Dereje Farming Development Enterprise |
Dereje Belay is
owner of the Dereje Farming Development Enterprise. Above and beyond, he
is a model agricultural investor engaged in farming activities at
Benshagul-Gumuz State, Assossa District. Dereje works to transform
himself and his family, starting with small-scale farming and with the
support of technologies in agriculture. Dereje is married and has a
child. The Ethiopian Herald has held an interview with him. Excerpts:
Would you please introduce yourself to our readers ?
I was born in Gojam
province of Amhara State. At the age of 14 in 1993, I came to Addis
Ababa City and started to live with my older sister. I attended most of
my primary education in Addis Ababa. I have taken some entrepreneurial
courses and trainings before I engaged in various businesses.
How did you start your business life?
I was first working
in my sister's hotel service during night time as a cashier, and side
by side working in a garage called Belay Garage around Bulgaria Square.
Then, I made an agreement with my parents to open a spare parts shop
around the garage. In addition, my family also opened a restaurant for
me as a start up. In line with this, my friend and I used to bake Injera
and sell for hotels. From this business, we were also making much
money, however, we quit shortly because we were luring for other
business matters.
Recognizing the
benefit of hard work, I was devoted to engage myself in larger
businesses. So that I bought a minibus for a short period of time. Then,
due to the inefficiency of transport business, I sold the minibus and
bought Isuzu track to make better business. But, it could not also
satisfy me any more to stay in this business.
In 2006, watching
over my cousins previously working in agriculture, I wanted to join and
support them to boost incomes better than before. Then, I immediately
sold my properties and joined them buying an old tractor in a place
called Sogie, 70 KM away from Nekempte. And I started on 70 hectares of
land rented for 300 birr. In this small plots of land, I could grow
ginger, soya bean, maize, millet and other crops. Recognizing the
benefits of high value crops for generating income, I am currently
producing vegetables and fruits.
Were you satisfied with the market price of your agricultural products?
Of course, the
price of ginger was rising high at that time. So that, we could get
profit from selling ginger and other crops, too.
How did you transform your small-scale agriculture into a larger one?
In 2008, the late
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called on investors to engage in
agricultural investment. As soon as the announcement was made, I just
went to Assosa Zone Investment Bureau to ask them to give me land for
investment. After carefully examining my profile, the authorities
accepted the application and provided me a farmland estimated at about
1,000 hectares.
After two years,
when the land was measured by the modern GPS system, the measurement
indicated the land I received is only 400 hectares, which shows a
decrement by 600 hectares. Although I requested the Office of Investment
to give me the remaining hectares, the authorities told me to first
develop the approved farmland; and I am still working on there for
several years.
What were the obstacles to engage in such agricultural investment?
When I first began
the investment, I faced with infrastructural challenges such as road and
water accessibility. As the road was so hideously dangerous for travel
due to the existence of wild animals and insects in the forest, I used
to debauched the road part of the forest to make the working environment
safe and secure. The other challenge was changing the attitude of
people towards the benefits of agricultural investment.
For instance, most
of my friends were not happy when I was engaged in this sector. Because
they do not consider that agricultural production is profitable. On the
other hand, the bureaucratic red tapes among service providers were the
other challenge to smoothly undertake the investment activities starting
from renting lands, and getting loans from banks.
Apart from the
bureaucratic red tapes, the major challenge is protecting plant
diseases. Stealthy diseases sometimes trick plants by reducing their
defence system. Hence, prevention is the best remedy when it comes to
dealing with most plant diseases in the locality.
Many diseases
cannot be effectively controlled once symptoms develop or become severe.
Upon recognizing the occurrence of urgent diseases, we use mechanisms
such as sanitation and seasonal spray applications purchasing from
Mercato, around Gojjam Berenda.
How much was your initial capital?
My initial capital
was about 400,000 birr to begin with agricultural investment. But, the
main thing that helped me to be successful is my onward commitment to
face such challenges, and able to contribute for nation's effort towards
poverty reduction.
What was the reason behind for to be a model agricultural investor and receive an award?
Well, taking many
steps in the development of farmlands for years, I focused on
transforming technology to boost productivity. Effectively implementing
with the help of agricultural extension experts, I was successful as I
anticipated in the production of crops as well as vegetables and fruits.
Therefore, I could
became the first in registering significant agricultural production from
Benshangul-Gumuz State utilizing modern agricultural technologies.
Currently, I secured a capital of over 25 million birr, and created 50
permanent and 150 temporary jobs for women and youths. For this
achievement, I receive a trophy award from the hands of Prime Minister
Hailemariam Dessalegn on the 8th Farmers' and Semi-Pastoralists' Day
held at Adama last week.
Is there any contribution you made for the local people?
Of course, I have
been providing support for local youths engaged in sport. The team is
known as Basha Buda Kebele Sport Club. My support is providing sport
facilities such as balls, T-shirts, and some financial assistance. In
addition, I built a store house in the locality that could collect over
30,000 quintals. This can be considered as the first in the state as
well as may be the second in west Ethiopia. Such efforts are also the
reason for receiving the award.
What is your next plan?
In the future, I
would be engaged in constructing agro-processing plant which can be used
as processing raw materials into finished products. In this effort, we
could pack products and provide them for export market. Thus, it will be
realized if the support of the government added to our efforts.
What is your agricultural practice you want to share for other farmers?
Well, I currently
transformed from rain-fed agriculture into irrigation one using modern
technologies. Technology has a big role in developing the agricultural
activity. Today, it is possible to grow crops in a desert by utilizing
agricultural technology. With this technology, plants can be engineered
to survive in drought conditions.
Now, a farmer can
cultivate on small plots of land with less labour, and can cut costs
even more when they are looking for a used tractor and other harvesting
technology, versus new equipment. In agriculture, time and production
are so important; you plant in time, harvest in time and deliver to
stores in time. Modern agricultural technology allows a small number of
people to grow vast quantities of production in a shortest period of
time.
What do you suggest to make the agriculture sector move one step forward?
Yes, agricultural
experts must spend their time to conduct research on the prevention of
crop and vegetable diseases. The other is the availability of
transportation facility to the most remote areas. If the government
prioritizes for the construction of roads in rural areas, anyone can go
and engage in producing agricultural food crops easily.
Of course,
transportation helps in making products available on markets in time
from the farm. With transportation facility, consumers in cities will
consume fresh fruits from farms within the same day that the fruit lives
the garden in rural area. Thus, modern transportation technology
facilities help farmers easily transport fertilizers or other farm
products to their farms. It also speeds the supply of agricultural
products from farms to the markets where consumers get them on a daily
basis.
Whom do you praise for contributing in your effort?
Okay, I would like
to convey my heartfelt thanks to government authorities, particularly
those who still provide me support in the investment offices. Above all,
I really thank my wife and friends for their continuous support and for
providing me courage and moral assistance.
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