LocationsTransforming Dry Fields: Ferdusa's Journey
June 4, 2025
Ferdusa, a mother of ten, lives in Bare Kebele of the Gode district in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Her story echoes that of many in her community — one of perseverance in the face of growing climate challenges.
For years, Ferdusa and her husband depended on a small plot of farmland and livestock to support their family. But their farm was rain-fed, and rainfall in the region has become increasingly erratic due to climate change. The frequent droughts left their land dry and unproductive, putting their very survival at risk.
“Our farmland has produced fewer crops than expected over the past few years,” says Ferdusa.
“The severe drought drastically reduced our harvest, forcing us to consume everything we had — even our livestock. Eventually, I had to leave the land and use what little money I had saved to open a small tea shop in the city.” - Ferdusa
Though the tea shop helped her meet some daily needs, it wasn’t enough to sustain a family of twelve.
In 2024, hope returned through an initiative led by Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project focused on enhancing the adaptive capacity of communities in Ethiopia to become more resilient to climate change by scaling up best practices and adopting an integrated approach.
Tesfaye Woldeyes, a UNDP project manager working on the initiative, recalls his first visit to the area, “When I came to this area in 2024 for an assessment and community consultation, the farmland was completely dry. The situation seemed hopeless, and uncertainty weighed heavily on the entire community. But through a series of consultations, awareness sessions, and training, we’ve been able to rebuild hope and revive local farming.”
Ferdusa was among those who took part in these efforts. With support from the Woreda Environment Bureau, she and others formed a community group to restart farming in their area.
“We received improved seed varieties, farming hand tools, training on modern farming practices, and ongoing extension support,” she explains. “From our first harvest, we cultivated 35 hectares and earned around 580,000 birr (approximately USD 4,400). That success gave us hope and motivation.”
The group is now preparing for the next season, anticipating earnings of about 450,000 birr (USD 3,400). While this is a slight decline due to crop disease and market fluctuations, their confidence remains strong.
Dek Abdullahi Abdi, the Gode Woreda project coordinator, says the project is creating lasting change, “This initiative has brought about an ideological shift. Beyond providing materials, it helps pastoralist communities build awareness, acquire new skills, and diversify their income. Despite the presence of fertile soil and the Shebelle River, our resources were underutilized. Now, through sustainable farming and better water management, communities are starting to unlock their potential.”
Women like Ferdusa are at the heart of this transformation.
“This project not only provided us with tools — it helped us believe in our own strength. Now, we’re not just working to feed our family. We’re showing others in our community that change is possible.” - Ferdusa
Through her journey, Ferdusa symbolizes the strength and determination of many Ethiopian women on the frontlines of climate adaptation — proving that with the right support, even the most vulnerable can thrive.