A new project supported by the Czech Development Agency is launching in Ethiopia’s Tigray region with the aim of restoring livelihoods for smallholder farmers and strengthening local communities’ resilience to climate change and the impacts of armed conflict. The Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (FTZ CZU Prague) is among the key partners contributing expertise in sustainable agriculture, value chain development and innovative technologies for rural development.
The project, titled Recovery of the Tigray Region: Sustainable Livelihoods through Access to Water and Value Chain Development, is implemented by a consortium led by People in Need, in cooperation with FTZ CZU Prague, the Czech organization Vše pro půdu, and Ethiopian partners including Mekelle University and regional institutions.
In recent years, the Tigray region has been heavily affected by armed conflict, which severely damaged agriculture, infrastructure and local economies. Many communities continue to face limited access to water, disrupted markets and increasingly frequent droughts, further threatening food security and the stability of rural livelihoods.
The project therefore combines the restoration of natural resources with economic recovery and innovation transfer. Its activities focus on improving water infrastructure for irrigation and household use, supporting agricultural production, stabilising yields and strengthening agricultural cooperatives. The initiative also promotes entrepreneurship and access to finance for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, alongside training in financial literacy, food quality and safety standards.
“The project responds to the urgent needs of the Tigray region while also promoting long-term sustainable solutions. An important aspect is connecting local farmers with expertise, innovation and markets that can help stabilise agricultural production and improve the economic resilience of local communities,” said Jiří Hejkrlík, Ph.D., who is coordinating the project on behalf of the Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences.
A key component of the initiative is the support of women and young people, who play an essential role in rebuilding local economies and modernising agriculture. The project is expected to directly support at least 590 smallholder farmers and three agricultural cooperatives.
FTZ CZU Prague contributes to the project through the transfer of Czech know-how and innovative technologies, particularly in efficient water management, energy-saving solutions and agricultural product processing. These technologies will be tested and adapted to local conditions in cooperation with Ethiopian partners, universities and private sector actors.
The project also strengthens long-term cooperation between Czech and Ethiopian institutions and demonstrates how science, education and practical experience can contribute to addressing global challenges related to food security and sustainable development.
