Path to End Poverty (PEP): The Case of Ejere District in Oromiya Region, Ethiopia

This project examined the need to assist poor farmers who live in Ethiopia, Oromia region, Ejere district, Cheer Kebele. The qualitative research method was applied in order to know the exact situation of the farmers. These were face-to-face interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and detailed case studies. These three-way approaches were undertaken so that dependable data could be drawn from the research questions. With these methods, a total of 20 household heads were interviewed. FGD was undertaken with 14 household heads. I had discussions with six district AO and six LFDO experts and two Das. I also did a detailed case study on two family heads. Based on the collected primary data, it was concluded that there is absolute poverty in Chire kebele. The main reason for the poverty was identified as low productivity caused by climate change, lack of modern technology, drought, lack of money to buy oxen, and being unable to apply the required amount of fertilizer on the small amount of land they own. Furthermore, lack of access to finances because of lack of collateral contributed to low labor productivity and the inability to purchase modern technology. The only asset they have is their land, and they have indicated that they don’t want to give it as collateral since they are afraid of losing it in case they could not pay back the loan. Hence, these poor farmers contract out the small plot of land they own to oxen owners to plow where the oxen owners take 50% of the harvest.
Based on the data collected and the analysis conducted, the poor farmers are suffering from a lack of food that results in insufficient food to feed the whole family for a year. Due to the deep-rooted poverty, from every angle, the family heads could not send their children to school because they cannot fulfill the requirements of the school, such as buying uniforms, exercise books, books, pens, and pencils, which could have paved the way for long-term development. Based on the interviews with 20 family heads and the detailed research conducted with two family heads and the analyzed data, this project revealed that poverty has been running from family to family for decades. The grandparents and parents before them were poor. The only thing they inherited from their parents was the small plot of land, which they could not even plow and harvest on their own since they don’t own oxen.
To implement the project entitled Path to End Poverty (PEP), the existing policy of the government, which limits to 10% of the fund to come from international sources and the remaining 90% from local funding, might hamper the implementation of the project. The government policy is a limitation for these poor farmers since there are many more Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) looking for funding, in the country than those funding organizations.
Looking at the Vicious Circle of Poverty (VCP) in Ejere district, Chire Kebele, and the government’s limitation on funding, it can be concluded that alleviating poverty in the area might take time and needs patience and courage from those planning to help the poor. The action to improve the situation cannot be taken separately but can only be accomplished by joining hands with government, donors, and the private sector.