SNV supported six honey processing companies in Ethiopia to develop links to new EU, USA and Middle East markets, resulting in honey exports of 30MT in 2008. By the beginning of 2011, exports were at over 400 MT. In addition, by 2011, about 80,000 beekeepers were reached through an out grower scheme supported by SNV. The export of table honey is ready for major up-scaling and accompanied commercial investments in the years to come.
In 2011, SNV in Ethiopia signed a three year agreement of Euro 1,275,000 with the Oromia Regional Bureau of Water, Mineral Energy/ Regional Biogas Coordination Office and the Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company, for credit financing of the biogas households in the National Biogas Programme. Under this agreement, 6000 households, reaching 30,000 people, in Oromia regional state will each receive Euro 272 to access biogas technology.
SNV is working with local capacity builders in Ethiopia to improve access, quality and affordability of reusable sanitary pads for school girls. So far, 1800 girls have access to locally produced re-usable sanitary pad at a cost of US$0.03 each. The initiative has been implemented in five primary schools and one secondary school in the four districts. 14 local women from four districts have been trained and are producing these pads. This initiative will be up-scaled to other districts in Ethiopia.
