Fair Planet, an Israeli non-profit organization has organized an Annual Open Day in collaboration with Haramaya University on February 24, 2018.

The Annual Open Day was commenced by visiting farming fields at Tony Farm, Dire Dawa. During the event, panel discussion was held with concerned government officials, researchers, farmers and other stakeholders. The founder of Fair Planet, Dr. Shoshan Haran , has  welcomed the honorable guests and participants of the panel discussion. In her opening speech, she has asserted that the goal of the Fair Planet project is to improve productivity and income of  the Ethiopian small holder farmers.

Dr. Shoshan said, “Some of the main problems of Ethiopian farmers are susceptibility of local seed varieties to pests and diseases. By making high quality vegetable seeds, suitable to local condition, accessible and affordable to local farmers, the problems can be minimized.”

Professor Kebede Woldetsadik, Vice President for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development of Haramaya University, stated that the transfer of agricultural technologies are run and led by Israeli volunteers. He added that the technologies have got acceptance from Farmers’ Training center, model farmers and other stakeholders.

Speaking on the occasion, The Federal Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Eyasu Abreha said, “In order to enhance our farmers’ productivity, we have to assist technically, technologically and morally”.  He emphasized that farmers should not face scarcity of seeds and technologies important for production.