The Beles SUNRise Project in Ethiopia’s Northern Region Tigray aims at improving food security and income generation by promoting the use of the beles cactus. It can be used for human consumption and animal feed but also for disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation.
Cactus for food security and climate change adaption in Ethiopia
The dry season is long in the Mekele region of northern Ethiopia and rainfall is becoming ever scarce due to climate change. The landscape is a patchwork of greys and browns and for many months prickly pear plants (Opuntia ficus indica) are the only spots of green far and wide. The plant stores up water during the rains for the long dry season ahead. The cactus is grown primarily for fencing and control of soil erosion. But its fruit and leaves can also be used for human consumption as well as animal feed. At the household level, the overall goal of BSP is therefore to promote economically viable family farms, who are able to manage their natural resources in a sustainable way, to increase their food security and ability to adapt to climate change.
At community level, the project aims to contribute to the empowerment of rural communities through the establishment of watershed associations and community development funds. These can pave the way for future self-initiative and attract local government bodies and direct donor funding for the implementation of watershed development plans. Ultimately, this should enable communities to develop and manage their natural resources through community induced initiatives and resources. Furthermore, it should restore communities’ capacity and self-reliance to develop community based safety nets that can look after disadvantaged and vulnerable households.
The project also focuses on the development, expansion and strengthening of Beles cactus value chains including the potential of establishing a Beles processing industry in Tigray for local and/or regional market. The promotion of Beles dishes as a means of enhancing food security among target communities will be continued in collaboration with partner institutions.
The project is implemented in the Eastern Tigray Beles Belt including five Districts in the Eastern and South-Eastern Zones of Tigray. The total population of the target area includes approximately 20‘000 people or 3400 rural households.
At community level, the project aims to contribute to the empowerment of rural communities through the establishment of watershed associations and community development funds. These can pave the way for future self-initiative and attract local government bodies and direct donor funding for the implementation of watershed development plans. Ultimately, this should enable communities to develop and manage their natural resources through community induced initiatives and resources. Furthermore, it should restore communities’ capacity and self-reliance to develop community based safety nets that can look after disadvantaged and vulnerable households.
The project also focuses on the development, expansion and strengthening of Beles cactus value chains including the potential of establishing a Beles processing industry in Tigray for local and/or regional market. The promotion of Beles dishes as a means of enhancing food security among target communities will be continued in collaboration with partner institutions.
The project is implemented in the Eastern Tigray Beles Belt including five Districts in the Eastern and South-Eastern Zones of Tigray. The total population of the target area includes approximately 20‘000 people or 3400 rural households.
Jonas Medhin, a 43-year-old farmerI am my parents’ only son and I would like to carry on with their farm. Cactuses are our great hope.
Project impact 2012
6'267 farmers were advised and trained in agricultural practices. 4'622 people received additional income thanks to support for marketing their produce.