“We still have too much faith in technical solutions to meet the goal of increased productivity…There should be searchings of heart as to our policies and programs.  Are they adequate to the needs of the current and emerging challenges? Kenyon Leech Butterfield, 1918

Hello, who are you?

I am Kebebe Ergano, I hold a PhD in Agricultural Systems from Wageningen University. Prior to joining CDAIS, I worked as a researcher in national and international research institutes. My research and development work focuses on understanding and addressing barriers to the uptake of agricultural technologies that increase the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. I have been a lead national innovation facilitator for CDAIS in Ethiopia since January 2017. My responsibilities include coordinating innovation facilitators (NIFs) in Ethiopia, assisting them in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes, developing and implementing coaching plans at niche level, facilitating matchmaking between niche stakeholders and development partners, writing change stories and ensuring pragmatic relationship between the CDAIS project and government partners.

What has CDAIS changed for you?

I am inspired by the CDAIS project’s recognition that knowledge and resources are distributed unevenly throughout value chain actors. Farmers, processors, transporters and consumers all have pieces of knowledge on certain aspects of the value chain. I cherish CDAIS project’s approach which aims to improve the innovation capacities of individuals, organizations and institutions and enhance their capacities through continual feedback through lessons learnt from local and national actions. In Ethiopia, CDAIS has been stimulating partnership among actors in agricultural value chains as depicted in change stories in community seed production and chickpea innovation niches.