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Welcome to Empowering the Farmers Inc., a United States of America-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3), EIN# 93-2644193. Our mission is to rejuvenate and transform agriculture in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. In the wake of the devastation brought by recent conflicts, our nonprofit stands as a beacon of hope and support for local farmers who are the backbone of their communities and the economy. With your help, we are making strides toward a future where agriculture in Tigray not only recovers but flourishes with strength, wealth, and sustainability.
Our Vision
At Empowering the Farmers Inc., we envision a Tigray where every farmer has access to the tools, technology, and resources needed to thrive...Our goal is to replace labor-intensive traditional farming methods with modern, sustainable, and efficient agricultural practices. By doing so, we aim to secure not just the livelihoods of individual farmers but also ensure food security and resilience against economic and environmental challenges for the entire region.
How We Help
Thanks to the generous support of donors like you, we provide essential farming supplies...and equipment, including bulls, tractors, crops, generators, and mills. These resources are vital in enabling our farmers to produce a variety of essential foods, thereby supporting their families and communities. In partnership with other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and local entities, we're bringing innovative solutions to the forefront of Tigray's agricultural sector. One such initiative is our investment in rainwater harvesting techniques. This approach allows farmers to cultivate their lands all year round, regardless of weather conditions, thus enabling them to grow fruits and vegetables continuously while protecting their crops against droughts, floods, and other weather-related adversities.
Our Approach
Empowering the Farmers Inc. is dedicated to introducing modern farming techniques...that enhance productivity without compromising the quality of produce. We believe in the power of education and provide training and support to farmers, helping them to adopt these new methods successfully. By doing so, we not only aid in immediate recovery efforts but also lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability and growth in the agricultural sector of Tigray.
A brief history of the founder and President, Dr. Almaz Desta Zewde
A brief history of the founder and President, Dr. Almaz Desta Zewde
Empowering the Farmers Inc. is led by Dr. Almaz Desta Zewde, whose roots are deeply entrenched in the fertile soils of northern Ethiopia, Tigray, in Wereda Glumakeda, Kushet Kilaat. Dr. Zewde's early experiences in Kilaat, where she grew up surrounded by the bounty of her family's garden and the local farming community, shaped her lifelong commitment to agriculture and sustainable living. Her father, a dedicated farmer, instilled in her the value of producing one's own food, ranging from tomatoes and onions to tropical fruits like oranges, bananas, and mangoes, and the importance of local produce such as fresh milk and honey.
Dr. Zewde's academic journey took her from elementary school in Kilaat to Agazi High School in Adigrat for grades 7 through 11, culminating in her graduation from Atse Yohannes High School in Mekelle. Her education laid a solid foundation for her later achievements and her return to Ethiopia after studying in the USA.
Her return visit to Tigray in 1993 was a turning point. Shocked by the transformation of her vibrant, green childhood vista into a drought-stricken landscape, Dr. Zewde felt a powerful call to action. This feeling intensified following the devastating conflict in Tigray on November 4, 2020, which resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, with many fleeing to safety in Sudan and elsewhere. The local farming infrastructure suffered immensely, with equipment looted or destroyed and livestock decimated.
In response to this crisis, Dr. Zewde founded Empowering the Farmers Inc.in September 2023. This nonprofit organization, based in the United States and recognized as a 501(c)(3) entity with EIN# 93-2644193, is dedicated to rebuilding and empowering the farming communities in Tigray and surrounding regions. The mission is clear: to restore a semblance of normalcy to the lives of local farmers by providing essential farming tools and support, free from political influence.
Dr. Zewde's leadership and vision drive Empowering the Farmers Inc. to not only address immediate agricultural needs but also to foster sustainable practices that will ensure the resilience and productivity of the farming community for generations to come.
Thank you for joining us in our mission to revitalize the heartlands of Tigray and beyond.
Dr. Almaz Desta Zewde
Distater couse by the War In Tigray
Damage to homes and farming equipment
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