Month: October 2024

Agriculture is a key driver of global food security, but it also significantly contributes to methane emissions, particularly from livestock. With the growing need to address climate change while enhancing agricultural productivity and reducing costs for farmers, a new initiative led by the University of California (UC Davis), college of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, through its Department of Global Engagement, is making strides. This project, funded by the Global Methane Hub, is implemented over three years across 16 countries in Asia and Africa, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. It focuses on developing a Feed Ration Formulation (FRF) tool that balances cost, nutritional value, and availability of ingredients. This groundbreaking FRF tool integrates cutting-edge scientific models and data to optimize nutrient requirements for dairy cows. The tool is designed to reduce costs, improve milk yield, and cut methane emissions, ultimately contributing to more sustainable livestock farming.

At Digital Green, we are leading the effort to create a practical, user-friendly tool that connects researchers, extension workers, and farmers, allowing them to access optimized feed recommendations tailored to local conditions. This tool will empower farmers to make informed decisions about feed, reducing expenses while boosting productivity and aligning with global climate goals.

Field Piloting in Ethiopia

A significant milestone was reached in October 2024, when Digital Green, UC Davis, and Hawassa University conducted a field pilot of the Feed Ration Formulation tool in Ethiopia’s Kofele Woreda at Gurmicho and Wamagne Abosa Kebeles. Woreda and Kebele livestock experts participated in the pilot and provided very positive feedback on the tool’s usability and potential. These local experts highlighted the value of the tool in improving their extension services, noting its simplicity and its ability to provide feed recommendations that can enhance dairy productivity.

The primary purpose of the pilot was to conduct user research and gather a list of key improvements for the tool. These improvements will be added in the coming months as UC Davis finalizes the scientific model and other partners complete their respective feed libraries. Hawassa University and Haramaya University are specifically focused on building a comprehensive feed library with nutrient data for Ethiopia, which will be integral to the tool’s accuracy and utility in local contexts.

Expanding the Project’s Reach

In future phases, the project will expand beyond Ethiopia, with plans to roll out in India and other countries including Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Bangladesh. This expansion will involve tailoring the tool to meet the specific needs of farmers in each country, with feed libraries and models adjusted to reflect local conditions and resources. The project will also work on integrating the tool into broader digital platforms to maximize its impact and accessibility.

Looking Ahead

As the project progresses into its next phase, the focus will be on enhancing the feed libraries, refining the tool’s features, and expanding its reach across multiple regions. In parallel, Digital Green is planning to integrate this tool with its Farmer.Chat platform, which would further enhance the tool’s accessibility to farmers. This initiative represents a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture by making cutting-edge science accessible to farmers, enabling them to reduce costs, improve productivity, and reduce their environmental impact.

This collaboration between Global Methane Hub, UC Davis, Digital Green, Hawassa University, and other partners marks a transformative effort toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for dairy farming.

On October 15th, as we mark the International Day of Rural Women, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of women in rural communities. In Ethiopia, where women often face limited access to education, financial services, and leadership roles, programs like Digital Green’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are changing lives. These SHGs are more than just savings and loans—they are lifelines that offer women the chance to build confidence, leadership skills, and strong support networks that ripple across entire communities.

Digital Green has organized over 300 SHGs, empowering more than 7,600 women in Ethiopia. These women have collectively saved 19 million birr, and with the support of 8.3 million birr in capital funding, they’ve accessed loans to grow businesses, support their families, and invest in their futures. But beyond the numbers, it’s the personal stories of women like Belaynesh, Netsanet, and Gabite that truly showcase the impact of these groups.

For Belaynesh Fichola, a 30-year-old mother of three, the Dararcho SHG gave her the chance to rebuild her life after her husband’s death left her struggling to provide for her family. She began by selling fruits, but her business transformed when she secured a 6,000 ETB loan from the SHG. With that, Belaynesh started selling maize and flour, eventually expanding her business enough to buy livestock and create lasting stability for her children. Today, her assets are worth over 43,000 ETB, and her role in the community has grown too—she now serves as vice president of her SHG and a leader in women’s affairs in her kebele.

Netsanet Legamo, a 28-year-old from Bursa, used her SHG loan to support her family during a tough time. Despite having a teaching diploma, Netsanet couldn’t find work. When her husband fell ill, she took out a 5,000 ETB loan from her SHG, bought sheep, and slowly built a small livestock business. Her growing income allowed her to support her husband’s medical expenses and education, and today, she’s the primary earner in her household. Netsanet’s SHG not only helped her gain financial independence but also provided her with emotional support, helping her through a challenging period in her life.

For Gabite Kiea, a mother of six from Gucho village, the Elto SHG was a lifeline. After her husband passed away, Gabite struggled to run her small coffee shop. A 3,000 ETB loan from her SHG enabled her to start a poultry business, and with hard work, her income grew steadily. Gabite’s SHG didn’t just provide financial support—it offered her practical help, from plowing her fields to giving her the confidence to take charge of her family’s future.

These are just a few examples of the thousands of women in Ethiopia whose lives have been transformed through SHGs. By giving women access to financial tools, leadership training, and community support, these groups are creating lasting change—women are not only improving their own lives but also strengthening their entire communities.

As we celebrate the International Day of Rural Women, we’re reminded that empowering women empowers whole communities. Programs like Digital Green’s SHGs offer a path to financial stability, leadership opportunities, and a brighter future. There’s still more work to be done, but with continued support, more women will have the chance to rise above challenges and create lasting change for themselves and their families.

Let’s continue to invest in the strength of rural women. Their resilience, leadership, and ambition deserve our support—not just today, but every day.