AMU, Ayuda en AcciÓn, Qomar Spanish Food Company and Madrid Polytechnic University kicked off a new project entitled “Innovation in the Development of the Moringa Market system (INNMORE)” at Tourist hotel, Arba Minch, Ethiopia, on 13th May, 2025. The project fund was donated by Spanish Cooperation and Arba Minch University (AMU) involves as a lead partner whereas the local cooperative partners from Wolaita and Gamo Zones will be the project focus areas. AMU officials, project team members from Addis Ababa and Wolaita, higher officials and different sector leaders from Gamo and Wolaita zones, community members from the two zones cooperatives and private sectors invited participants graced the event. Click here to see more photos.
Teklu Wegayehu (PhD), VP for Research and Cooperation Office, said, as we embark on strengthening the Moringa value chain project, our collective goal is to enhance production, processing, and market access for Moringa cracking its full potential to benefit our community. By fostering innovative practices, building capacity, and strengthening market linkages, we aim to create a sustainable and resilient value chain that drives economic growth and improves livelihoods, he remarked. Further adding, he noted that we are committed to transforming Moringa into a key driver of health, nutrition, and prosperity in our communities; the project is not just about increasing sales, but it's about creating sustainable livelihoods and a thriving market for the valuable and nutritious crop, Moringa, contributing to a more food-secure world and building the future where communities are not just surviving but thriving even in the face of climate change.
Dounia Sadaoui, Ayuda en AcciÓn (AeA) Country Director, said, we have different strategic partners from academic, government sectors, civil society, private sectors and local cooperatives. The objective of the project is to strengthen the economic growth and resilience to climate change in the most vulnerable communities in South Ethiopia Region especially in Gamo and Wolaita zones, she noted.
Addisu Fekadu (PhD), researcher and project PI from AMU side, highlighted the partnership role of AMU in the project is to introduce technologies, give hands on training and technical backstop for cooperatives and lead the research part solely. The overall budget allocated for this project is over €900,000.00 of which €120,000.00 is only for the research part, he said. Further speaking on details, he noted that the project has for partners: AMU, Ayuda en AcciÓn Spanish NGO, Qomar Spanish Food Company and Madrid Polytechnic University. The cooperative team members have already been selected in Wolaita and Gamo zones and are taking the land and completing the requirements expected with the local governments.
Daniel Dele (PhD), Wolaita Zone Deputy Administrator and Agriculture Department head, said, most often we cannot get food from a tree, but Moringa is a tree that serves as a source of food. As developing country where always food insecurity and malnutrition are issues, it’s a further step to begin to talk on Moringa tree which solves the food security and nutrition problems with a single stone; hence, we will take our part and play our role effectively to get the project successful, he remarked.
Mr. Ermiyas Tadesse, Ayuda en AcciÓn program director presented a paper on strategic focus and INNMORE project highlights whereas Belay Tafa (PhD) from AMU presented paper on challenges which face Moringa and experiences in Ethiopia.
Before the program closure, invited private sectors shared their experience on challenges and areas of collaboration; then after, the participants discussed and shared their views on the issues.
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Public and International Relations Executive