Amidst this crisis, individuals like Desta Gebeyehu, a 2021 Mawazo Fellow from Ethiopia, are taking proactive steps to address food security in their home countries. Desta is focusing on implementing sustainable practices within the agricultural sector of Ethiopia to combat malnutrition and enhance food security.
U.S.A.’s International Trade Organization states that despite agriculture being a major contributor to Ethiopia’s GDP, the country remains a net importer of agricultural products. This is primarily attributed to underfunded research initiatives, inefficient market systems, and limited access to funding and technological advances. Desta elaborates that the majority of Ethiopian farmers rely on subsistence farming, on smaller farms, which hinders their ability to adopt modern agricultural techniques and utilise resources like fertilisers.
As a trailblazer in the realm of researcher turned innovator, she shared the following words of encouragement for her fellow scientists: “Innovation doesn’t always have to be big or audacious. Even small, incremental innovations that build on existing ideas can also create value for customers. Don’t be afraid to think smaller and focus on achieving immediate goals and innovations.”
