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CNFA Europe and GIZ Ethiopia’s GIAF Inaugurate Iteya and Robe Farm Service Centers 

Two new FSCs are one-stop shops for high-quality agricultural inputs. 

ARSI ZONE, Ethiopia—On March 22-23, 2017, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) Europe under GIZ Ethiopia’s Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector (GIAF)-Ethiopia portfolio commemorated the inauguration of two Farm Service Centers (FSCs) in the Iteya and Arsi-Robe woredas of the Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State. The FSCs are market-based, one-stop shops that provide high-quality agricultural inputs, services, and training to smallholder farmers at affordable prices and are the cornerstone of the Farm Service Center Project (FSCP) implemented by CNFA Europe. 

To inaugurate the new FSCs, FSCP-GIAF-Ethiopia partnered with Ethiopian entrepreneur Alemu Agricultural Inputs Enterprise for the Iteya FSC and Dida Farmers’ Cooperative Union for the Robe FSC. Each FSC owner received a 1:1 matching investment of €30,000 to establish the centers. Each center is equipped with a complete range of quality agricultural inputs and employs skilled staff to provide services, training, and information to smallholder farmers. 

The inaugural events were attended by more than 400 representatives from government organizations, GIZ, input suppliers, private enterprises, and other stakeholders, including federal and regional government officials from the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture, and Zonal and woreda officials from Arsi Zone. 

Keynote speeches were delivered at the inaugurations of both FSCs by Ato Zebdious Selato and Ato Kasim Ahmed, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Natural Resources and the Arsi Zone Woreda Administration office, respectively. 

Additional participants included the GIZ-Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector (GIAF) program manager, Dr. Gerold Rahmann, representatives from other implementers of GIZ-GIAF programs in Ethiopia, smallholder farmers, and representatives from the private sector, the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), EGAA PLC, the media, and other stakeholders. 

Both Farm Service Center stores are now open for business and will continue to procure the appropriate inputs to serve smallholder farmers in the region in order to improve their food security, livelihoods, and incomes. 

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