Since 2012, Traid has funded PAN UK and PAN Ethiopia to improve the livelihoods, health, and environment of cotton farmers by phasing out hazardous pesticides and promoting organic crop production. In 2025, Traid has committed £286,943 to a two-year programme to continue this work, strengthening Ethiopian farmers’ self-reliance and resilience to climate change and the expansion of cotton markets through agroecological farming methods.

Agroecological farming is the practice of applying ecological principles to agriculture to mitigate climate change, reduce emissions, recycle natural resources, and prioritise local supply chains.

Our success with this project has helped Ethiopian farmers grow crops without toxic pesticides. The results of agroecological farming include:

• 8,000 farmers trained to grow cotton without pesticides
• 50% higher cotton yields achieved without pesticides
• Ethiopia’s first-ever organic cotton certifications awarded
• Four farming co-operatives and eight women’s enterprises established

Our renewed funding will build on these successes, training an additional 7,500 farmers across the Gamo and Welaita zones. Farmers will learn to reduce pesticide use and adopt organic farming methods through the highly successful Farmer Field School (FFS) model.

The FFS is a hands-on programme where groups of farmers learn to grow crops organically and stop using dangerous pesticides. Topics include: recognising beneficial insects versus harmful pests, identifying crop diseases, and maintaining and improving crop health through natural farming techniques such as applying food sprays. In addition, the project will train 60 Government Development Agents to facilitate Farmer Field Schools, lead Learning Circles, and integrate organic practices into their work.

Another aspect of this project has been increasing female farmer participation, which has been incredibly successful. Participation by women in the organic agricultural sector is now 30% higher than in traditional farming. This success has enabled women’s microbusinesses to emerge and prosper, with groups of local women establishing organic cotton seed cleaning enterprises to ensure farmers have the best seeds ready for planting.

In this programme 246 women who are members of microenterprises will receive support in yarn production, organic cotton seed processing, and other income-generating activities. Seed processing plays a vital role in meeting the growing demand for organic cotton seed. The project aims to scale up seed multiplication, producing 200 quintals per year of high-quality organic cotton seed for farmers.

The project also seeks to strengthen cooperative business skills and cotton farmers’ access to markets, while building on the exciting ‘organic cotton corridor,’ a strategic initiative aimed at scaling up, mainstreaming, and normalising organic cotton production across the Gamo and Welaita zones. The initiative aims to institutionalise these practices through stakeholder engagement and integration into the Farmer Field School curriculum.

To build resilience against the effects of climate change and future proof their land, farmers are diversifying the crops. Alongside growing cotton, farmers who grow vegetable crops such as plantain, shea nuts, soya, and haricot beans can increase their food security and use the cash crops as another source of income. A wider range of crops also spreads out the farming season, giving farmers better chances of stronger yields and good harvests even if one crop fails.

With these new and exciting advancements and expansions of this programme, now more than ever farmers can significantly reduce their pesticide use and build their self-reliance and resilience to take community-led action to increase their income and health. Find out more about PAN UK and PAN Ethiopia here. If you would like to support Traid’s work, donate here.