Stories
October 23, 2024 • 2 min read
A couple of years ago, 36-year-old Iftu Umer, a mother of six, faced overwhelming challenges. Despite owning farmland, her family's income was limited, making it difficult to meet their basic needs. Providing a variety of nutritious food for her children was a constant struggle. She explored various ways to earn an additional income, but to no avail.
Empowering Female Farmers
In 2023, Iftu joined the USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)/Ifaa project, implemented by GOAL. This project is empowering female farmers to improve food security and nutrition outcomes in vulnerable communities in Ethiopia.
As one of the first women in her village to take part in the programme, Iftu immediately seized the opportunity. The project provided hands-on, practical training that enabled Iftu to improve her productivity and utilise her farmland more efficiently.
Iftu harvested 18 quintals of wheat, a significant increase from previous yields. With the surplus, she was able to sell a portion of the harvest and use the profit to purchase oxen and goats. Additionally, GOAL provided her with improved pullets, feeders, drinkers, and a feeding trough for her livestock, helping her to further improve her poultry and goat farming operations.
“It was an eye-opening opportunity. We already had the farmland and the time to produce better yields, but we didn’t have the knowledge and financial management skills,” Iftu explains. “Once we gained these, we understood that everything is interrelated. The training helped us to yield better harvests. And the income generated from the harvest helped us to diversify our income stream.”
Iftu with her goats, which she acquired with support from the Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)/Ifaa project.
Transforming Agricultural Livelihoods
In just two years, with GOAL’s support, Iftu transformed her life. She became a successful farmer, raising goats and managing a poultry business in her backyard.
“Now, I can provide better food and care for my family. My youngest son is more active and healthier than the others because of the improved food and care,” Iftu says. “I wish I had known earlier that I could have raised all my children better. Although I can’t change the past, I now work with other mothers, sharing what I’ve learned.”
Today, Iftu is empowering female farmers in her local community by leading a group of 12 mothers; guiding and supporting them in their farming and income-generating activities.
“I am grateful for the support GOAL provided me. I’ve asked to graduate from the programme so others who need help can benefit. I will build on what I have learned and ensure my children have a better life than mine.”
Iftu managing her poultry business after receiving support from GOAL.
