The project, “Fostering Food Security to Prevent Conflict and Ensure Stability in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia,” was launched in December 2023 by the Global Green Growth Institute in partnership with Entrepreneurship for Impact and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. Implemented in five kebeles of Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha Woreda, Oromia, the project aimed to address food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and conflict risks through integrated, community-based interventions.

A total of 1,358 farmers (713 men and 645 women) received training in climate-smart agriculture, organic composting, market linkages, and conflict management. The initiative distributed drought-tolerant seeds, supported 1,380 households with vermicomposting, empowered two women’s associations in organic fertilizer production, and piloted solar-powered irrigation across 130 hectares. Through community dialogue and institutional capacity building, the project enhanced resilience, strengthened social cohesion, and directly benefited 8,577 people, demonstrating strong potential for scaling up across Ethiopia.

This project boosted food security and community resilience through climate-smart agriculture, capacity building, and renewable energy. It strengthened stakeholders—including farmers and government—via structured knowledge-sharing and entrepreneurship workshops for ten farmer groups. Additionally, 344 women and youth received conflict management and vegetable value chain training.

To improve productivity, vulnerable farmers received drought-tolerant seeds and training in organic composting at demonstration sites. Community dialogue platforms fostered social cohesion, while three solar-powered irrigation systems were installed. These integrated interventions, supported by technical training on irrigation and agronomy, successfully reduced conflict risks and enhanced local livelihoods.

Located in East Africa, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of around 120 million in 2021, of which more than 80% dwell in rural areas. The country’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, which accounts for more than 80% of exports and employs about 75 percent of the country’s workforce. Ethiopian agriculture is mostly dependent on rainfall and is highly vulnerable to climate change. Ethiopia is exposed to several climate change-related hazards such as droughts, floods, and locust infestation, which have jeopardized food security efforts. For instance, Ethiopia is currently struggling with drought-like conditions in four provinces, while others have been affected by floods which impacts crop production.

In the Ethiopian Central Rift Valley area, food-insecure households are highly vulnerable to climate change and prone to conflicts and instability due to population pressure, recurrent drought, and competition over limited resources. The combination of drought, displacement, violence, and underdevelopment frequently results in pervasive food insecurity. Droughts, conflicts, and food insecurity play a significant role in the emergence of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and migration from rural areas to cities.

GGGI is committed to contributing to ongoing efforts to address the problem of recurrent conflicts and climate shocks, which have resulted in agricultural production losses and livestock fatalities, thereby worsening the country’s food insecurity.  This project is part of GGGI’s effort to contribute to resolving these critical challenges.

This project aimed to improve food security, prevent conflicts, and ensure environmental protection in select communities by building capacity and raising awareness.  It has four key outcomes:

Improved Conflict Resolution Skills: enhance the capacity and skills of beneficiary communities in conflict resolution and prevention, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to manage disputes peacefully.

Increased Food Security: through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and farm diversification. This involves training in climate-resilient techniques, promoting diverse crops for better nutrition and income, and potentially introducing improved seeds or other inputs.

Knowledge Sharing: The project will develop knowledge sharing and dissemination guides on climate-smart agriculture and conflict prevention.

Documented Lessons Learned: throughout its implementation. It will serve as a valuable resource for future projects, promoting learning and continuous improvement.