Transforming Mango Farming in Southern Ethiopia: Insights from icipe's High-Impact Workshop

Strategic Insights -

In southern Ethiopia, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) hosted a pivotal training workshop aimed at transforming mango farming in the Gamo Zone. Convening 154 participants from June 12 to 16, 2025, the event focused on equipping stakeholders with climate-smart, sustainable, and market-oriented farming practices. The workshop, supported by the Biovision Foundation, drew participants from the Arba Minch Zuria and Mirab Abaya districts, where mango production is threatened by pests such as fruit flies and white mango scale.

Key Takeaways:

  • The workshop brought together 154 participants, including youth-led enterprises, researchers, development agents, cooperatives, and representatives from government and the private sector, for five days of intensive technical and entrepreneurial training.
  • The initiative, supported by the Biovision Foundation, focused on climate-smart, sustainable, and market-oriented farming practices, with a specific emphasis on addressing pests such as fruit flies and white mango scale.
  • The Gamo Zone has immense potential in horticulture, particularly in mango and banana production, but is facing threats such as fruit fly infestations, white mango scale, and disease outbreaks.
  • The workshop featured two parallel training streams: one focused on mango nursery and orchard management, pest and disease control, post-harvest handling, crop diversification, and value addition; the other targeted youth and producer enterprises with modules on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, agribusiness management, and complementary livelihoods.
  • Participants engaged in practical demonstrations, particularly around mango pest management, with emphasis on fruit fly control and white mango scale, and reinforced the adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient practices.
  • The workshop highlighted the importance of bridging technical training with entrepreneurship, creating viable agribusiness opportunities, especially for young people.
  • Messrs. Mageso Mayshole, Zemedkun Amtatawu, and Bayu Enchalew emphasized the significance of applying knowledge and skills gained to address the challenges faced by mango farmers in the Gamo Zone.

Statistics:

  • 154 participants attended the workshop, representing various stakeholders including youth-led enterprises, researchers, development agents, cooperatives, and government representatives.
  • Two parallel training streams were conducted, focusing on different aspects of mango farming and entrepreneurship.
  • The workshop emphasized addressing specific pests such as fruit flies and white mango scale, which threaten mango production in the Gamo Zone.
  • 154 participants engaged in practical demonstrations and field-based sessions, reinforcing the adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient practices.

Sources:

  • International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
  • Biovision Foundation
  • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
  • Arba Minch Research Centre
  • Arba Minch Plant Health Clinic
  • Gamo Zone Agriculture Bureau
  • Yelemat Tirufat (national government strategy)