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Country report at the Workshop in Uganda 2002 |
presented by Mr. Asfaw Tihune; NECOFA country representative
NECOFA, four years old since its establishment in Ethiopia, is a young organization. Two years have elapsed since we have physically met at Bamenda, Cameroon. During these years much water has flown across the bridge. The concept sustainable development especially ECOFARMING, even if under different names, is widely propagated worldwide. NECOFA, the International and NECOFA branches have become popular in their home countries and abroad, at least nominally. The banner of NECOFA has become Global issue, the Johannesburg Summit being the climax. The greatest of concerns in this respect is proved to be that of the poor countries whose majority is the homeland of NECOFA. Africa is crying for ecofarming. The caravan is moving and the dogs also are barking. The ghost of poverty, the fire of desertification, the teeth of famine, the scope of war are all widening and strengthening than ever in Africa. And yet the Africans are over loaded with the homework of struggling all these evil natural and man made problems. NECOFA, with its young age, is confronted with all these problems. This follow-up seminar of NECOFA, under the title "Strategies of promoting Ecofariming in Africa " is expected to be of qualitatively different from the previous two seminars in its objectives and out puts.
In 1988 in the process of establishing NECOFA, the participants met a strong resistance from the Ethiopian group. This group, which was large in number, could not only agree in the establishment of the network but also was not convinced on the realization of the concept. Even more, the hosting government institution was not much cooperative in conducting our first International workshop. The first National workshop, which was organized by NECOFA-Ethiopia, too, faced much resistance and obstacles both from some establishing members and government officials. At that time Eco-farming was a misunderstood concept. A concept which was negatively implicated by the shadow of a wrong agricultural vision.
Ethiopia, in this direction is in the process of change. All national and international, natural and man-made condition and problems have forced us to rethink our strategies of rural development. Intensive activities are underway to improve development directions of the country. Radical measures have been taken to empower the rural population by decentralizing political power. The decision making right is no more a-top-down approach. Initiative for development planning is left to the local governments, of course with budgeting authority, at district and village levels. The issues of natural resource management, environmental protection and sustainable development have become the concern of the country. The utilization of indigenous farming technologies, the promotion of agricultural products, and the practice of site appropriate agriculture are all high sounding issues in Ethiopia now. Summed up, all these are nothing, but ECOFARMING.
A leap is made in this direction. The promotion and implementation of ecofarming now is not the slogan of NECOFA only, but is our common banner of Ethiopians (The people and the Government). If at all weaknesses encounter in promoting ecofarming in Ethiopia, it will solely be the accountability of NECOFA. Ethiopia is fertile for ecofarming.
Since Bamenda, NECOFA - Ethiopia has undertaking few measures. Previously, it was planned to promote the concept of ecofarming only through government institutions, especially MOA and Regional Agricultural Development Bureau. From the experience obtained at Bamenda, a shift of strategy is made. Higher Educational Institutions, Farmers co-operatives, higher governments officials and politicians were targeted. Accordingly, awareness creation was done on:
a) Politicians and Officials
i)
A long meeting with a high official, previously the Executive committee member, in charge of Economic Affairs, currently President of Oromiyaa Regional Government. The sensitization ended with a request of presentation in a written form. Ecofarming, thus was presented in a very compressed manner. (See NECOFA News letter, Volume 3 Number 3, Sept. 2001).
The outcome was positive. The rural agricultural development direction is currently under reconsideration. The regular government is initiating development of a new agricultural strategy. A committee is working on drafting a policy for organic agricultural production. NECOFA-Ethiopia, informally, is used as a source of information.
ii)Bureau and Cooperative Level
The head of Oromiyaa Cooperative Promotion Bureau is approached. Consecutive discussions were made. Strong supporters, with a good number of his staff members, are obtained. The largest farmers' cooperative in Ethiopia, Oromiyaa Coffee Farmers' Cooperative Union Private Limited, with total members of about 2400 coffee farmers, with 34 cooperative, is won over. The cooperative decided to change its direction solely to organic coffee on its General Assembly of August 2001. Both the Bureau and the cooperative have applied for membership to NECOFA-Ethiopia.
b) Intellectuals
Sensitization activities have been undertaken on individuals, especially intellectuals with the background of agricultural and plant protection knowledge. Just two days before my flight to this workshop a group of five intellectuals have applied for registration to the Ministry of Trade. The group organized by the name Bio HATS will be the first of its kind, if licensesed, to be Organic Certification and Inspection Agency in the country. This group is advised, organized and sponsored by NECOFA-Ethiopia.
c) Higher Education
One of the areas of attention of NECOFA-Ethiopia for the dissemination of Ecofarming was institutes of higher education. Accordingly the chairman was able to exploit an occasion in which a workshop was organized, at Ambo Agricultural College, to develop a course outline for environmental sciences. The chance was totally exploited, Ecofarming and Organic farming under the title Appropriate Rural Development were included in the course outline. As a result of informal discussion, a number of the College's Staff has applied for membership both individually and institutionally. There is an open and wide chance to use the Colleges more than 600 ha as demonstration site for ecofarming. (See NECOFA Newsletters, V3, No 3, Sep.2001).
d) Rural Community and Development Agents Level
The main target group of ecofarming is the rural community, particularly the poor farmers. In Oromiyaa Regional State, in two districts, villagers of two farmers' associations were given training on ecofarming: concept and technologies. Farmers were seen to be much enthusiastic and sentimental in the process when local technologies were appraised. (See NECOFA Newsletter V3 N0 3, Sep.2001)
That NGOs and professional associations should be legally registered is the rule of the land. Without ret being registered any movement or activity of such bodies is unlawful. All activities being performed by NECOFA-Ethiopia prior to registration were not permitted but inevitable. So everything attempted was done under risk. This problem was the main cause, which eroded the committement of all our establishing members and put NECOFA-Ethiopia at the verge of disintegration.
The old guard of the "Green Revolution" but the vital expertise whose green light (recommendation) is a decisive factor in the process of registration was the sole obstacle for the legalization of NECOFA-Ethiopia. The tactful approach to another equally important government institution of equal saying, the Environmental Protection Authority of Ethiopia and its strong support to ecofarming was a big push for obtaining The Certificate. Some of the staff of this institution are members of NECOFA-Ethiopia received its certificate of registration of June 20, 2002, identified by the No 886, from The Ministry of Justice of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Network for Ecofarming in Ethiopia (NECOFA-Ethiopia) is legal.
The country network, according to its action plan, has proposed a project profile. It was a criterion for registration. The proposal was accepted. The project document was submitted to some, including Development Section of The German Embassy in Ethiopia. A copy is also submitted to The International Co-ordination of NECOFA, hopefully he will come up with some donor agency.
The biggest problem of the Country network was that of the establishing members. What was expected by all of the first participants is NECOFA-Ethiopia in its ready-made form. They are still looking for everything with all facilities at hand, but not for their efforts and inputs for facilitation. The reality was the reverse. NECOFA-Ethiopia should scratch from the ground. Thus every body went his way. NECOFA-Ethiopia was left only with Asfaw, Betru and Asnakech as committee members.
We had no support of any kind Approaching donor agencies for funding was impossible because of being not registered. All expenses used to be covered from a single person's pocket, even if not so much high.
Communication with The International Center and Country Networks was impossible. No means to obtain information. No office and office facilities, both because of lack of legal permission and source of finance. Generally promotion and implementation ecofarming, strengthening of NECOFA could not be advanced visa vis its age.
The country network should start living in its true sense. The establishment of its office immediately is unescapable. If not, its certificate will be revoked forever. If not no donor can fund an institution without any address. If not no planning, no coordination, no promotion, no implementation, no materialization of ecofarming can be done on the air.
Hopping that most conditions are similar with other country networks, the International NECOFA Center should take full responsibility and committement of establishing and making operational them all.
NECOFA secretariat at continental level is an issue with no other option. DSE and International Center should pay due attention to this issue if the realization of ecofarming principles in Africa is considered to be real business. Then NECOFA shall be the head of matchstick.
Finally I would like to express my great appreciation to NECOFA-Uganda, The International Coordinating Center and DSE for organizing this occasion.
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