@USAIDEthiopia – Ethiopian Business Review

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Heineken Ethiopia, in partnership with Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development (MSD), officially handed over a new ETB 33 million animal fattening and food processing project today. The initiative is designed to uplift impoverished households in Kilinto and Koye Fetche through sustainable, livestock-based, and small-business income generation schemes.

Targeting 75 households—30 in Kilinto and 45 in Koye Fetche—the project aims to bolster grassroots livelihoods by integrating communities into profitable agricultural value chains. Beneficiaries will engage in animal fattening, dairy production, poultry farming, and small-scale agribusinesses, sectors that remain essential for local food security and economic resilience.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Heineken Ethiopia’s Managing Director, Bart De Keninck emphasized the transformative impact of livestock farming on rural and peri-urban communities. They pledged continued support through technical training, market linkages, and sustainable management practices to ensure the project’s long-term success.

The multi-pronged initiative provides selected households with livestock, feed, veterinary services, training in food processing, and business development skills. It places a strong emphasis on empowering women, female-headed households, and people with disabilities, identified through a collaborative selection process involving Heineken, MSD, community members, and local government representatives.

Beyond economic upliftment, the project seeks to strengthen social cohesion and nurture local entrepreneurship, with Heineken pledging continued support through technical capacity building, market linkages, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices.

Ethiopia has harvested 1.6 million hectares of wheat from its summer irrigated farming program, with 98 million quintals expected to be produced in the ongoing fall season. The Ministry of Agriculture has already sown 3.5 million hectares of land this year, as part of its efforts to boost national wheat production.

Speaking to ENA, Isayas Lemma, the CEO of Crop Development at the Ministry, highlighted that the country is working to increase both production and productivity by enabling farmers to grow crops throughout the year in the summer, spring, and fall irrigated areas. This strategy is designed to ensure food security and reduce dependence on wheat imports.

The increase in production is attributed to expanding the area covered by seeds, utilizing previously uncultivated land, and applying modern agricultural technology and high-quality seeds. These factors have contributed to higher yields and improved productivity.

This year, Ethiopia plans to produce 172 million quintals of wheat from the summer irrigated cultivation alone, with harvesting already underway for the early-sown crops.

For the fall season, 2 million hectares have been sown out of the 3.7 million hectares planned. The target for fall production is 98 million quintals, in line with Ethiopia’s push for year-round food production and greater agricultural self-sufficiency.

Heineken Ethiopia Launches ETB 33 Million Livelihood Project to Empower Vulnerable Families in Kilinto and Koye Fetche

Ethiopia Boosts Wheat Production with 1.6 Million Hectares Harvested and 3.5 Million Hectares Sown