Holeta Polytechnic College in Ethiopia has made significant strides in empowering female students in commercial agriculture.
The College offered a specialized training to a group of female students in Potato production.
The students from diverse backgrounds and with limited or no prior experience in agriculture, were trained in various aspects of potato production, including seed selection, planting techniques, pest and disease management, and harvesting practices.
The training program also included hands-on practical sessions in the college’s demonstration farm, where the students had the opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a real-world setting.
Female students at college’s demonstration farm
After completing the training program, the female students were able to implement what they had learned on their own farms or in collaboration with local farmers. They were able to increase their potato yields significantly, improve the quality of their produce, and generate additional income for themselves and their families. Furthermore, these female students have become role models for other women in their communities, inspiring them to pursue careers in agriculture and take advantage of the opportunities available in the field of potato production.
The success of these students has also helped raise awareness about the importance of empowering women in agriculture and promoting gender equality in the sector.
By Dawit Tadese, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, Holeta Polytechnic College.
