CCRDA Executive Director Pays Field Visit to PPRO Projects
Dr. Meshesha Shewarega, Executive Director of CCRDA, made a one-day field visit to various development projects being implemented by Participatory Poverty Reduction Organization (PPRO) in Limu Woreda of Hadiya Zone on 12 November, 2010.
The Executive Director visited crop fields developed by farmers and water shade management schemes undertaken through the active participation of the project beneficiaries.
Dr. Meshesha on field visit with Hadiya zone senior cabinet members
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Meshesha noted that the visit has enabled him to witness remarkable improvements in the execution of PPRO implemented projects.
The projects have been scaled up to the surrounding areas benefiting additional farmers, he said, adding that such encouraging endeavors should be further bolstered in the years ahead.
Dr. Meshesha also stated that he happily observed the gradual detachment of farmers from dependency on single produce and the steady adaptation to crop diversification. He applauded the trend as a step in the right direction.
Dr. Meshesha enjoying the fruits of PPRO embraced farmers
“The visit has helped me to see the robust interaction and cooperation between the implementing organization (PPRO) and concerned government structures in the Woreda in the execution of the projects,” Dr. Meshesha said. “This clearly shows a strong unity between the two actors for a common development cause.”
The participation of women in the realization of PPRO projects has grown immensely, he said. This, he stressed, is another encouraging move that should be pursued with more vigor in the future.
He also called upon beneficiaries of the project to give due attention to the issues of environmental protection and reproductive health with special emphasis on family planning.
“Hard work- the only way out of poverty”: Dr. Meshesha
In a ceremony held at the end of the field trip, Dr. Meshesha and cabinet members of the Hadiya Zone handed over awards to 44 farmers who displayed outstanding performance in their production and productivity embraced under PPRO project.
Dr. Meshesha awarding agricultural tools to a meritorious farmer
PPRO is a Sida/CCRDA financed project launched in 2004 with a seed money of 200,000 Birr. The project is being implemented in nine Kebele peasant associations of Limu Woreda, Hadiya Zone. The number of direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project has reached 12,000 at present.
