In the Huletu Wegedami Kebele of Ethiopia’s Amhara Region, 45-year-old Tensay Tsegeye is a testament to resilience. As a single mother of four, she has spent years balancing the demands of crop and livestock farming to support her family. While she is a pillar of her community today, her path was initially defined by hardships as she fought to provide for her family.

For years, Tensay navigated the complexities of financial constraints. While she owned 0.5 hectares of farmland, ownership did not equate to productivity. Lacking the capital for improved seeds, fertilizers, essential tools, or even oxen for plowing, she was often forced to rent her land to other farmers.

This arrangement left her with only a fraction of the harvest; a yield barely sufficient to sustain her children. Without a surplus to sell, meeting basic household needs and ensuring her children stayed in school was a constant struggle. Furthermore, Tensay faced a “credit ceiling” common to many women in her position; lenders often doubted her ability to repay, effectively locking her out of the formal financial system.

Tensay’s story shifted when AGRA, in partnership with the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), introduced an agricultural input credit initiative through an e-voucher system in Dera Woreda.

This program was designed to dismantle the specific barriers she faced by providing her with the credit necessary to purchase high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other essential farming tools. Beyond providing physical supplies, the initiative equipped her with critical knowledge; Tensay worked closely with local agricultural experts to master modern techniques such as precise land preparation, optimized fertilizer application, and strategic crop management. Together, these resources and skills allowed her to transition from a struggling landholder to
a productive, independent farmer.

With the right resources and guidance, Tensay transitioned from renting out her land to cultivating it herself. Her maize yields increased significantly, providing a regular income for the first time.

To ensure this newfound growth was sustainable, Tensay participated in financial literacy training facilitated by Abay Bank and Tsedey Bank. She learned the fundamentals of saving, budgeting, and planning for seasonal farm expenses. This financial foundation allowed her to
diversify her livelihood. Following dairy farming training from World Vision Ethiopia, she purchased cows and began selling milk locally,creating a second, steady stream of revenue.

The impact of these interventions has moved beyond the farm gate. Through disciplined saving and reinvestment, Tensay has achieved milestones that once seemed out of reach. She purchased a plot of land in town and built a modest, secure home for her family, and she also supported her daughter in launching a small tea and coffee business to foster independence for the next generation.

Additionally, Tensay is now an active voice in household and community discussions, participating in local women’s activities with renewed confidence. Reflecting on her journey from a struggling landholder to a successful agribusiness owner, Tensay attributes her transformation to the combination of modern inputs and financial education.

Today, she lives by a simple, powerful mantra: “Someone who saves today will not worry about tomorrow”.