Project description

Title: Ethio-German Agricultural Training Center (ATC)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV)
Country: Ethiopia
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
Overall term: 2010 to 2014

Context

Agriculture is Ethiopia’s most important economic sector, employing some 85 per cent of the population. Yet Ethiopia is a net importer of food. There are many different reasons for this. Access to modern technologies and equipment is restricted and cultivation techniques are outdated. The average yields of the main food crops are far from optimal and natural resources are degraded because unsuitable agricultural production techniques and inappropriate equipment are used. Practical and advanced formal training for farmers in the use of machinery and farm management is virtually non-existent. While some larger farms are mechanised, most of the machinery is obsolete and in very poor condition.

In addition, the Ethiopian government has earmarked large areas, mainly in the west of the country, for private investors. Here, huge investments are currently being made in the field of agricultural mechanisation, but their success is jeopardised by a lack of qualified experts.

Objective

Modern and sustainable agricultural production methods and an improved approach to farm management are increasingly being applied on Ethiopian farms, which will significantly increase cereal and potato yields.

Approach

In the context of an economic cooperation project, an Ethio-German Agricultural Training Center (ATC) will be set up at the state-run Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center. Companies from the German agricultural and food sectors will provide the ATC with modern agricultural machinery and help provide practical training with expert instructors. The following companies are involved: AGCO (tractors and combine harvesters), LEMKEN (soil cultivation and plant protection equipment), GRIMME (potato cultivation and harvesting technology), RAUCH (fertiliser spreading technology), BEINLICH (sprinkler systems), EUROPLANT (improved potato varieties), BAYER (crop protection) and PETKUS (seed preparation).

At the ATC, Ethiopian experts are trained in modern, sustainable production methods and to use and repair machines. The training is targeted at farm managers and administrators, agro-service enterprises, machine operators and agricultural specialists in state-run and private companies as well as specialist teachers from technical training institutions. The ATC takes a holistic, integrated approach. That means that as well as teaching students about mechanised plant production, it also provides a general understanding of the systems for maintaining soil fertility, crop protection, irrigation and animal feed cultivation. In addition, the courses teach students about business administration, with subjects such as business start-ups, management and marketing.

Initial contact has been established with important participants in the public and private sectors. Training courses have also been held. A field demonstration area has been set up in Kulumsa using existing funds.