The Citizens’ Network for Foreign Affairs (CNFA), a program under the the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to finance Farmers’ Service Centers, a network of centers offering training and advice to more than 30,000 Ethiopian farmers in Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia.

The Oromia Bureau of Agriculture head, Abebe Diriba, praised the Ethiopian government's agricultural development policies and pointed out that work is now being done to encourage the private sector to invest in better quality seeds and chemicals.

CNFA awarded almost quarter of a million U.S. dollars to six farmers’ co-operative unions and entrepreneurs to create six Farmers’ Service Centers in Shashemene, Nekemte, Dodolla, Ambo, Fiche and Bishoftu in Oromia Regional State.

“Increased private sector participation across a range of agricultural activities, including input supply, is necessary for Ethiopia to achieve its ambitious growth objectives.” Gary Robins, Chief Officer at USAID, said at the grant award signing ceremony on Tuesday June 4, 2013.

The six Farmers’ Service Centers  will receive technical training, advice on marketing, business planning and management, business procedures.

Source: Capital