Why Farmers Love Oats

Abera Zemedu is a student and a farmer. He works on his family's farm in Chacha village, Amhara state. As he showed the Rich Oats team across their oat fields, he shared that his family has been growing oats in Debre Berhan for over twenty years - since before he was born. They have valued growing oats even when it was solely promoted as a fodder crop. He pointed out that they see the nutritional benefits for human consumption and to fatten the cattle they breed and sell. When asked if they have an interest in a higher-yielding variety of oats being introduced to the market, he responded, "Yes! We would be delighted. We are waiting and ready to expand our oats production."

His family's ambition is rooted in big dreams as Abera's father is encouraging his children to stay in school. While speaking to Abera, his younger sister came to the side of the field; she confidently told the group that she plans to be a doctor. Abera and his family hope growing oats will help her get there.