Addis Ababa: Arba Minch University, in partnership with Arba Minch Polytechnic and Vocational Institute and Lucy Enseth Organization, has announced a project aimed at creating over 1,500 jobs in three regions of Ethiopia. The project involves providing modern production equipment essential for the production of a variety of foods in a modernized way from Enset, a crop solely cultivated in the Ethiopian highlands by smallholder farmers. Vice President of Academic Affairs at Arba Minch University, Alemayehu Chufamo stated that the project will be implemented in Southern Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia and Sidama regions at a cost of over 50 million Birr. He emphasized the project's potential to alleviate work pressure and provide economic opportunities for many citizens. Vice President for Research and Community Liaison, Associate Professor Hailu Mordokios added that the project is expected to last for 18 months. Alemayehu Chufamo also highlighted the project as a part of broader homegrown economic reforms aime d at ensuring food security through sustainable job creation. He mentioned that Arba Minch University has been instrumental in this process by developing bread-making machines and baking yeast to modernize the bread production industry. A researcher on Enset and lecturer at the University, Addisu Fakadu emphasized the project's potential to using the by-product of Enset to manufacture various jewelries apart from the production of Enset. The University has been successful in establishing over 32 sugar mills in different regions, benefiting more than 32,000 rice-producing farmers. Source: Ethiopian News Agency