MELCA-Ethiopia

11/04/2026

መልካ ኢትዮጵያ ለመላው የክርስትና እምነት ተከታዮች በሙሉ እንኳን ለብርሃነ ትንሳኤው አደረሳችሁ እያለ በዓሉ የፍቅር እና የሰላም እንዲሆንልዎ ይመኛል፡፡

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful Easter.
fans MELCA-Ethiopia

30/03/2026

For years, MELCA-Ethiopia, alongside government institutions, partners, scholars, and practitioners, has worked to build national traction for agroecology, advancing dialogue, shaping ideas, and contributing to policy thinking aimed at transforming food systems toward sustainability, resilience, equity, and food sovereignty.

This long-standing effort has now culminated in a major achievement. The National Agroecology Strategy was officially launched on 14 March 2026 at the Ministry of Agriculture, marking a historic step forward for the country.

This milestone reflects the collective dedication of government institutions, research bodies, civil society, and practitioners. The process has been notably inclusive, participatory, and grounded in both technical expertise and lived experience, setting a strong foundation for meaningful change.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture for its leadership, and to all partners and experts who contributed to this journey.

The real work now begins.

The success of this strategy will depend on how effectively it is translated into action, through policies, investments, and practices that deliver tangible benefits for farmers, communities, and ecosystems.

We call on all stakeholders to remain engaged and committed as Ethiopia moves from strategy to implementation, and from commitment to measurable impact.

Please find the links to the publications for further reference:
https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/46392/
https://www.cifor-icraf.org/fr/ressources/publication/46226/

20/03/2026

መልካ-ኢትዮጵያ ለመላው የእስልምና ዕምነት ተከታዮች በሙሉ እንኳን ለ1447ኛው የዒድ አል-ፈጥር በዓል በሰላም አደረሳችሁ በማለት መልካም ምኞታችንን እንገልፃለን፡፡
ኢድ ሙባረክ!
Eid Mubarak! Wishing you a happy holiday!

12/03/2026

Did you know that, the Burseraceae in Ethiopia comprises six species of Boswellia and 42 of Commiphora, producing frankincense or myrrh?

For millennia, these aromatic resins have been the heartbeat of global trade, sacred rituals, and traditional medicine. Now, the definitive guide to these botanical treasures is here: "The Frankincense and Myrrh Species of Ethiopia" by renowned experts Prof. Sebsebe Demissew and Prof. Ib Friis.

The book offers one of the most comprehensive guides to these remarkable plants. The field guide documents six species of Boswellia and forty-two species of Commiphora found in Ethiopia, providing detailed descriptions, illustrations, ecological information, and traditional uses to support accurate identification and conservation.

Behind this work stands Professor Sebsebe Demissew, one of the respected & Leading voices in African botany. As a Professor of Plant Systematics and Biodiversity at Addis Ababa University, his research has helped document Ethiopia’s plant diversity and the ecological knowledge associated with it. He led the monumental Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea project, which recorded more than 6,000 plant species across the region.

His contributions to science and biodiversity conservation have been recognized globally. Professor Sebsebe has received the Kew International Medal, was elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society, and was awarded the José Cuatrecasas Medal for Excellence in Tropical Botany for his lifelong work documenting and conserving tropical plant diversity.

For MELCA-Ethiopia, protecting Ethiopia’s biocultural landscapes begins with knowing them. Research like this strengthens the foundation for safeguarding the ecosystems, species, and knowledge systems that support the ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on it.

If you work in biodiversity, forestry, agroecology, or conservation, this field guide is an important resource for understanding Ethiopia’s unique frankincense and myrrh landscapes.

The book is available at the Addis Ababa University Book Centre.

Additional resources:
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Research gate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Sebsebe-Demissew-2069855550

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebsebe_Demissew

https://independent.academia.edu/SebsebeDemissewProf

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebsebe-demissew-272710124/

10/03/2026

On March 8, communities and partners came together at the Holeta Agricultural Research Center to celebrate International Women’s Day, recognizing the vital role women play in agriculture, community resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
Women farmers from cooperatives and women’s self help groups joined district and kebele experts, partners from SOCODEVI, and project staff for a day of reflection, learning, and inspiration.
The program opened with welcoming remarks from the Welmera Women and Social Affairs Office, followed by a presentation from Ejere District highlighting women’s rights, justice, and opportunities in agriculture. The discussion emphasized the importance of strengthening women’s access to resources, knowledge, and leadership spaces within rural development.
One of the most powerful moments of the day came from a women’s group originally established during MELCA - Ethiopia’s earlier project phase. Their journey reflects what collective effort and determination can achieve. What began with savings of only 10 birr among 20 members has grown into a legally recognized Saving and Credit Cooperative with 140 members. Today, individual members are able to access loans of up to 150,000 birr, opening real pathways for economic independence and investment in livelihoods.
Two women headed model farmers also shared their personal experiences, speaking honestly about both achievements and challenges in managing farms and households. Their stories offered practical lessons and encouragement for other women working to strengthen their economic and social position.
The event was further enriched by cultural performances and a panel discussion involving representatives from the Welmera Women and Social Affairs Office, SOCODEVI, and MELCA Ethiopia. The conversation focused on the progress made, the challenges that remain, and the importance of sustained collaboration to advance women’s empowerment in agriculture.
The gathering was more than a celebration. It was a reminder that when women farmers gain access to knowledge, resources, and collective platforms, they strengthen not only their own livelihoods but also the resilience of their communities.

08/03/2026

In rural Ethiopia, women are central to forest management and biodiversity conservation. From preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants to managing tree nurseries and protecting non-timber forest products. Evidence shows that when women occupy leadership roles on forest management committees, both forest health and household livelihoods improve.

Women are also vital to resilient food systems, selecting and preserving indigenous crop varieties, and developing culturally rooted, nutritious dishes that sustain agrobiodiversity and strengthen local food systems.

Yet their voices are too often excluded from decisions that shape environmental and agricultural futures.

This International Women’s Day, we honor the women whose work sustains forests, biodiversity, and local food systems, and call for targeted investment in their knowledge, leadership, land rights, and access to resources, to protect nature, strengthen community resilience, and advance a just, sustainable future.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - 2026 !

06/01/2026

ለመላው የክርስትና እምነት ተከታዮች በሙሉ እንኳን ለብርሃነ ልደቱ በሰላም አደረሳችሁ፡፡

መልካም የገና በዓል !

21/11/2025

Local Seed and Food Fair with Youth Biocultural Diversity Celebration Held in Welmera District

MELCA Ethiopia organized a combined Local Seed and Food Fair and Youth Biocultural Diversity Celebration on November 18, 2025, in Telecho, Welmera District, Oromia, under the project Enhancing the Resilience Capacity of Smallholder Farmers of Welmera through Promoting Agroecological Practices and Market Access, supported by Humundi.

The event brought together representatives from the House of Peoples' Representatives, officials from Humundi, regional government, NGOs, research centers, sector offices, schools, and over eight SEGNI Club schools, with the Malka Foata Local Seed Producers and Conservators Cooperative playing a central role. Activities included a field trial site visit and a tour of the Community Seed Bank, where participants observed locally restored seed varieties, experimental plots, and conservation practices that support sustainable farming.

SEGNI Club students showcased cultural performances, traditional attire, foods, medicinal plants, and local seeds, highlighting youth engagement in preserving biocultural knowledge. A cultural food exhibition further emphasized the nutritional, cultural, and economic value of indigenous crops.

A moderated dialogue among officials and civil society reflected on policy support, seed conservation, youth leadership, and agroecological practices. Honourable Mr. Tesfaye Bangu delivered closing remarks encouraging continued collaboration across all stakeholders.

MELCA Ethiopia thanked the Malka Foata Cooperative, local women farmers, SEGNI Club students, Humundi, and the Welmera Project Office team for their contributions. The celebration highlighted how communities can strengthen agricultural resilience by valuing heritage, conserving local seeds, adopting ecological practices, and empowering youth as custodians of culture.

20/11/2025

MELCA Ethiopia Hosts Policy Advocacy Forum on Agroecology and Food Systems

MELCA Ethiopia held a policy advocacy forum on November 13, 2025, at Inter Luxury Hotel in Addis Ababa under the project titled Improving Community and Ecosystem Resilience through Eco-Friendly Livelihood Options, Promotion of Agroecological Practices, and Engagement in Nature Conservation. The forum brought together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from the Ethiopian Parliament’s House of Peoples’ Representatives, regional government institutions from Oromia, civil society organizations, academia, partners, and community groups, to strengthen understanding and foster collaboration around agroecology and sustainable food systems.

The forum opened with remarks by Mr. Mersha Yilma, MELCA Ethiopia’s Program Director, who warmly welcomed participants and highlighted the organization’s ongoing interventions in Wolemera and Adaba Woredas. He emphasized the importance of active engagement in advancing ecological sustainability and Eco-Friendly livelihoods.

Dr. Mellese Damite, Board Director of MELCA Ethiopia, delivered the keynote speech, underscoring agroecology as a vital, practical approach to achieving long-term food security. He called for enhanced coordination among policymakers, implementers, and local communities to effectively embed agroecological principles into national and regional strategies.

The event featured presentations showcasing MELCA Ethiopia’s work in Wolemera and Adaba, including core agroecological principles, policy considerations for sustainable food systems, and field experiences shared by local farmers. These insights provided a grassroots perspective on the adoption and positive impacts of agroecology at the community level. Active discussions followed, focusing on integrating agroecological practices into institutional programs and operational plans.

Furthermore, the forum served as a vital platform for stakeholders to exchange views and identify collaborative opportunities to promote ecological conservation and food security.

The closing remarks were delivered by Honorable Mrs. Meseret Mandole of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, who emphasized the value of continued joint action and indicated her intention to represent the forum’s agenda in her official engagements, supporting its integration into broader policy processes.
The gathering concluded with reaffirmed commitments to advance agroecology and strengthen sustainable food systems. MELCA Ethiopia expressed sincere gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and ongoing partnership in this critical work.

12/11/2025

24/10/2025

MELCA-Ethiopia successfully co-hosted a two-day national workshop titled “AI and Genetic Engineering Convergence: Understanding, Trends, and Biosafety Concerns” With African Centre for Biodiversity from 30 September to 1 October 2025 at Haile Grand Hotel, Addis Ababa.

The event brought together scientists, policymakers, civil society, and development partners to discuss how emerging technologies like AI and gene editing affect Ethiopia’s agriculture, environment, and biosafety governance.

Honorable Mrs. Frenesh Mekuria (EPA, Deputy Director General) opened the workshop, reaffirming the government’s commitment to biosafety and international agreements. Ms. Mariam Mayet (ACB, Executive Director) delivered the keynote, emphasizing ethical use and African collaboration on new technologies.

Discussions focused on balancing innovation with precaution, strengthening biosafety laws, and protecting Ethiopia’s agricultural heritage including native crops like teff, maize, and enset.

The workshop concluded with the Addis Ababa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Genetic Engineering, calling for transparent, science-based, and participatory governance to safeguard food sovereignty and agrobiodiversity.
In closing remarks, Honourable Tesfaye Bangu, Member of the House of Peoples’ Representatives (Standing Committee on Agriculture), reinforced that safeguarding Ethiopia’s agrobiodiversity is a shared moral and national responsibility.

Finally, certificates of recognition were presented to individuals in acknowledgment of their continued support and exemplary leadership in advancing biodiversity conservation, and their commitment to promoting biosafety, ethical scientific practices, and food sovereignty. Recipients included distinguished international experts, as well as representatives from the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).

Mr. Solomon Kebede, in his a vote of thanks, acknowledged all participants, partners, and media, with special gratitude to the African Centre for Biodiversity for ongoing financial and technical support. He emphasized MELCA-Ethiopia’s commitment to promoting ethical science and inclusive dialogue to ensure technological advances serve people, biodiversity, and culture.

For more info visit: melcaethiopia.org

21/10/2025

UNESCO Designates Anywaa Biosphere Reserve: A Model of Harmony Between People and Nature

Located in the Gambella People’s National Regional State of Ethiopia, covering Abobo, Gambella, Gog, Dima, and Jor woredas of the Anywaa Zone, the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve has been officially recognized under UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, acknowledging its unique balance between cultural heritage and natural ecosystems.

Spanning over 1.8 million hectares, the reserve links Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park with South Sudan’s Boma National Park and encompasses six distinct ecosystems. It serves as a critical avian sanctuary, featuring two Important Bird Areas, while rivers such as the Baro, Akobo, Gilo, and Alwero feed into the Sobat River and ultimately the Nile, with the Alwero Dam supplying up to 40 percent of the Nile’s waters. The reserve also plays a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation across the region.

Its biodiversity includes over 1,000 plant species, 69 mammals, 327 birds, 113 fish, and many reptiles and amphibians, many threatened or endemic. Home to more than 187,000 people, the Reserve embodies the essence of UNESCO’s vision: protecting biodiversity while fostering sustainable livelihoods.

For generations, the Anywaa people have lived in close harmony with the rivers and lands that shape their daily lives. Their farming, fishing, and seasonal movements follow nature’s rhythms, reflecting a deep respect and balance with the environment. This culturally embedded traditional ecological knowledge system, rooted in values that nurture nature, has harmoniously guided the sustainable management and preservation of the environment for many years.

This milestone achievement was made possible through a collaborative effort facilitated by the Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (NSSID) programme, led by Farm Africa and funded by the Embassy of Sweden through SIDA. Key contributors include MELCA–Ethiopia; the Ministry of Agriculture; the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute; the Gambella Regional State; the Anywaa Zone Administration and local communities; and the National MAB Committee.

“This recognition affirms Ethiopia’s leadership in safeguarding biodiversity while honouring the wisdom of local people who have protected these landscapes for generations. We are proud to be part of this journey, and we remain committed to working hand in hand with relevant stakeholders and partners to ensure the Biosphere Reserve thrives as a model of harmony between people and nature." said Solomon Kebede, Manager of MELCA- Ethiopia.

For Ethiopia, this marks the sixth biosphere reserve recognized under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, joining Kafa, Sheka, Yayu, Lake Tana, and Majang. Each offers distinct lessons in conservation and community development from forest protection and eco-friendly farming to preserving indigenous knowledge.

The Anywaa Biosphere Reserve also represents a proud milestone for MELCA-Ethiopia, which has played a leading role in facilitating, the designation of three of the country’s six biosphere reserves: Sheka Forest (2012), Majang Forest (2017), and now Anywaa (2025). This highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to linking conservation with culture and ensuring communities remain central to environmental stewardship in Ethiopia.

The registration of the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve represents a landmark achievement and a testament to the power of collaboration between people and nature. Yet this milestone marks the beginning of a long-term journey toward sustainable stewardship. Its success will rely on continuous, inclusive engagement of local communities, civil society, government institutions, and all stakeholders, guided by a comprehensive management plan. By uniting conservation, cultural preservation, and sustainable development, the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve is poised to become a global model for harmony between people and ecosystems, exemplifying the principles and vision of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Watch the Video Documentary on the Reserve: https://youtu.be/OXhgvFrZrHE