This podcast episode, recorded in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, explores the transformative work of Vita, an organisation committed to sustainable development. The episode delves into Vita's innovative community-led approach, which empowers local communities to shape their socio-economic future. Solomon Kebede, Vita's Ethiopia Deputy Director, shares his experiences, particularly the success of the Potato Programme, which has significantly enhanced food security and agricultural practices. The discussion highlights a crucial shift from traditional aid to empowering communities as leaders of their progress, showcasing Vita's pivotal role in fostering sustainable, community-led change across rural Ethiopia. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

This podcast episode is recorded in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, and features Dr. Ashenafi Gunnabo, Arba Minch University’s Assistant Professor of Plant-Microbe Interactions. It explores the transformative impact of his collaboration with Vita in the Gamo Highlands. Together, they tackle the critical issue of potato crop diseases that threaten local subsistence farmers. Through the establishment of a tissue culture laboratory, they produce disease-free potato plantlets, significantly boosting crop resilience and yield. This innovation enhances food security and lays the groundwork for sustainable agriculture. The initiative is poised to serve as a model for broader application across Ethiopia and Africa, addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and food security. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

Recorded in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, the podcast episode spotlights Dr. Degife Zebire, Arba Minch University's Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Assistant Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics. Dr. Zebire is a driving force behind the modernisation of Ethiopian agriculture through innovative technologies. The episode highlights his collaboration with Vita on the Plant Village app, a mobile tool that diagnoses plant diseases and pests, significantly enhancing crop management for farmers. This initiative has improved efficiency and sustainability in farming, boosting farmers' livelihoods. The podcast also delves into Dr. Zebire's broader vision for expanding these technologies across Ethiopia to increase agricultural productivity, along with his ongoing research in crop production and plant breeding, aiming to build a more sustainable farming future for the country. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

Recorded in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, the podcast episode features Demoz Ayele Betru, Vita’s Manager of the Improved Cookstove Programme. The discussion delves into the impactful work of Vita, a pioneering organisation committed to sustainable development in Ethiopia. The episode highlights how the Improved Cookstove Programme is transforming rural communities by providing cleaner cookstoves and empowering locals through active involvement in every stage of the process. This initiative is easing the daily burdens of women and girls, enhancing air quality, and promoting a sense of ownership and self-reliance. The episode presents a hopeful vision for the future, demonstrating how community-led solutions can lead to profound, positive change. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

The podcast episode, recorded in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, features Dr. Abera Uncha, Director of the Postgraduate School at Arba Minch University. Dr. Uncha discusses his efforts to empower local communities by focusing on food security, forest restoration, and gender empowerment. He also highlights the collaboration with Vita and the impact of introducing fuel-efficient stoves to reduce deforestation and promote sustainability. Dr. Uncha's work shows the importance of community-led, environmentally conscious projects that address interconnected challenges such as climate impact, food production, and gender roles, emphasising the crucial role of community engagement in achieving long-term success. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

The podcast episode, recorded in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, highlights Vita's impactful work, as explained by Risko Assefa, Vita's Community-led Learning Project Leader. Key initiatives include introducing improved cookstoves that cut fuel consumption by 50% and enhancing women's health, safety, and time management. This time-saving allows women to engage in income-generating activities, furthering their empowerment. Risko's vision extends beyond cookstoves, aiming to tackle broader challenges through local collaboration, with women playing a central role. Her work exemplifies community-led development, fostering a brighter, more equitable future in Ethiopia. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

The podcast episode, featuring Tsehayu Kassie, Vita's Programme Manager for the Gamo Zone Project, speaking from Arba Minch, Ethiopia, highlights the success of the Gamo Zone Project, which focuses on sustainable development and community empowerment. The project has significantly improved food security, transforming agricultural practices such as potato and mango farming, resulting in higher yields and reduced wastage. Key initiatives include innovative water management systems, improved cookstove technology, and extensive forest and land restoration efforts. Vita's work has benefited over 60,000 households, fostering a self-sustaining and environmentally conscious community. The episode underscores Vita's long-term vision for resilience, innovation, and sustainable development in Ethiopia. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tadele Girma Kodo, Vita's Potato Senior Agronomist, highlights the transformative impact of Vita's agricultural programmes in the country. Vita has made significant strides in Ethiopian agriculture, particularly through its potato programme, which has greatly enhanced disease management using AI via the PlantVillage app. This technology has expedited disease detection. Vita's initiatives also include improving seed access through community-based systems, introducing Diffused Light Stores to reduce post-harvest losses, and promoting integrated pest management, increasing potato yields. Beyond agriculture, Vita's efforts have bolstered nutrition and economic prospects for rural communities, showcasing the broader impact of sustainable practices on food security and livelihoods in the region. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sultan Abdrahiman George, Vita’s Head of the Green Impact Fund, highlights the impactful initiatives Vita has undertaken in the country. The podcast episode discusses these efforts, focusing on grassroots actions to address climate change while empowering local communities, particularly women. The Green Impact Fund, which began as a small-scale project, has grown significantly, now benefiting over 50,000 households with improved cookstoves and providing clean water access to more than 100,000 people. A community-led approach has been crucial to the success, especially in the widespread adoption of fuel-efficient stoves. The programme has driven reforestation efforts, with over half a million trees planted to restore natural resources. Vita’s initiatives make tangible livelihood improvements and contribute to broader sustainability goals. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/

Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mesfin Kebede, Vita's Coordinator of Natural Resource Management, highlights his decade-long work with the organisation. He focuses on transforming rural Ethiopia through agricultural innovation. Mesfin discusses how Vita's initiatives have uplifted over 100,000 smallholder farmers, enhancing their productivity and quality of life. Key successes include introducing improved potato seeds and promoting moringa trees, both vital for food security and income generation. Vita's holistic approach also supports farmers with financial services, training, and technological tools like the PlantVillage app. Mesfin emphasises the need for continued collaboration to scale these impactful programmes further. Visit: https://vitaimpact.org/