A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Rift Valley Lakes Basin Authority and IDH on the 9th of March.
The purpose of the MoU was to show the agreement between the two parties to work in collaboration to address sustainable land and water management issues in the Central Rift Valley area of Ethiopia through the Initiative for sustainable landscape of IDH.
Meetings were held on 11 & 12 March 2016 between the ISLA Ethiopia program manager and the Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency as well as the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers & Exporters association. The purpose of the meetings was to initiate collaboration on a pilot project to get selected smallholder cooperatives certified for global GAP. The goal of certification is to introduce good agricultural practices that can better safeguard land and water resources in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Producing certifiable products is also expected to attract better incomes for the farmers from potential buyers hence creating a business case for improved practices. Both meetings were concluded in agreement by all parties confirming to provide necessary support for the pilot project.