Pastoralists who have voluntarily resettled in fertile areas of Filtu Wereda, Somali Regional State, have engaged in irrigation development to ensure food security, according to the wereda administration. The pastoralists have already begun developing 10,000ht of land through irrigation, according to Oumer Mohammed, wereda chief. The government provided 240 water pumping machines, 24 farm animals, and tools to 1,600 households, the chief said. The pastoralists will cultivate haricot beans, sorghum, onions, cabbage, and tomatoes on over 3,000ht, he said.
 

 

Southern Region Rewards Farmers for Effirts Against Poverty

The Southern Regional State has rewarded 382 model farmers for their notable contributions in the fight against poverty, in the fifth award ceremony of its kind. The prizes would contribute to fostering a positive competitive spirit among farmers and improve agricultural productivity, according to Hailemariam Desalegn, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, who handed out medals and certificates to the farmers.
 

Manna Secures 178.2m Br from Coffee

A total of 178.2 million Br has been secured from the sale of coffee that was supplied to the central market in Manna Wereda of Jimma Zone, Oromia Regional State, over the past seven months, according to the wereda agriculture and rural development office. The stated amount was secured from the sale of 44,149ql of coffee, according to Deflebin Husein, coffee quality expert of the office. The office is working aggressively to supply over 80,000ql of coffee to the market this fiscal year, he said.
 

Coffee Museum for Kaffa Zone

Bonga Town of Kaffa Zone, Southern Regional State, is to have a national coffee museum to be built at an estimated cost of 27 million Br. The project, which features a coffee quality research centre, exhibition and meeting halls, as well as a cafeteria, commenced construction three years ago. Of the construction, 70pc has been completed, according to Assefa G. Mariam, owner of cultural research and development of the zonal Culture, Tourism, and Government Communications Affairs Department. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year, according to Assefa. The project, which is set to become the first of its kind for the zone, is funded through contributions from the society and the zone administration.


 

Kaffa Licenses Investors with 87m Br

Over the past six months, seven investors with an aggregate capital of over 87 million Br have received licences to engage in various investment activities in Kaffa Zone, Southern Regional State, according to the zonal trade and industry department. The investors are engaged in the agriculture, industry, and service providing sectors, according to Woldegebriel Aragu, investment promotion expert of the department. Upon going fully operational, the projects will create over 1,000 permanent and temporary jobs.
 
 

Degehabur Dev’t Projects Underway

The implementation of 27 projects to help ensure the development benefits of residents of Degehabur Wereda, Somali Regional State, is progressing well, according to the wereda administration. The projects include education, health, and potable water facilities, as well as youth recreation centres, according to Mohameed Abdi Hassen, wereda administrator. Out of the total, seven projects have already been finalised, while the remaining will be completed by the end of the fiscal year, Mohameed said. In addition to the labour contribution, residents of the wereda have received over 430,000 Br in support of the implementation of the development projects, he said. 
 

Hawassa Graduates 570 Healthcare Pros

The Hawassa Health Science College, in Southern Regional State, has graduated more than 570 health professionals with diplomas upon their completion of a three-year training. Out of the total, 290 graduates are women, according to Qeqebo Debaqo, college dean. The students are trained in various fields, including clinical and public nursing as well as midwifery. Diplomas were handed out to the graduates and awards to outstanding students by Qare Chawecha, head of the regional health bureau.
 

Investors Put 20m Br into North Wollo

Investors worth over 20 million Br in combined capital have been engaged in the agriculture sector in Raya Qobo Wereda in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, according to the wereda Trade and Industry Office. The investors have been engaged in crops and fruit and vegetable development as well as animal fattening on 350ht since the previous fiscal year, said Abdu Mengesha, trade and investment expert of the office. The projects have created many jobs for people in the wereda, he said. An additional 1,800ht of land has been allotted for agriculture.

Embassy to Inaugurate Chancery, Residence

The Ethiopian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan is going to inaugurate a complex built with an outlay of over 80 million Br. The Ethiopian Government decided to create an asset in Sudan by constructing a chancery and embassy residence building, according to Ali Abdo, Ethiopia's ambassador to Sudan. The complex will also undergo a facelift.