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MEDA’s EMERTA project is working to increase decent employment opportunities and the incomes of women and men in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The project improves the business performances of agricultural producers and of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that buy and supply inputs, equipment, and services. The project also supports business service providers, training institutions, and government bodies.
The goal of the EMERTA project is to increase sustainable employment and income generation of women and men in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Its focus is on the rice, vegetable, and gemstone sectors.
The EMERTA project is striving to benefit 16,000 women and men and over 275 small businesses in the Amhara Region. So far, it has reached over 13,000 clients.
More than 80% of Ethiopians live in rural areas where small-scale agriculture and artisanal mining activities are the dominant industries. Yet, despite the two industries’ importance, the sectors underperform. In the agricultural sector, the lack of modern machinery, seed systems, and agricultural techniques results in lower quality rice and vegetables. In the mining sector, workers face several challenges including a lack of modern techniques and machinery for production, undeveloped marketing systems, few quality inputs, and outdated gemstone sourcing and handling practices.
EMERTA supports workers, farmers, and businesses in the rice, vegetable, and gemstone sectors. The project focuses on the agriculture (rice and vegetables) and gemstones sectors to assist the Ethiopian government’s focus on driving economic growth (as identified in its Growth and Transformation Plan II).
EMERTA also works with local and national governments to foster policies that help small businesses to succeed.
EMERTA is strengthening the competitiveness and profitability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It achieves this by:
Mennonite Economic Development Associates is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.
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