Community Fruit Tree Project
Community Fruit Tree Project, Addis Ababa – Ethiopia
In 2005 we launched our first international project in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Since establishing our Community Fruit Tree project we have planted over 31,000 trees, improved the environment and provided sustainable sources of food and income to almost 15,000 people.
The Issue
Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries on earth with astonishingly high levels of food insecurity. According to the UN World Food Programme it is estimated that 49% of the population is malnourished. Many people living in Addis Adaba consume just 5% of the recommended daily nutrients needed to stay healthy. This has dramatic impact on people’s health, development and quality of life.
Providing food and futures
We have been tackling these challenges by providing vulnerable individuals, families and community groups with their own high quality grafted apple, pear and plum trees. Through engaging training sessions and exciting tree propagation workshops we have successfully taught our beneficiaries how to plant and maintain trees.
Why fruit trees?
Fruit trees are extremely valuable resources. They can easily be planted in back yards or on existing vegetable plots. Roots nutrify soils and extend deep into the ground, reaching scarce water sources when other crops fail. The trees require minimal input - they can be watered with dirty dish water and fertilized with waste generated daily.
Fruit provides essential sources of nutrients and vitamins which tackle malnutrition. A single tree can produce up to 100kg of fruit in a single harvest. If sold, this can provide an Ethiopian with a substantial 35% of their income, year after year.
Who we work with
We work with the Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society (EWNHS) to provide training and apple, plum and peach trees to impoverished households, schools, health centres and community groups.
We also work with Birhan Integrated Community Development Organisation (BICDO) to build the capacity of the Hibret Ferie Women's Co-operative Tree Nursery.
Our Supporters
This project is generously funded by Bloomberg, the Evan Cornish Foundation, NHS Wales and Size of Wales.
If you want to support this project you can make a donation here
Want to know more?
Please read Craig Owen’s blog from visit to our project - click here
Or contact our International Assistant Harriet on 020 7820 4427 or email Harriet@treesforcities.org.
