Stony soils and eroded land, water shortages and archaic methods of cultivation: agriculture in the Northern Highlands of Ethiopia is hard graft. The farmers work their fields with hoes and one-body ploughs. But the harvest frequently does not suffice to fill their bellies.

Cereals and vegetable thrive when there is enough rainfall. But due to deforestation and climatic changes it seldom rains in Merhabete and up here, at 2,250 metres above sea level, there are neither streams nor rivers.
Menschen für Menschen is therefore constructing water retaining ponds capable of holding up to 60 million litres for collecting water in the rainy season and later distributing it to the fields through pipes and canals. For this purpose, huge erosion ditches lost to farming are extended and sealed.

But irrigation alone does not suffice. Further erosion can be prevented by reforestation with seedlings. The construction of terraces prevents the crumbling and washing away of precious hillside land. To conserve the soils, Menschen für Menschen is encouraging crop rotation and assisting in the introduction of pioneer plants and vegetables which will contribute to a balanced diet. 

At their beginnings, erosion ditches are stabilised and contained with stone walls and strong rooting vetiver grass and subsequently planted with seedlings. They gradually fill up again and the land has been reclaimed for field husbandry.

The agricultural advisers of Menschen für Menschen live with the farmers in their villages. They jointly plan their work and exchange ideas and experiences. The farmers themselves take care of digging and planting. That’s hard work. But visible successes on the one hand and active participation on the other guarantee the maintenance and continuation of everything that is needed for secure agriculture. 

To avoid long-term dependence, Menschen für Menschen gives the farmers suggestions they can easily copy. In the meantime the state development authorities are copying our methods. They are a shining example of what can be done for man and nature in an adverse environment. Local public and private institutions emphasise the exemplary character of Merhabete. We are delighted about this. But the real successes are the “fruits of the work”, with which we have been able to assure so many families a secure future. 

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