Cookies on oxfam

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our website. If you continue browsing, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Find out more

Oxfam in Ethiopia

Gebru Kahsay inspects his teff field with his grandson. Supporting farmers is a major element of Oxfam's programme in Ethiopia. Photo: Eva-Lotta Jansson/Oxfam America

From our staff

Mulu Tesfaye, Agriculture Programme Manager

 Oxfam is working here to help rural farmers earn a better living. We enable people to earn more and to have a say in decisions that affect their lives. It is my dream to see an Ethiopia free from food aid.

We've helped people start exporting crops directly to Europe. This is a transformation. But in terms of the biggest successes I've seen, one woman in particular comes to mind.

She is a member of one of the unions that Oxfam supports, and her dedication has made her an example for others to follow. The Prime Minister even gave her a prize that honours successful farmers.


Full details of what Oxfam is doing in Ethiopia (PDF, 284KB)

East Africa food crisis

Millions of people in East Africa continue to face desperate food shortages following the worst drought in 60 years.

East Africa food crisis

The impact of our work: School text books

Video: Textbooks to Ethiopia

Thanks to your support, children in this Ethiopian class each have their own textbook.

Video: Textbooks to Ethiopia

In 2010-11 Oxfam helped:

1,200,000
people in
Ethiopia



You can help

Support our East Africa drought appeal.

Donate now 

You may also be interested in:

Related reports and papers

Snapshot of Oxfam in Ethiopia

Photo 1/10 photo by: Tom Pietrasik

Bayush (pictured) lives in the village of Amba Sebat in a small thatched hut with no running water or electricity. With Oxfam's support, she and 30 other women have set up a small co-operative which jointly owns and farms a plot of land. The group grows crops such as sesame which they sell to the local farmers' union at fixed prices higher than those offered by private traders. They've also received loans and training to help them increase their yields.

  • Bayush (pictured) lives in the village of Amba Sebat in a small thatched hut with no running water or electricity. With Oxfam's support, she and 30 other women have set up a small co-operative which jointly owns and farms a plot of land. The group grows crops such as sesame which they sell to the local farmers' union at fixed prices higher than those offered by private traders. They've also received loans and training to help them increase their yields.
  • As well as providing agricultural support to farmers we also work with communities to find new ways of supplementing their income. In Amhara, where there is a long tradition of harvesting honey, we’ve been supporting the Zembaba Bee Products Development and Marketing Co-operative Union to help small producers develop their honey production and reap the maximum rewards of their labour. Here, members weigh their honey for sale.
  • Recurrent drought badly affected rural areas of Ethiopia in 2011 where around 85% of the population live. Oxfam works with communities to help them be better prepared to cope with water shortages through the construction of water points (pictured), helping rehabilitate land and providing animal care and support. When drought tips over into crisis we are ready to respond.

The impact of our work

 We have no land to farm so it has always been hard for us to make money. For years we have just been eating one small meal a day. But the bee hives have changed that. Now we are able to afford clothing.


Wubalem Shiferaw, member of Oxfam supported beekeepers co-operative