion to Bullessa Kebele in the Aleta Wondo District of the Sidama region to impact coffee growing areas and the higher altitude areas of Raya Boda Kebele in the Ana Sora District of the Oromia region. Beyond capacitating two FTCs, the project will support small-scale farmers, particularly women, in growing their farming businesses.