Since the outbreak of conflict in November 2020, Tigray and other regions have seen widespread agricultural disruption, increased levels of severe food insecurity and loss of livelihoods.
The loan is part of the resource partners’ commitment to FAO, and the provision of fertilizer will help farmers sow in the field during the crucial growing season. However, this allowance must be delivered and applied by the end of the month.
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David Phiri, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for East Africa and Interim Representative of Ethiopia, thanks the partners and CERF for recognizing the need to act quickly.
“If farmers get the input they need, they will be able to harvest and start consuming this product from October 2022. These harvests will cover their food needs.s for at least six monthsand in the best case, until the next harvest for a significant proportion of households, there is surplus for sale,” he said. speak.
Meanwhile, Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO’s Office of Emergencies and Resilience, points to broader impacts.
“There is a small chance to prevent severe hunger by providing important agricultural inputs and allowing farmers to produce enough food for the people thus prevent the potential increase of humanitarian need“He added.
Nurturing the nation
Up to 80% of Ethiopians depend on agriculture as their main source of livelihood, especially those living in rural areas, and their produce supplies the nation.
The main growing season is called Meher, and this is the most important season for crop production in Tigray.
With rainfall performing well, coupled with a favorable outlook, the crop offers an important and cost-effective opportunity to improve food production and availability throughout the region, the FAO said.
The UN agency and its partners have so far purchased just over 19,000 tonnes of fertilizer, or 40% of the requirement. This is enough to meet the needs of about 380,000 households, and the first batch of 7,000 tons has been distributed to farmers.
Satisfy the need
An additional 12,000 tonnes was purchased through a CERF loan, along with a similar allocation by FAO. Loans against funding are secured from a bilateral sponsor, with more details to follow once the deal is finalized.
19,000 tons of fertilizer was tendered through the Ethiopian Government, and authorities have indicated that more fertilizer could be provided if FAO and its partners raised additional funds.
FAO said the aim was to supply the total required 60,000 tonnes to Tigray, the fund allows.
The agency previously benefited from CERF loans in 2017 to prevent famine in Somalia and support Desert Locust control operations in the Horn of Africa in 2020.
