Sr. Takele Teshome
I am the founder and current Executive Director of a national NGO working in areas of agricultural production improvement, food security and natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. I am also involved in capacity development training and advisory services on leadership and team building, disaster risk management and recovery, gender, food system transformation, locally led climate change adaptation and advocating for climate justice
Brief Biography of Takele Teshome Takele Teshome did his diploma in general agriculture at Jima's agricultural college and pursued his further education in plant science at Alemaya agricultural university. Then, he did his Masters Degree in Agricultural Extension at University of Reading, UK with minor in gender Further to his long term education, Takele attended many short term domestic and overseas training such as transformative leadership, environment diplomacy, crisis prevention, recovery and resilience building, gender, program design, cross cultural management, negotiation. He also participated in many online courses such virtual Academy, Tranformative leadership and received certificates Work Experience Takele’s career started in the Ministry of State Farm here he served as farm manager. .He also worked in national and international NGOs and UN agencies (UNDP) in senior program management and coordination posts while working for UNDP he played a leading role in the development of the national DRM Policy, establishment and full operationalization of Ethiopian Commodity Exchange, Initiation of National Farmer Festival and Awarding production hero from mall holder farme On International front, he also served International Federation for Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) as sub regional coordinator for Eastern Africa, Team leader at United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS) Sudan and also serving as focal point for Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network (CSAYN) Presently, he is serving as Executive Director of Association for Sustainable Development Alternatives, the national NGO he established more than 2 decade ago.Takele also received a national bet practice award (Medal, trophy & Appreciation certificate) from hi Excellency the President of Ethiopia for his commendable achievement. Awards and certificates Received medal, trophy and appreciation certificate in the national best practice competition Certificate in promoting theatre for social accountability national competition standing 4th Appreciation Certificate for 10 years dedicated service in UNDP Appreciation letter from African Climate Policy Center (APC) Trained in conflict prevention and peace building (DO NO HARM) Environment Diplomacy Gender sensitive value chain planning Partnership & networks Takele is a member of the following platform/forum and networks • A member of Horn of Africa environment center and regional network, • AU-EU partnership for research on Agriculture, food and nutrition security etc • A focal point for global climate smart Agriculture youth network (CSAYN) • He is serving as Thought for Food Ambassador for East Africa Region • A member of CCRDA leadership forum and chairperson of NNGO humanitarian forum
Sr. Takele Teshome
Dear Team
I encountered different difficulties that prevented my intention to contribute to the request call on food system.
I have to travel to the rural areas after you let me submit my input even after the deadline for which I apologize for the inconvenience
I cannot provide structural contribution related to the set of question and comment on the submitted contribution. But, I want to reflect what I think as key challenge in my experience which may also apply to other, Hence, have a look at the below input and If you find something useful you can integrate it into the appropriate question or contribution
1. Concept and practice of food system I not adequately understood
As you know, food system entail from site election (appropriate agro ecology for the type of crop), land preparation, pre and post harvest crop protection, harvesting, transportation up to reaching the table and fork
Food security is also ill perceived to some extent since mainly focused on food availability neglecting the other pillar. Nutrition also did not get sufficient attention on stunting of children under the age of 5
Research revealed that 8% of child death, 36%of stunting, 21% underweight, 7.14 % wasted children and inclusive breast feeding by 58% since lactating mother are not getting nutritious food
Hence, conceptual clarity and practical guidance should be improved and nutrition be given due attention to overcome stunting and wasting
2. Post harvest management challenge
Although systematic assessment findings are not available it is estimated that about 25% to 30% of the produced food are lost due to failure in supply chain management, packing material and storage. These lose is much higher in horticultural crop (vegetable and fruit) than cereal, pulses and oil crops. There I no refrigerated truck, no cold storage given the high perishability of vegetables and fruits. Hence pot harvest loss reduction should be given priority attention
3. Inadequate action on SDG
SDG achievement is only left with 7 years. But the extent of its achievement globally is not appreciable and worse in some countries. SDG achievement could have contributed to transformation of the food system (SDG2, SDG5, SDG 12, SDG 15 etc) can significantly improve the food system
4. Huge price increase
Several factors may contribute to high price increase that is not affordable to buyers/consumers
As a result of the above marginalized group employ negative copping mechanism which affects their health and the environment they live in
5. Lack of agricultural inputs and insufficient action to promote Urban Agriculture
6. Inadequate capacity of farmer organization (Cooperative, union) to promote technology and protect the interest of the constituency
7. Insufficient use of Solar, biogas energy to minimize deforestation despite available potential