By: Wegayehu Muluneh
A team from EBC World, the flagship travel and development program of Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, recently traveled to Sheneka Kebele in Bale Zone to document a growing success story in Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation.
The crew paid a visit to an off-season wheat production site powered by irrigation, a model project carried out in collaboration with Madda Walabu University and Grow Further, a U.S. based nonprofit organization committed to catalyzing agricultural innovation to achieve global food security.
This innovative initiative demonstrates how scientific expertise, local commitment, and international cooperation can work together to boost productivity and contribute to Ethiopia’s national goal of achieving food self-sufficiency.
“By using irrigation systems and improved agricultural practices, farmers here are not only producing wheat outside the traditional rainy season but also increasing their yields significantly,” said Alemayehu Abate (PhD), Assistant Professor in Water Resources and Hydrology and Director of Internationalization and Partnership at Madda Walabu university.
The off-season farming technique has become a model in the region, where reliable water sources and climate-smart farming methods are enabling year-round cultivation.
EBC World interviewed farmers and experts who emphasized that the shift to irrigation-based wheat farming is opening new opportunities for smallholders, reducing reliance on food imports, and strengthening national food security.
The visit also highlighted the role of local universities like Madda Walabu in providing technical training and innovation to farmers on the ground.
This visit comes at a time when the Ethiopian government has launched large-scale campaigns to increase domestic wheat production through irrigation and mechanization, with the goal of becoming a wheat exporter in the near future.
The success in Sheneka is part of a broader strategy under Ethiopia’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda, aligning with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s vision of a self-sufficient and climate-resilient agricultural sector.
In a strategic move to enhance food security and reduce dependence on costly imports, the Ethiopian government has been rolling out an ambitious off-season wheat production initiative since 2019.
The program aims to close the widening gap between domestic wheat supply and soaring demand, driven by rapid population growth.
Although Ethiopia is already the largest wheat producer in sub-Saharan Africa, it has long relied on wheat imports, making it vulnerable to external shocks like the war in Ukraine that have disrupted global supply chains and spiked prices.
Jemal Abdulkerim, Assistant Professor of Agronomy at Madda Walabu university said, the off-season initiative focuses on expanding irrigated wheat cultivation beyond the traditional rainy season, allowing for increased annual production and a more stable supply.
He pointed out that the benefits of the initiative extend beyond the agricultural sector. By tapping into Ethiopia’s largely underused water resources, the University in line with Grow Further also aims to boost agricultural productivity and foster economic growth.
Abdul Hakim Aliyi, Bale zone administration head on his part said "The ultimate goal is to not only replace imports with homegrown wheat but also to transform Ethiopia into a potential wheat exporter, strengthening the country’s economic resilience and sustainability."
However, the head said the initiative faces key challenges, particularly in irrigation management. Many farmers continue to rely on fixed-interval watering methods, often leading to under-irrigation and poor yields. These traditional practices do not account for the specific water needs of crops at different growth stages or the rising temperatures experienced during off-season and lowland cultivation. As a result, crops are increasingly vulnerable to water stress and heat damage.
Bezabih Wondimu (PhD) Madda Walabu university, Academic and Research Affairs Vice President emphasize that smart irrigation scheduling applying the right amount of water at the right time is crucial for success.
He noted that Integrating tools like soil moisture sensors and weather data can vastly improve outcomes. Additionally, training farmers and promoting heat resilient wheat varieties are essential steps toward sustainable production.
One promising solution comes from Madda Walabu University, in collaboration with the agricultural innovation nonprofit Grow Further.
Together, they are implementing a holistic model that combines cutting-edge irrigation techniques, soil monitoring, climate-smart technologies like sprinkler systems, and participatory farmer training programs.
Their approach not only boosts yields and conserves water but also equips farmers to face the impacts of climate change.
With continued investment and innovation, Ethiopia’s off-season wheat production could become a transformative force enhancing food security, empowering farmers, and reducing the nation’s reliance on volatile international markets.