One simple “yes” led to resounding food security
How one mother in Ethiopia multiplied her harvests by 8!
Have you ever said “yes” to something that ended up changing your life?
Mrs. Semayat Kachara did. Living in the drought-ridden and financially unstable village of Bola Wanche Kebele, Ethiopia, she and her family of eight struggled to keep up with the worsening climate and the declining state of the market. Their farm was often dry, and how much Semayat, her husband, and her six children ate often depended on how much rain came.
Then, when Tearfund’s partner Terepeza Development Association (TDA) organized a village meeting for farmers at Semayat’s local church, she heard about a new technique called conservation agriculture (CA). Eager to try anything that could help her family, she traveled with 25 of her neighbouring farmers and TDA to visit farmers who had adopted CA techniques. She was shocked!
When she was asked if she wanted to try these new farming techniques, her answer was a resounding “yes!”
Soon after, she participated in a 2-day training program on conservation agriculture techniques. Then, to test what she had learned, she planted a 30×30 plot of maize using CA. This plot yielded nearly 8 times as much maize as her plot of the same size using standard farming techniques! Semayat’s joy was radiant.
“Not only the yield difference but also the quality of the product has helped me to compete in the local market.” She noticed that the maize grown with CA is not only more vigorous than her previous harvests, but weeding was far easier, and the soil still retained moisture even during water shortages. It was miraculous!
In total since receiving the training by TDA, Semayat has sold 250kg of maize grain—and this isn’t counting the 4 month food supply she has stored up for her family!
Seeing these results, Semayat is excited to try CA techniques on pigeon and haricot beans for the next harvest season. She plans to use conservation agriculture throughout the rest of her life, and intends to volunteer to teach others about the wonders of these new farming techniques.
She gives heartfelt thanks to God, Tearfund’s partner TDA, and all of the donors who have created this opportunity for her to have food security within her family.
Tearfund works to follow Jesus where the need is greatest. Because of donors like you, we can ensure food security across the world and transform lives!