Dear Customers,

In 2011 EFY, the Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resource has undertaken a dramatic shift from bureau-based approach to communitybased operations. Changing implementation tactic from topbottom to bottom-up is not always easy task to accomplish. Doing so, we have conducted JEG (job evaluation grading) as ways of re-assessing and re-structuring already existing manpower of the bureau and recruited
new ones through competitive selection process to fill the manpower gaps.

Effective working system with talented staff requires a sound operating system in place, and to achieve this, we have conducted a pre-requisite in-depth assessment ranging from baseline/coverage, agricultural product and input marketing situation, rural land use system to crop pests mapping; in addition to this we have rectified the distorted indicators of the previous baseline data. And all of these can support us in making realistic decisions for the efficient use of limited financial, human and logistic resources of the bureau.

Climate change impact in agriculture of the country and the horn of Africa is real. Drought and floods are frequent and severe challenges for agricultural production in the region. Bureau of agriculture and natural resource’s approach to climate change adaptation and resilience focuses empowerment of farming households to be able transform low production methods and ensure their food security in the future. Bureau and partner institutions as well as regional public policy environment were indispensable for the improvement of production and productivity exerted by the bureau in building foundations of adaptive capacity. Preserving partners’ roles, this has been undertaken through engaging our own staff and expertise from external consultants. Thus, adopting viable extension services for improving crop production and productivity through
irrigation schemes and mechanization is our first main strategic area. Natural resource
conservation for building the resilience of the farmers through establishment of water-shed management projects for degraded-land conservations is also our second main strategic area; and in line with this new method, soil and water conservation have been employed through water spreading weirs. Furthermore, developing micro-credit-based cooperative/micro enterprises system among farming communities as part of enhancing crop and natural resource marketing is also another area where the bureau is highly focused in 2011 EFY.

 

Finally, I would like to thank for employees of the bureau, agricultural sector institutions and cooperated partners who contributed 2011EFY performance, I want also thank to the regional administration office whose directives and creation of enabling environment enabled to achieve most targets set by the bureau in Ethiopian 2011 budget year.

Dr. Abdulkadir Iiman