The Mastercard Foundation team, led by Haile Dolango, Program Lead, Agriculture, Agribusiness and Agrifood Systems, tribute a visit to the MOYESH Programme sericulture sites around Arba Minch and Mirab Abaya Woredas from 2-4 August 2023.

During the three days, the visitors met and discussed with five youth/women-owned silkworm farming enterprises; in Shelle Mella village of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda; and in Kola Barana and Ugayehu villages of Miraba Abaya Woreda. The team also visited the Bere Sericulture PLC in Arba Minch. Visited enterprises were selected based on their specialities, performances, and prospects for expansion of sericulture development, as well as their engagement in multiple complementary business opportunities (poultry, crop, vegetable, etc.). The visitors observed the activities are being implemented on the ground and had tough discussions with different enterprise members.

Pictured: (l to r) Mr Haile Dolango, and his team listening to the explanation of Desalech Sewunet, chairperson of Edget enterprise about the ongoing activities taking place in the silkworm rearing room in Shele Mella village.

The visitors concluded their field mission by acknowledging the well-organized field visits, and interactions they had with the youth. They captured a valuable snapshot of some perspectives and opinions from organized youth members, government partners, and programme staff on the ongoing field activities. All the constructive conversations and the field observations are witnessing the scaling-up potential of sericulture development across the country.

More Young Entrepreneurs in Silk and Honey (MOYESH) Programme is a partnership between the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org), and the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works, the five-year initiative aims to see 150,000 young men and women in Ethiopia secure dignified and fulfilling work along honey and silk value chains. So far job opportunities created for 25,000 young people through sericulture development.