FAO launches new field office in Gabella, the seventh in Ethiopia
The new field office will strengthen regional coordination and field-level implementation to boost community resilience, sustainable livelihoods support, food and nutrition security in Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions.
Gambella – Ethiopia: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a new field office in the Gambella Regional State, the 7th in Ethiopia, with the aim of strengthening regional coordination and field-level operations to boost community resilience, sustainable livelihoods support, food and nutrition security in the regions.
Representatives of UN Agencies, humanitarian and development organizations, and government sectoral offices attended the opening ceremony organized in the region’s capital Gambella town. FAO highlighted that strengthening agrifood systems in Gambella, a region endowed with abundant natural resources but negatively impacted by poverty, food insecurity, and limited livelihood options, will serve as a key pathway to ensure community resilience and prosperity.
During the partner discussion conducted at the official opening ceremony, planned focus areas of interventions identified for advocacy were presented for discussion that included system-wide transformations, such as institutions, policies, investment, and human components.
Welcoming FAO's decision to open its operational office at the closest reach of the targeted communities, the participants confirmed their commitment to work hand-in-hand with FAO in promoting investments in the areas of sustainable livelihoods, natural resource management, peace, and economic development that benefits both the host community, refugees and returnees.
Kudzayi Mazumba, Head of Area Office for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Gambella, highlighted the opportunity for complementarity between FAO and his agency to enhance the planning and implementation of development and emergency responses in the region. According to Mazumba, "WFP has been providing integrated smallholder resilience project and in-kind food distribution to refugees, returnees and host communities. The presence of FAO in Gambella will expedite ongoing development activities aimed at reducing food aid dependency in the short term by facilitating proper coordination among partners and offering technical support in areas where it is mandated, such as agriculture, livelihoods, livestock, fishery, and forestry."
It was stated that FAO's immediate interventions include support to agriculture cluster coordination, building the institutional and technical capacity of regional government staff, such as extension workers, through training programs and establishing partnerships.
Okach Malut, Head of the Livestock and Fishery Development Bureau of the Gambella Region, expressed agreement with the justification, stating, “the region holds potential for both agriculture and livestock, yet there exists a significant capacity gap in harnessing it. We lack the expertise required to effectively enhance livestock production, resulting in prioritizing quantity over quality among the community.” He further elaborated that the region anticipates collaborating with the FAO to modernize production systems, improve veterinary services including vaccination, and strengthen laboratory capacities.
Improving land-use planning and sustainable natural resource management was recognized as another priority intervention area, including expanding croplands to suitable areas and enhancing crop-livestock integration. King Jock, Bureau of Irrigation and Lowland Head, called for the integration of environmental protection measures, in this regard. "Some woredas (districts) of the region host larger number of refugees and returnees. Vulnerable to the negative effects of environmental degradation in these areas is ever increasing. The high deforestation practice is contributing to climate change. We also need FAO's support as one of the immediate intervention areas."
During the event, it was agreed that expanding small-scale irrigation using efficient water management practices can also benefit both commercial and small-scale farmers. The government has facilitated an enabling environment for potential investment. "In order to ensure food self-sufficiency, the government has designed a new initiative called Yelemat Tirufat - ‘A Bounty for our Basket’, which identified four priority commodities: honey, poultry, fish, and apiculture,” told Desalegn Biru, Deputy Head Bureau of Livestock of the region.
Additionally, promoting fishing and medium-scale poultry as livelihood diversification strategy, as well as improving financial services and inclusion for smallholder farmers, were recommended to enhance food and nutrition security and incomes for rural households. Alemayehu Belay, Chief of Field Office in Gambella, representing the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at the opening ceremony underscored that fishery needs to be among the high priority. "In a community where we have huge fish resources, it is unfortunate that no one gets the product on a daily basis in the market, including in the capital town. UNICEF is looking forward to working with FAO in this area to enhance food nutrition, WASH, and others among the community."
Strengthening coordination among organizations is crucial for enhancing community livelihoods. FAO's local presence offers a chance for governments and aid groups to collaborate effectively, addressing gaps as highlighted by the participants.
In his closing remarks, Dr Demeke Atlaw, Assistant to the FAO Representative (Programme) in Ethiopia, reiterated that FAO can play a significant role in bringing all actors of the agriculture sector together to better strategize interventions in building a better future. "We will use the remarkable trust we have developed from the government, especially with the Ministry of Agriculture, as a good opportunity to coordinate with all UN agencies, development partners, and all government sectors," Demeke said, ensuring FAO's role in co-leading of the Agricultural Cluster together with the Ministry of Agriculture, the lead.
For further information, please contact:
Meseret Abiy
National Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]
Emmanuel Kihaule
International Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]
Demeke Atlaw
Assistant to the FAO Representative (Programme) a.i.
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]