For many local residents in Holeta in the central part of Ethiopia, finding a pathway to a stable livelihood can be a challenge. Holeta Polytechnic College is tackling this head-on through hands-on, income-generating agricultural projects that provide crucial skills, support the college’s mission, and put affordable food on local tables.
Holeta Polytechnic College’s practical approach directly addresses these aspirations of the surrounding community to improve yield and livelihoods through modern farming techniques in poultry farming and potato production.
One of the standout income-generating activities at the college is its poultry farming. The college raises chickens at its poultry farm, producing either meat or eggs, adapting to the demands of the local market, creating a sustainable business that provides a stable income flow and steady development for the institution. Furthermore, the farm serves the wider community by supplying chicken meat and eggs at a reasonable price for both the college community and residents in the surrounding area.
The Poultry Farm at Holeta Polytechnic College
With funding from the World Bank and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, through EASTRIP, the polytechnic college has renovated its poultry farm and procuring more than 2000-layer chickens.
Cultivating Knowledge and Nutrition
Potatoes are known for being rich in micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for boosting the immune system, supporting normal growth, and helping to reduce micronutrient malnutrition. They are also one of the most widely grown tuber crops grown and consumed in Ethiopia, playing a vital role in food and nutrition security.
The college maintains a demonstration site for potato production used to teach students practical farming techniques, serving as a resource for providing short-term training to external participants, including local farmers, youth, and women from the surrounding community and nearby districts.
The college also produces quality potatoes which are supplied to the college community and the local market at a low price, which offers an affordable source of nutritious food for residents
Eggs from the poultry farm which are sold to the surrounding communities for income
“The income generation activities at Holeta Polytechnic College provide students with hands-on experience and market-relevant skills, making them better prepared for employment or entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector,” said Mr. Abera Mulengeta, the Dean, Holeta Polytechnic College.
“The training offered to local farmers, youth, and women directly contributes to improving agricultural practices and livelihoods in the surrounding area, fostering economic empowerment within the community. By supplying essential and nutritious food items at affordable prices, the college enhances food security and reduces living costs for both its members and neighbors,” he said.
Through these strategic initiatives, significantly supported in the case of the poultry farm by EASTRIP’s investment, Holeta Polytechnic College is demonstrating the power of practical TVET education to not only educate individuals but also to contribute meaningfully to the economic and social development of its region.
By Dawit Tadese, the M&E Specialist for EASTRIP at IUCEA
