The launch program of a project designed to adapt “Enset” for food in the Amhara region was held at Debremarkos University.

Debre Markos University: 24 September 2022 (Directorate of Public Relations and Communication) Debre Markos University and the Development Bank of Ethiopia jointly held a launch program for a project designed to adapt “Enset” for food in the Amhara region.

The President of  Debremarkos University Tafere Melaku (PhD) who gave the welcome speech at the program expressed his appreciation for the fact that the Development Bank of Ethiopia accepted the idea and decided to work with the Universiy with full intention of fulfilling social responsibilities.

He added that the project is a pioneer in the field and pointed out that even though “Enset” is a plant that has lived for a long time with us in our region, we do not use it except for baking bread, but it is a food security for more than twenty million people in the Southern part of our country.

He thanked the team of the project who made this project a reality by supporting the idea with research to ensure the food security of our community by bringing the experience of South Ethiopia region to Gojjam in Amara region. He has also promised to provide all the necessary support until the project is completed.

Finally, he conveyed his message that all of our university as well as the outside community should shoulder the responsibility of the project in a sincere spirit so that it can be completed in a better way as this project will be of great benefit to ensure food security for our zone specifically and for our region largely.

President of the Development Bank Ethiopia, Honorable Yohannes Ayalew (PhD) attended the project launch program to adapt “Enset” for food in the Amhara region and delivered a message.

In his message, the fact that the project is being launched at a time when the country is struggling to ensure food security makes its significance greater.  He added that when the project is completed, its role in protecting the ecosystem of the region is significant.

He also mentioned that the “Enset” plant is blessed with many good natural qualities and is preferred over other plants to ensure food security.

According to studies, “Enset” is the main source of food for more than 20 million citizens in Ethiopia.

Therefore, the purpose of this project is to enable farmers to produce more dried “Enset” or “Kocho” in the Amhara region to reduce drought and hunger by implementing this project to adapt it for food and to enable farmers to get more income by offering it to the market in addition to using it for food.

He stated that the Development Bank of Ethiopia encourages agricultural researches and innovative ideas related to the development of the country, especially food self-sufficiency.

A teacher and researcher from Wachamo University, Daniel Menor, presented his research paper titled ” ‘Enset’ Productivity and Adaptation”.

He explained in his article that “Enset” is a plant that can grow in both lowland and highland climates and has many benefits. Some of its uses include traditional medicine, industrial resources, food, and maintaining soil fertility.

He concluded his article by pointing out that the “Enset” plant has an irreplaceable role in ensuring food security as it can withstand climate change in different conditions and can remain without water for several times.

In this program, the concept of the project titled “Adapting ‘Enset’ for food in the Amhara region” was presented in detail by the project team.

As we understand from the article presented by Mr. Bawoke Tiruneh, a teacher and researcher of Debre Markos University and the proponent of this project, the project will be implemented in the next 10 years under the ownership of Debre Markos University. The Development Bank of Ethiopia on its own part has provided a financial support of 2 million birr for the project’s one-year implementation budget.

A discussion was held based on the two research papers presented, and various questions and important comments were given by the participating guests.

The President of Debremarkos University Tafere Melakun (PhD) and the President of Development Bank of Ethiopia Honorable Yohannes Ayaleu (PhD) made the concluding speech of the program.

In their speech, they both promised that they will work together to make the project grow into a comprehensive integrated project by providing professional and financial support.