About Melkam Farms
An Ethiopian agribusiness committed to sustainable farming and empowering local communities.
Our Vision
To strengthen small-scale farming through regenerative practices, gender-sensitive culture, and sustainable food systems.
Our Mission
Melkam Farms is dedicated to transforming agriculture in Ethiopia by:
Meet Our Team
Meet the passionate individuals behind Melkam Farms and learn about their vision for sustainable agriculture in Ethiopia.
Berket Nega
Founder & CEO
Banteamlak Mengstie
Head of Farm Operations
Fikru Solomon
Operations Supervisor
Yusaef Alemu
Partner Farm Manager
The Challenges We Address
Farmers in Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia face significant challenges that we're working to overcome.
Soil Degradation
The soil's organic matter has significantly decreased over time due to:
- Repeated mono-cropping
- Removal of plant residues for cattle feed
- Heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers
These practices have reduced soil fertility, lowered crop yields, and increased pests and diseases.
Overuse of Pesticides
This has led to:
- Pesticide-resistant pests
- Increased diseases
- Environmental damage
Limited Access to Quality Seedlings
Farmers travel 180 km round trip for seedlings, which is a burden. To cope, they often buy from nearby nurseries that lack quality standards, resulting in weak seedlings. This:
- Reduces productivity
- Increases production costs
Limited Market Access and Unfair Pricing
Farmers rely on brokers to sell their crops, often at low prices, lacking direct access to markets and bargaining power.
This creates an unsustainable cycle of low returns on investment and limited growth opportunities.
Join Our Mission
Help us transform agriculture in Ethiopia and create sustainable livelihoods for local farmers.
Contact Us Today