Presentation about Learning Journey (PDF) - Synergos

LEARNING JOURNEY IN
ETHIOPIA
March 7 and 8, 2012

Trip and Objective
On March 7 and 8, 2012, the Synergos Institute in
Ethiopia organized and coordinated a learning journey
trip for 49 staff of the Agricultural Transformation
Agency (ATA), including its leadership.
The trip was organized with the intention of exposing
ATA staff to the realities at the grassroots level, by
making it possible for them to take part in the life of a
small-scale farmer and his/her family for one day and
a half.
It was the first such trip of its kind in Ethiopia, and the
impact it had on ATA staff members was significant.

Trip Activities and Intent
Eight kebeles (i.e. lowest
administrative unit) were
selected in the Rift Valley area
of the Oromia Regional State.
Then 6 households were
identified in each kebele to host
the staff.
ATA staff met each of the
communities that were hosting
them and spent the afternoon,
the night and the following
morning with a small-scale
farmer family.

Trip Activities and Intent
Their mission was to observe the
lives of small-scale farmers and
engage with them, so that they
can understand the truths on the
ground.
The exercise was crafted so that
the ATA staff can observe,
reflect on observations and
review their work plans for the
year in accordance to their
observations.
Here you can see an ATA staff
helping host pound Enset

Trip Activities and Intent
The different groups, as per their kebele assignment,
were directed to share their observations/ reflections
during the first retreat session. Synergos provided three
guiding points that their reflections should focus on. They
were expected to:
Define poverty based on their observations, and the
emotions felt, whilst refraining from the academic definitions.
Identify the exciting/ depressing “moment of the truth” for
them in this sensing or feeling experience with the farmers.
Share experiences taken to heart from the exposure that
bolstered their commitment to the cause of ATA and the
poor.

Number of ATA Staff Exposed
Initially, 58 ATA staff were expected to take part in the learning journey and the two-day
retreat that was to follow right after.
Those 49 that made it gained a great deal from their trip; they were able to witness,
firsthand, the realities of the small-scale farmer’s life.

Issues Raised during Reflections
All ATA staff appreciated and were humbled by the
difficulties and challenges that they observed and
experienced.
Each group understood that the level of poverty that
they witnessed resulted from shortcomings in various
sectors (in addition to that of those in the agricultural
sector):
Lack of water
Lack of access to health facilities
Lack of education
Lack of jobs available
Lack of electricity

Issues Raised during Reflections
Groups also recognized that there were other factors
that contributed to the farmers’ poverty:
Over-sized families
Small land holdings (which had to be shared)
Lack of new technologies
Groups in addition realized that there were a great
many issues regarding agricultural inputs. They noted
that a great many farmers did not have access to:
seeds and fertilizers,
good quality of seeds and fertilizers, or
finances that will allow them to obtain good seeds and
fertilizers.

Issues Raised during Reflections
Groups recognized that the poverty they saw was
beyond those they expected.
They understood that there was a range of factors that
contributed to the poverty and that it is important to
take those into consideration when planning.
They also stated that it was very unlikely that smallscale
farmers and families would be able to come out
of poverty even if the agricultural sector was to be
reinvigorated as farmers were challenged by many
shortcomings in different sectors.

Results
ATA staff appreciated the learning journey for
providing them the opportunity to have direct relations
and experiences with a small-scale farmer family. (Most
have never seen a farmer or been inside a farmer’s
home before)
They explained that the learning journey had provided
them with a clear understanding of who ATA is working
for and why the Agency’s work is so important.
They stated that the trip has inspired them to work even
harder to contribute to the alleviation of these farmers’
and their families’ poverty.

Results
They recognized that farmers have a strong
understanding of farming and a strong knowledge base
regarding soil, crops and cultivation (i.e. indigenous and
otherwise)
Each ATA staff also greatly appreciated the hospitality
of the farmers and were touched and humbled by their
generosity in sharing all the have despite the great
poverty that they live in.
They also respected the farmers’ for being able to
continue in their efforts to improve their conditions
despite the challenges faced.

The Host Communities
Daily activities of women in smallscale
households: preparing meals,
fetching water and firewood.

The Host Communities
An example of a small-scale farmer households
(as you can see, families are large in size)
Young man farming
Women sitting together at the
community introduction meeting

The Host Communities and ATA
ATA staff in various kebeles with the community