GFAR blog

YAP proposal #160: Green Ago Mechanization (Abrhame Endrias, Ethiopia)

Pictorial frameworkWho are we?

This story is about Abrhame Endrias, a 29-year-old agripreneur from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I built my company, Green Agro Mechanization, in 2013, offering inclusive farming services to farmers. I am also a lecturer in Arsi University, Department of Management.

I teach various business courses, conduct community projects, and consult. I am interested in mechanization, environment friendly crop chemicals, climate change, and sustainable farming.

What do we do?

Green Agro Mechanization works with small landholder farmers in the Arsi and Bale zones of Oromiya region, where 65% of the country’s wheat production is sourced. Currently my company has 19 workers—13 permanent and 6 temporary; 15 of them are men and 4 are women, aged 17–35.

Low productivity is a serious issue for me as it challenges food security and better income. Traditional farming practice (using oxen to plough, harrow, and harvest) and using outdated crop chemicals are the main challenges for productivity, and which I think can be avoided.

The majority of the farmers owns a small amount of land and cannot afford to buy machinery. In addition to this, farmers use crop chemicals when available and affordable, regardless of their effectiveness.

My company is providing tractors, planters, crop chemicals, and harvesters to small landholder farmers for rent at affordable prices and supplying crop chemicals. I have seen improvement in productivity: in some farms productivity increased 2.3 tonnes to 5.9 tonnes per hectare (my observation).

Our company focuses on offering services: including ploughing, harrowing, planting and harvesting accompanied with farm credit service.

The farm credit service benefits poor farmers, as they pay 60% of the mechanization service they use and the chemical they buy, and the rest is covered by our company; with harvest day the agreed maturation date.

We developed this package to support rural young, women, and hardworking poor farmers who hold an average of 1.25 acres of land, and to maintain a long-term relationship with farmers, which guarantees the sustainability of our company.

So far we are taking the risk, in case of default, by ourselves and now we are working with Oromiya microfinance to facilitate farmers’ payment through the bank, which will minimize the risk level.

Currently, an ICT solution from Uganda is undertaking web-based mobile applications to follow up and track our beneficiary farmers. The mobile app will be very helpful in delivering climate data and credit packages to small landholder farmers.

We have a good relationship with crop chemical importers, which facilitates credit modality for our orders. We have good communications with local government administrators, enabling us to use government resources and cooperate when needed.

So far, we have offered mechanization and farm credit service to 12,000 and 69 farmers across Bale and Arsi zones respectively. These services ease problems such as access to mechanization and finance.

The other problem challenging us from progress is farmers’ low financial literacy. To address these problems and grow, I am working with Agriculture Transformation Agency (ATA) and USAID to open farmer service centre at two sites and train 3,000 farmers on average every year. The training will include how to record expenses, set prices, calculate profits, and make plans.

This will help us a lot in expanding our business and make a sustainable relationship with farmers. We have also a plan to link the farmer service centre to Arsi University and Meda Walabu University, so that researchers can link their study outcome to the farmer’s farm field.

Farm credit service beneficiaries
Why
do we do it?

In 2010 I was doing vegetable farming and I found it difficult to access tractor services in the area. The farm went well for 16 months and then was hit by a market price fall which results enormous loss. I found no company to offer me a credit for input so that I can restart the farm. That leads me to switch my business to merchandise at least for the time being.

In 2014 when I go back to Agribusiness, I decided to buy agricultural machineries and serve small land holding farmers (to solve access to mechanization). Many brave young and women rural farmers are quitting agriculture and migrating to town because no one is there to support them by offering credit facility in which it was also one of my biggest challenges while doing vegetable farm. So we designed a farm credit service (to solve access to finance).

We see our bright future through our projects. We are earning money and paying our bank loan on time though challenging to collect credit from farmers. We are also expanding our company by purchasing additional agricultural equipments and outreaching more rural farmers. The community is accessing mechanization service and farm credit service. Their productivity is increasing and earning extra income which in turn helping them raise in standard of living.

How do we do it?

Our company has been operational since 2013 and has contact stations in five different rural areas. We are working very closely with farmers and our staff are visible when farmers need them.

Based on the farming calendar, we plough, harrow, plant, and harvest at a fair price by offering farm credit service as a motivation. We have one agronomist who follows up with farmers and recommends the use of environmental friendly chemicals at the right time.

We bought tractor with its accessories, planter, chemical sprayer, and combine harvester, investing 40% equity and 60% bank loan, to be paid in quarterly over five years.

Improving yield productivity and financial literacy among farmers is our major success factor. So far, compared with our base line study, we have seen significant changes in productivity and progress in financial literacy in our target area. We have to work hard to sustain the result and to reach more farmers.

How will we spend the USD 5,000?

The Budget plan is:

Mobile app development and installation USD 1,800
Mini-Server and apparatus (partial coverage) USD 2,100
Accommodation and training fee field officers (3 x 20 x 5) USD 300
Document and voucher printing for farm credit service (2 x 210) USD 420
Miscellaneous and emergency USD 390 

Blogpost and picture submitted by Abrhame Endrias (Ethiopia): Abrhameendrias[at]yahoo.com

The content, structure and grammar are at the discretion of the author only.

 

This post is published as proposal #160 of “YAP” – our “Youth Agripreneur Project”.

The first selection of the winners will be based on the number of comments, likes and views each proposal gets.

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Have a look at the other “YAP” proposals too!


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“YAP” is part of the #GCARD3 process, the third Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development.

593 thoughts on “YAP proposal #160: Green Ago Mechanization (Abrhame Endrias, Ethiopia)”

  1. Access to credit has been a major challenge for pro poor farmers for so long. Attempting to address that issue along with mechanisation services is invaluable. Good luck

    1. Good observation. I have seen your research work on pro poor farmers and learnt a lot. Looking to work with you.

  2. Good job Abresh! Just my first comment.
    Abresh, I think you forgot ‘r’ (Agro) in the topic “YAP proposal #160: Green Ago Mechanization”

    1. Thanks tege, I just came to know once it is online. This one was a draft but posted. I will send you the final version. Thanks again

    2. Dear Tegegn and Readers, This was supposed to be posted on this blog. Unfortunately I mistakenly sent the early draft to the web administrator. Since the policy do not allow us to change what was already posted, I ask you guys to read the final version here. I apologize for the inconvenience. Enjoy the story.

      One Stop Farming Solution – Green Agro Mechanization (Abrhame Endrias- Ethiopia)

      Who are we?
      This story is about Abrhame Endrias, a 29 years old agripreneur from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I establish Green Agro Mechanization, in 2013, and start offering inclusive farming services to farmers. I am also a lecturer in Arsi University, department of management. I teach various business courses, conduct community projects and consult companies that work on farmer livelihoods. I am interested in mechanization, supplying environment friendly crop chemicals and sustainable farming. I can be reached out via mobile phone +251911491211 and email: abrhameendrias@yahoo.com
      What do we do?
      Green Agro Mechanization works with small land holding farmers in Arsi and Bale zone of Oromiya region where 65% of the country’s wheat production is sourced. While writing this story, 19 full time employees are working for the company under one shared value: “Making farms and markets work to the farmer”
      My company is renting tractors, planters, crop chemicals and harvesters to small land holder farmers for affordable price and supplying crop chemicals. Emphasis has been given also on offering ploughing, harrowing, planting, harvesting and facilitating farm credit services. I have seen improvement in productivity and in some farms productivity increased 2.3 ton to 5.9 ton per hectare (my observation). I arranged farm credit service for poor farmers in a way that they pay only 60% of the mechanization service and chemical expenses during farming season. The rest will be covered by our company as interest free farm loan to be paid during harvesting season.
      By introducing this innovative credit facility I aim to (1) create loan access to pro-poor small land holder farmers, most of them are women, who have been ignored/marginalized by big banks and local financial institutions due to huge collateral requirements; (2) encourage farmers to become more innovative and market oriented; and (3) maintain long term relationship so that we can sustain and grow together.
      To avoid financial distress from retaining all the default risk, my company is working with Oromia Micro Finance. Besides I am currently undertaking a massive farm ICT solution project using web based mobile applications in collaboration with Uganda (Solution International LTD) to help us track and update our credit package beneficiaries. The ICT solution will also help farmers get climate data including weather forecasts, real time market prices for their products. I believe the good working relationship I have with the local government, major farm chemical importers, national agricultural training and research institutes and other stakeholders make the project worth the journey regardless of the obstacles.
      So far my company has offered mechanization and farm credit service to 12,450 and 69 farmers respectively across Bale and Arsi zones of the Oromiya region. Despite the progress, farmer’s low financial literacy has been a big problem and required due attention. To address the problem, I am working with Ethiopian Agriculture Transformation Agency (ATA) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to open farmer service center in two sites and train 3000 farmers yearly. The training will include how to record expense, set price, calculate profit and make plan. This will help my company a lot in expanding our business and make a sustainable relationship with farmers. I have also a plan to link the Farmer service center to Arsi University and Meda Walabu University so that researchers can link their study outcome to farmer’s farm field.
      Why do we do it?
      In a country where 95% of the food supply is worryingly dependent on the rural smallholder farmers accounting 85% of the population, what will ever go right if agriculture goes wrong? (Aderajew Shumet, Maastricht University)
      In few lines, I share you my story that inspired me for what it to become a turning point in my life. At 23, I start vegetable farming by leasing land from a local farmer. I was vibrant business minded but inexperienced entrepreneur. The vegetable farm went well for 16 months until unanticipated price fall hit us hard and led to ultimate bankruptcy. To start over was an impossible as there was no access to credit and no one was working to help those hit by the crisis get back to business.
      That leads me to switch my business to merchandise at least for the time being. In 2014 when I go back to Agribusiness, I decided to buy agricultural machineries and serve small land holding farmers (to solve access to mechanization). Many brave young rural farmers are quitting agriculture and migrating to town because no one is there to support them by offering credit facility in which it was also one of my biggest challenges while doing vegetable farm. So I designed a farm credit service (to solve access to finance).
      We see our bright future through our projects. We are earning money and paying our bank loan on time though challenging to collect credit from farmers. We are also expanding our company by purchasing additional agricultural equipments and outreaching more rural farmers. The community is accessing mechanization service and farm credit service. The improvement in productivity and quality help farmers get good price in markets that ultimately will raise the standard of living in the long run.
      How do we do it?
      Our company is already operational since 2013 and has a contact station in 5 different rural areas (Qoshe, Eteya, Robe, Delo Sebro, Harewa). We are working very closely with rural farmers and our staffs are reachable when farmers need them. Based on the farming calendar, my company plough, harrow, plant and harvest on fair price and interestingly also offer farm credit service on motivational base. Agronomists in my company follow up farmers and persistently work with them on scientific application of environmental friendly and sustainable farm chemicals. I bought tractor with its accessories, planter, chemical sprayer and combine harvester investing 40% equity and 60% bank loan to be paid in quarterly for 5 year time.
      Improving yield productivity and financial literacy among farmers is our major success factor. So far, comparing with our base line study, we have seen significant changes in productivity and progress in financial literacy is our target. I believe me and my colleagues have to work hard to sustain the result and to outreach more farmers.

      The Budget plan:
      Mobile app development and installation = $1600
      Mini-Server and apparatus (partial coverage) = $1900
      Preparation of usage manual for farmers = $340
      Accommodation and training fee field officers (3 * 20 *5) = $ 300
      Document and voucher printing for farm credit service (2*210) = $420
      Miscellaneous = $190
      Contingency (5%) = $252

      Thank you.

    1. Tade, I can’t agree more. Sustainability is one of the core point in my business. We will work hard to reach out more farmers and assure sustainability. But do you have any clue how we can achieve this in a mass scale?

  3. This is a brilliant and very applicable idea for most farmers in developing countries.

    1. Thanks Dr. As you said this can work in many African country. I appreciate if you have any related thought on this. Wiyh respect

    2. Thanks Dr. As you said this can work in many African country. I appreciate if you have any related thought on this. With respect

  4. Dear Abraham;

    I’m very much delighted on your newly green agro mechanization proposal. Because this idea would be very helpful for those farmers to inject new/moderen agricultural practices and advancemt tool to their old age traditional way of practice; oxen and plough.

    Keep going Abraham.

    1. Dear Joseph, Do you know we have 12 million oxes in Ethiopia and we have not more than 3000 tractors? … Without increasing the farm land size we can add productivity through mechanization. But I want idea from ICT expert like you. How the app will be accessible without android and old version phones…

    2. The mobile app. revolutionizing agricultural practices in some African countries, Kenya will be exemplary in this. In a recent report commissioned by Vodafone, a global telecom provider, and completed by Accenture, a consultancy, the impact of mobile app. in driving sustainable farming was assessed through a value chain approach. The report found significant scope for impact throughout the agricultural sector, including enhancing farming efficiency and improving access for smallholders to market.

      When i come to your question, andriod platform have the following advantage over other platforms. to mention some

      1. it’s largely supposed by Google
      2. it’s open and free
      3. . It’s pretty much runs on everything on mobile and otherwise
      4. It’s the current market leader

      Good luck!

  5. Modernizing agricultural pracice is crucial isue in Ethiopia whose 85% of the population livelihood dependent on it. In this regard Abraham’s Green Agro Mechanization is paramount for Ethiopian farmers via boosting productivity

    1. Thank you brother Manaye, I appreciate your understanding about the livelihood of rural farmers.

  6. Dear Mr Abreham,
    It is a pleasure to read your proposal. I appreciate your efforts and courage to support those smallholder farmers, specially those hardworking woman and young farmers. As a researcher, I know how challenging it is to access input credit and those services you want to provide in package. For me, access to input credit, working on financial literacy and supporting farmers with proper agricultural expertise follow up and advices …..are all your proppsed service..
    .and they all mans a lot in filling the missing gap for these marginalised smallholders.

    It is my hope that this project will pass all the coming stages and become a reality.

    1. Shambe, regardless of the compeitition result we will proceed n implement the project at its best. Thank you.
      But future is always uncertain….Do you see any bigger challenge that hampers our company from success … ?

  7. Going through your proposal I really got encouraged by your business model and the success you have achieved. Am so glad Africa has such great minds who are determined to help the poor and make a better life for them. It’s a good and inspiring project, keep it up!

  8. This is brilliant approach to modernize our backward farming process, thank you for taking the initiative to give a helping hand for those in need.
    Good luck!

    1. Dear brother, Africa is in revolution…it’s not a choice but a must to innovate. Looking a better tommorrow. Cheers

  9. Access to Credit has been a major problem for pro-poor farmers. A project to help those farmers get access to credit along with farm mechanisation service is priceless. Good Luck

  10. Its good how agriculture has transformed from traditional farming practises to modern and good practises keep it up

    1. Carl, we seek to outreach more farmers in the coming two years by increasing our capacity by double that includes machinaries, work force and beneficiaries. Looking finance support from bank, Grant and owns equity. We are also working on our human capital…which is our secret to success.

  11. Wonderful young man! Significant majority of farmers in those areas are low literate learners in need of practical solutions. Your approach is a step forward. Good job!

    1. Thanks Dr. Gemechu. If you see any gaps and remedials on financial literature and rural farmers……you are most welcome.

  12. In a country where Agricultural Led Industralization Policy is a weapon to tackle poverity, young entrepreneurs like Mr. Abraham Endrias are the bullets ! Keep it up Abraham! I want to say thanks by the name of Arsi & Bale Farmers.

  13. KEEP KEEP KEEP KEEP STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE PLEASE
    ABRAHAM I KNOW YOU WELL. YOU WILL ACHIEVE ANY CHALLENGES AS USUAL.
    JUST DO IT
    YOU ARE A MAGNIFICENT POWER.
    GOOD LUCK

    1. Thanks Dr. Gemechu. If you see any gaps and remedials on financial literature and rural farmers……you are most welcome.

  14. This is a remarkable intervention for our farming communities and subsistence farmers, who have always been confronted with reversible, but unattended challenges. I observe significant contributions in your endeavor; as such your commitment to provide finance to the farmers, who usually lack access to credit and introducing mechanization to address problems that relate to poor farming practices in the local areas are highly valuable. I hope you will replicate this logic in a number of other farming communities, up and down the country. I believe, before long, your start up will have unparalleled impact in transforming the living standard of millions of farming communities across our country. God Bless!

    1. Jhon, once it’s impact proven worthy it will be duplicated to other rural community through farmer unions. That’s why I am working with unions and universities.

  15. Access to finance and getting mechanization services for credit for sure will motivate more farmers to be more committed to their farming work and it will help them to be productive.

    1. Mati… don’t forget what we talked last time about access to finance… waiting your research results. Cheers

  16. Wow I really appreciate your efforts to change the agricultural sector to the modern one , specially your focus groupsh hard working woman and young farmers.
    Nice initiative to ahead.

  17. Great news for the agricultural sector changing the system in such a way.it will minimize theirs time and increase their productivity.

    Go ahead

  18. Hello abraham, its really great to know that someone has build such a great social venture. I really interest with the fact that you are able to ensure bank to lend money to farmers, because in my country its hard to do that since the risk in agricultural sector is too high. I really want to know more about your project. Is it possible to contact me by mail? Thank you very much.

    Best,
    Fitriani Saputra
    Vivi.naru@yahoo.com

    1. I am more than happy to share the experiance anywhere in Africa. I am confident about the scalability of the project.

  19. getting credit access to the farmers and improving farm mechanisation are two importnat keys for the agricultural development of a nation like ethiopia.
    good luck!

    1. Access to credit is sometime a motivation factor. Researches revealed those who has access to credit works hard and repayment could be taken us driving force

  20. Supporting this idea is supporting millions of small scaled farmers; most appreciated. Abrham Endrias’s farming concepts worth enough support.

  21. I really appreciate your business model as it targets major portion (about 85%) of the population. The financial literacy issue you mentioned is a real problem in developing countries like Ethiopia as people could not easily validate the value and hence help them create confidence to embrace the services they get from such businesses. Your plan of opening Farmer Service center to address this issue and the use of mobile app to follow up the beneficiaries is plausible and worth supporting. Good Luck!

    1. Thank you tesfish. .. financial literacy is given minimum or almost no attention. But we should encourage rural farmers to consider farming as a business not as a life. Educating them about financial literacy would help to bring this.

  22. Dear Abrhame: It is a very good start to improve the livelihood of our rural poor farmers and hoping u will make a difference in upgrading the rainfed agriculture for the small holder farmers.

      1. Dear Abrahame: I always appreciate your visionary mind, especially in empowering the poor farmers for building self sufficency through providing farming service & credit facilities. This is a powerful lever for fighting poverty. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK & GOOD LUCK!

  23. Go on Abresh, we need lots of people like you helping others to grow while achieving sustainability in their company and others.

  24. Mr. Abrhame you come up with great innovative idea, which will contributes on productivity and food security. A number of Empirical studies also suggested that create access to credit for farmers play a pivotal role in improving productivity of farmers, the same is true here in Ethiopia.
    Keep up the Good work!!!

  25. Dear Abrish !

    First I appreciate your idea ! as Green Supply Chain Management is a part of my research too. As we can see on different stages of the various international and national gatherings, forums, workshops, conferences, symposium and the like, climate change and green thinking becomes the contemporary global management philosophy which is the daily leaders and managers conversation at the edge of complex and dynamic business world. Therefore, Green Ago Mechanization is believed to have the paramount significance for farmers in particular and to the surrounding area in general. Keep contributing you part to change the traditional farming practice (which has been the bottleneck for the productivity) to the mechanized one. Wish you all the best in your future endeavor.

  26. Dear Abrish !
    First I appreciate your idea! as Green Supply Chain Management is a part of my research too. As we can see on different stages of the various international and national gatherings, forums, workshops, conferences, symposium and the like, climate change and green thinking becomes the contemporary global management philosophy which is the daily leaders and managers conversation at the edge of complex and dynamic business world. Therefore, Green Ago Mechanization is believed to have the paramount significance for farmers in particular and to the surrounding area in general. Keep contributing you part to change the traditional farming practice (which has been the bottleneck for the productivity) to the mechanized one. Wish you all the best in your future endeavor.

    1. It’s great you mentioned a climate change. We also work on climate change and sustainable farming.

  27. Dear Abraham,
    What you are doing is simply amazing! I hope you will win this competition and help millions of subsistence farmers in the country. All the best!

  28. This is a very progressive concept. Supporting this is supporting millions of Ethiopians. Please go for this proposal and let it prosper.

  29. Seems like a good idea. It can serve as a classic example of how agriculture can be supported by the education sector, which is often an isand isolated in its own world, not contributing as much to the needs of the people who can make the bestimate out of it. Especially in Ethiopia, where young intellectuals are often driven to cities, you have taken the goodwill to do the opposite to serve the people who need your expertise the most. And, yes, farmers can best be served when they get the hands-on training and tools (information) they need at their disposal. Really commendable.

  30. Using Science and Technology advancement in Agriculture is very essential for the Country like Ethiopia whose economy is mainly depends on Agriculture. Mr. Endrias’s work will play a significant role in tackling one of the problem farmers are facing.

  31. Please come to Kenya and teach our small scale farmers on such issues of economic tillage…. I would be happy if the farmers in Kenya came together and invested on such techniques. Continue with the good work of sustainable agriculture and embracing one of the SDGs.

  32. Creating awareness on the way of farming and usage of different chemicals is crucial to be productive, Keep it up!!

  33. Hi Abresh, I am from a very poor farmere. this is what a wonderfull project. I know our farmers problems detail. Your idea is very interesting. Go ahead you will be successed atlist your sutisfaction

  34. This is great indeed!
    In the logo, you can rearrange the three key describers of the company as follows:
    Innovation/Impact/Sustainability.
    Keep up the good work.

    1. Thanks Dr. Kindie… you are right. Innovation should come before impact. Comment accepted

  35. Dear Abrham I am delighted with your research idea as it brings basic solution for our country farmers & agricultural development limtation. I would like to say keep it up & good luck!

  36. Dear Abrham I am excited with your research idea as it brings basic solution for our country farmers & agricultural development limtation. I would like to say keep it up & good luck!

    1. Thanks Bete, we have to grow with them as far as we are dependent on foods coming from rural small land holders farmer’s.

  37. Great job Mr. Abraham, only such kind of projects can address people on the bottom of the pyramid, that we consider it as a sustainable development and a solution for our beloved Africa.

    We always appreciate the exemplary job you doing to our people. We stand by your side always.

    Keep it up!

    1. Dear Dr. Eskinder, I also appreciate CBE team support whenever I visit your place. That’s really a lot to me.

  38. WOW!!! this is really amazing. i;m specially impressed with the fact that you;re using mobile apps to assist the farmers. keep it up!!

  39. Dear Abrham, I am very amazed with your idea and it became a good solution for Ethiopian farmers.
    Keep it up!!

  40. Dear Abraham Endriyas first of all I would like to appreciate your hard work and your idea is very interesting and it would really help farmers and your project is very useful for Ethiopia farmer’s livelihood. “Helping farmers is helping our country “since farming is our country back born and your idea is very great and it is my best wish to win and keep your work. Cheers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  41. it an amazing Idea Mr Abraham please go for it. and I wish you all the best of luck for you and our farmers.

  42. I apppreciate the analysis that you made within the conceptual framework of modern agriculturall method hope you will be fruitful and shows the way who suffer more in traditional farming. May God gives you strengthen throughout your mission.

    1. Thanks Tewold … tradational farming is not only make farmet to suffer but also put them in risk and anxiety as it ends up with less quality and volume output.

  43. Dear Abraham, you appeared not only with the research paper or ideas, but also with solutions for our biggest problem that majority people (farmers) are facing for centuries. poor inputs, like seeds, plant material, water, fertilizers and pesticides, and farming methods keep Ethiopian smallholder farmers far below the world averages for agricultural productivity. most our production system is still very traditional. Farmers need to have information sources to better understand regional or global trends in their specialties. They need to stay up-to-date with the latest training and production techniques. I believe government, people who have ambition on what you are doing should stand with you. Unfortunately i’m not expertise with this field, however i am always with you. God bless!!

  44. You’ve made a very good plan! We need to develop our method of producing crops and methods of harvesting, and yours is one of those brilliant ideas!

  45. I appreciate your idea Abresh in order to transform our backward farming system to modern system it brings basic solution keep it up

  46. U have brought a great idea to the farmers of not only Ethiopia but also for those in other developing nations.
    Good job Abraham & Good Luck!!!

  47. Thanks Abrahm for integrating the socio-economic, technology and environmental aspects of sustainable development. This will be the best experience to expand not only in Ethiopia but also other developing nations too. Because this project improves the livelihood of the community by using and implementing the social-capital that was built by its (the society) own life experience.

    Keep it up!!!

  48. You are the star. Your project will bring sustainable economic development in Ethiopia and in Africa as well. Keeping your hard working to change the living conditions of our people. Well done Abriham!!!

  49. You are the star. Your project will bring sustainable economic development in Ethiopia and in Africa as well. Keeping your hard work to change the living conditions of our people

  50. Dear Mr. Abraham, thanks for your critical analysis of the existing economic problem of small household farmers in enhancing their productivity and maximizing the benefit from their farm. I think, now, it is the right time that the agricultural sector has to undertake structural reform supported by modernization, innovation and integration with other sectors. Your project has addressed this issues and I hope it will improve the socioeconomic development of the majority of farmers.

  51. Abrish, i apreciate your proposal and u can reach to your dream. You know our farmers need strong and hard working merit person like you. And i hope you will have another project which focused on climate change impact basically “Elino” . Good luck!!!

    1. Mechanization by itself some how helps for climate. Our next phase is we are planning to use afforesration as a selection criteria for farm credit service

  52. Abrish , i apreciate your proposal. Our farmers need such a strong and merit person .

  53. Good job Abraham, could you please let me know hiw your work is going to be any different from what the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency is doing regarding the voucher system?
    Thank you.

    1. Dear Martha, the voucher ATA using is somehow goverment level guaranteed but in my case my company is taking the full risk. Starting from 2016 we are working to transfer the risk you local MFIs.

  54. It is a promising idea that could benefit millions farming on plots of land. that is what We need; Social Entrepreneur. Good luck bro

  55. This is a very interesting and innovative ideas which can solve practical problems of small farmers. I appreciate your initiatives to translate theories into practices which is hardly observed in scientific communities. Wish you full of success!

  56. DearAbrish
    i am old friend of you from Goro high school, and i got amaized when i saw a post through Zemelak, i am remote sensig specialist in profession and intetested to incorporate satellite deriven index based crop insurance in addition to credit service. do you already think about such type of insurance too bcz it is a key to resist if something goes wrong with the yeild. Good Job and Good luck!!!

    Abdi Jemal

    1. Amlaku…yea you are right. Arsi is one of the new generation university. I was working in Adama University from 2006 to 2014. since Nov 2014…I am working in AU

      1. I like your idea so much. Keep on moving, move faster bro. Wish you all the best. We also need many more peoples like you,

  57. wow. This is an incredible job and a massive opportunity to be utilized by farmers at large in a country whose economy is highly dominated by agriculture. well done and noted.

  58. Dear Abraham,

    I really appreciate your enthusiasm and amused by the proposal. Yes I agree, even though there are different strategies designed to reach the pro poor farmers in the rural part of Ethiopia we couldn’t achieve the expected result so far. Such kind of innovative ideas should come from every corner to bring our dream real. In my experience, I have also noticed limited access for credit is the bottle neck for pro poor farmers specially the women. The micro finance institutions are there but their working procedures inhibits these groups to get loan due their lengthy procedures and co-laterals as you mentioned in your proposal. The default in loan reimbursement would be a challenge when you work with these target group but hope you will look solution for this.

    The technological innovation is worth-full to our local area and it raised my expectation of your project. Totally I agree with your proposal and I appreciate your effort. Keep up your good work and I wish you success in this competition.

    1. Thanks Thomas… young n women’s are given due attention in this project. You made a very constructive suggestions. … stay blessed n thank you

  59. I am very proud.I hope the propose idea will change millions life. I wish your dream make it happen.

  60. This is a marvellous idea particularly for our farmers. If it is scaled up through out the country, for sure it will change the life of farmers in the country.

  61. This is exactly what we need in most of Ethiopian countrysides these days. I like the idea and am sure it will change many lives.

  62. Improved and selective agricultural mechanization technologies will play such an important role; reducing overall work burden of farmer and enabling them to do better work in more effective and productive way.Such research outputs will be of a great importance not only for farmers, but also for development planners, extension system, and policy makers as well.Abrish i appreciate your inovative thinking.

  63. In my opinion this is one of best business idea as well as has a huge importance for country’s economy. Besides, providing and distribution of agricultural products among local community.

  64. It is a very wonderful proposal I think. I liked and am sure it will work really well. I support your idea and wish you good luck.

  65. I like your idea so much. Keep moving,……move faster bro, We need many more peoples like you

  66. I like your idea so much. Keep on moving, move faster bro. Wish you all the best. We also need many more peoples like you,

  67. Great job. I really appreciate your efforts to provide such facilities and overcome the existing challenges of farmers in rural areas. I also liked your idea of how you are going to spend the budge. I mean your plan, make it easier for farmers to access your company and benefit from the services and it will help your company to be equipped well and develop and extend the service to other areas. It will be a good model for the places facing similar problems. I liked your idea and support it, and wish you all the best to win this competition.

  68. I am proud of this work. That is what most farmers in poor countries like Ethiopia lack. I hope you will get good credit for what you have done and I believe you need more assistance from different stakeholders. Good job Abrisho go on!

  69. I appreciate your unthinkable work this is the best solution for Ethiopian farmers and the best initiatives for others those who want to work on the field. This is so wonderful idea keep it up and go beyond.

    1. Farmers need a model which is easy for them to capture lesson and experiance. Other east Africa nations are better than us in promoting such a model

  70. To boost our countries development, I strongly believe your idea is one of the inputs. Good Luck !!

  71. To boost our country development, strongly I believe your idea is one of the inputs. Good Luck !!

  72. This is a marvolous Idea for the poor farmers of Ethiopia. Wishing that your idea will be expanded to the poor farmers in the whole country. My best wishes for you Dear Abrahame. good Luck. You are now standing on the core solution for the majority of the farmers problem in Ethiopia.

  73. Good Job Abrish! It is true and experiences of south Asian Green Revolution tell us farmers’ literacy, inclusive financial access ( micro finance and micro insurance), mechanization and organized marketing system are keys to close food insecurity problem in that country.Think about Marketing too. It is one of the major problem that Ethiopian farmers are facing. Keep it up my friend and good luck!!

  74. Transformation into this Area is very important for fighting poverty of the Ethiopian farmer. Your idea/project is contributing a lot for our development. Great job.

  75. It is really quite interesting to see young Agriprenur individual just like Abrhame in a counntry where agriculture contribute 38% of the GDP….But ma question is how can ur study might make a difference in addreseing issues in the banking sector where the portifolio of their loan is still at rudimentary stage relative to other sectors?

    1. Thanks Dear Firew… the model we are trying to implement is not to outhand cash but our service. Farmers are not supposed to pay the full amount immediately. They will pay 40 to 60% and the rest will be paid upon harvesting. We don’t expose a single farmer to more than 5K ETB which help us to manage the likely risk. I agree with you the sector is way behind than others in terms of credit accessibility but we are trying to incorporate inclusive approach to farming… focusing on small land holders.

  76. Well done Aberesh!! What a great idea, I am very hopeful that you will win this competition! Good luck!

  77. Great job Abresh! What a great idea! I am very hopeful that you will win this competition! Good Luck!

  78. Great Idea Abrish. if you haven’t thought if this already, i think diversifying your funding base by collaborating with key national and international actors is critical to scale up your project. for instance ministry of agriculture is one viable source of finance. any ways good luck!!!

  79. Great Job Aberesh! What a great idea, I am quite sure your innovation will make a change to our agriculture based economy country! I am very hopeful that with this idea you can win the competition. Good luck!

  80. It is a very interesting idea and so doable. I strongly believe this project significantly contributes to the national level in the sector. Keep up the good work Abrish. Finger crossed !!!

  81. Abresh,
    Your project will bring a positive change in the lives of those poor farmers. I hope the results of your project will be replicated in other areas. Keep up!

  82. Is encouraging idea since we all have a responsibility to overcome traditional farming through the implementation of projects like what you are doing currently and enhance for our country to get grain quality and income. Abrish i would like to point out one suggestion. You have to also put in ur mind that land saving techniques is the main point to be underlined in ur project
    . Thanks and wish to see ur productivity soon.

  83. Brilliant and amazing idea. Small land holder farmers across Ethiopia living in poverty cycle and we need a mechanize to ease the pressure from the cycle. Your project will help thousands of farmer to pull themselves up from the poverty cycle. Stay blessed

  84. Abrish the great, you did it as you said right Young African should try their best to achieve a lot and bring productivity across Africa. Farming is not a business in Ethiopia. I am sure your project will bring awareness among farmers and they will start to see farming as a business which helps them to produce according to the market interest. I am by your side my brother

  85. Dear Abrhame this is a good and innovative idea. Does your model fit to Amhara region as there are many small land holder farmers in the area

    1. Yes it fit. We initiated the package from.the problem we observed. As far as all the small holders across Ethiopia share this problem…it fits everywhere with little modification. Good convrrsation

  86. A brilliant idea. To develop and support the farmers will give an opportunity for dependence and prosperity for farmers in rural areas. Sustainable agriculture is crucial for the future and here is a concept working along these lines. The concept is thought through and the proposal sense commitment. I wish you and your team all the best!

  87. It is a nice proposal and could be prosperous in supporting the lives of millions of Ethiopian Farmers. I strongly believe that this proposal will make a great change.

  88. This idea is very very important for Ethiopia. I am sure you will win this competition. Moreover i wish you to achieve your dream young man

  89. A lecturer and Agripreneur! What an amazing combination and it will give you a chance to practically demonstrate theories to practice. Good luck!

  90. Abrham I am happy to see your project. I have experience in Mozambique and their farmers are productive using mechanization but they don’t have access to credit. Combining the two your project is the best. Keep it up!

  91. I am not from Agricultural sector but i felt some good feeling when i read your project. It is really a timely and urgently needed for Ethiopian Agriculture.

  92. We need more projects like Green Agr Mechanization. Ethiopia booming economy should be supported by such an innovative and inclusive projects. Abraham, it might take time but please don’t give up.

  93. I have met you in US-African business summit last December and I have seen your commitment when you explain your ideas to audiences. Thumps up for you Mr. Abrhame and Good luck

  94. I am so happy and proud to see this. From marketing perspective How much are you ready to build strong customer relationship as repayment problems challenge smooth talk with your customers? and one more thing How do you promote your product to your new packages to rural customers as their literacy rate is low. But overall I am in love with your idea. Good luck

    1. We do continuous follow up for better repayment and handle problems.when happen. Our relationship with farmers is not a one time show….we work together with them. We see them as a family doing business together. Regarding promotion we use local networks and social gatherings to introduce our packages. Social bonds and neighbouring hood play significant role in rural farming community. Thank you for your attention

  95. What an impressive idea. with the given challenges African youths should come up with such a great idea.

  96. Good luck. Try to minimize your risks when you deal with credit. But working with micro finance is a great solution as you mentioned.

  97. Abrhame You are doing a wonderful job to help our poor farmers. We will be on your side whenever you look for an assistance.

  98. Very impressive idea and you need support from the government side. this suppose to be government job and you are doing something unthinkable. Go green

  99. Dear Abraham;

    Frankly speaking and it’s a public secret that Human and animal agricultural operations can not be achieved with power to machine power, and new areas for agriculture and managed to make up.

    Keep going!

  100. Dear Abraham;
    Human and animal agricultural operations can not be achieved with power to machine power, and new areas for agriculture and managed to make up.

  101. I believe your idea is what we need to change the economic of developing countries like Ethiopia.

  102. I wish you great luck on this competition. Your project means a lot for farmers and stakeholders. Try to create awareness on your project then you will get support.

  103. Boom. Please email to Katherine CNFA. They are working to promote service center providers and they will be glad to work with you brother

  104. Inspired by your project. I will be happy to see this implemented. Go with your vision. Good luck

  105. Farmers will be happy to have such a project where there is minimum access to finance in Agriculture. In am not sure how many farmers gonna get your service but i wish if you serve many. Good luck

  106. waow!! it is such an interesting and informative blog and your idea is really admirable.
    Keep it up and Good luck for your work!

  107. Delighted and impressed for you made this far. I knew you would come this far and i am sure you will go beyond all the obstacles. Wish and good luck.

  108. waow!! it is such an interesting and informative blog , and your idea is really admirable.
    Keep doing good work and best of luck!!

  109. Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopian economy. Helping farmers to increasing their productivity should be the main objective of the country’s economic policy. What you are doing is very helpful and must be supported by all parties involved in this issue. I wish you all the best.

  110. Dear Abrham;
    i found your green agro mechanization proposal very promising for our agricultural led economy and hope i will see its fruit in near future.

    Good Luck Abrish!

  111. Interesting project, will surely improve production and make life better in rural areas while taking advantage of our land.

  112. As a Korean I could hardly have seen above details, contents and circumstances in my country through my generation. While I was reading, however, I could totally understand your feeling that you got when you were in Ethiopia. Thus I would like to cheer you up supporting whole of your opinion.

  113. This is an amazing and aspiring proposal; please support Abrham and support Ethiopian Farmers

  114. This is the time to encourage such extraordinary projects; please give this project a support

  115. Africans farmers need such an encouraging and motivating incentives to support their farming. please note that this is the problem of every African countries farmers

  116. Agriculture is one of the scopes that need attention of such young business men like Abrham, please support him and his project

  117. You did a good job
    I admire your thought sincerely
    Keep pursuing your value and get it come true

  118. Abrish Man I want you to win because I have seen how the Agriculture sector is challenging and tiresome. I like the diagram. it is so descriptive

  119. Awesome. The mobile app and access to finance are becoming common trends in other African country. It is so nice to see the combination in Ethiopian Agriculture. Good luck

  120. Anbesa Yegna lij. Abrsh I am happy because you are doing what you love. I wish you luck my brother

  121. It is a process of value creation to small land holding farmers. This is a win win to both parties. Keep doing.

  122. I found your project proposal very helpful and an ice breaker for our nation agricultural led economy.

    keep going.

  123. WHAT A COMMITMENT. Dear Abrhame Your idea sounds great and Please tell me more about the credit facility to small land holder farmers. Good luck

  124. Abrhame I appreciate you supported your business through research. Wish you all the best

  125. Abrhame Farming is the back bone of our country and to work at any level is to help our economy grow. Wish you to win

  126. Green economy, climate change and productivity. These are all from your project right? Good luck

  127. Abrhame has a good idea that can be scale up to anywhere in developing nation. Good luck

  128. I guess this is a result of long commitment and socially responsible business model. stay standing

  129. It is an era of ICT to see mobile app in every corner. Mr Abrhame attempt to put mobile app in farming is impressive

  130. Abrham Endrias (Green Agr Mechanization) – I like your project and how are you planning to work with micro finance? They are well organized and has capacity compared to individual companies. What is in it for them? Good luck.

  131. I wish you a success. You are taking risk at this young age and the blessing will come soon. KEEP THE GOOD WORK.

  132. A very well thought out proposal! I appreciate the fact that even small land holder farmers would have access to finance and mechanization.

  133. This is so interesting. I learned so much about the need for such a project to change the fate of Ethiopian Agriculture

  134. thank you for being motivator for other young people like you. What is your advice for beginners in Agribusines

  135. Congrats Abrish. I am happy to read the project and its worthy to support. Wish you good luck

  136. Abrhame Supporting farmer is supported not only in real business but also spiritually. You will be blessed. Good luck

  137. This is what is needed in this field : A young, well educated and visionary person, who can take Agri to a high level. Hats off to you Abrish and best of luck!!!

  138. Good to work closely with micro finances too as they can facilitate the value chain financing for such a business case

  139. This proposal surely will improve the lives of poor African farmers and it is worth supported.

  140. This is my professional area of study, agriculture. This proposal surely nails the problems of African farmers, for sure Ethiopians too

  141. Great idea! It is valuable proposal for our country, Ethiopia and other developing countries as well. Keep it up and Best of luck!

  142. Our farmer’s productivity have to improve,I am glad to know someone brave and dedicated like you is helping the farmer’s.

  143. Our farmer’s productivity have to improve,I’m glad to know someone brave and dedicated person like you is helping the farmer’s.

  144. IT IS GREAT TO SEE A MAN COURAGES ENOUGH TO FACE ALL THE CHALLENGES OF OUR AGRICULTURE, WISH YOUR COMPANY EXPANDS AND CONTRIBUTES FOR MILLIONS OF ETHIOPIANS’ FARMERS…LET GOD BE WITH YOU!!!…YOUR SUCCESS MEANS A LOT FOR POOR FARMERS OF OURS!!!

  145. Hay Abrish, I hope this great Idea will be accepted and bring some change on the farmers life when you implement it.
    Go……..

  146. This an exciting venture Abrish. This is the kind of thinking and action we need to transform our agriculture and enhance inclusiveness in financial and tech arenas. I congratulate you on your work so far bro- Good luck!

    1. Dear Abrish I am very excited about your Green Ago Mechanisation. Your project has multidimensional effect in addressing the poor farmers. Really you will contribute your share as a citizen in doing so. May God be with you for this blessed project

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