Technical and Vocational Agriculture Academy (TVAA) - Ethiopia

American colleagues and I in Minnesota are currently in the process of establishing an international NGO known as the “Technical and Vocational Agriculture Academy (TVAA)” in Ethiopia, my country of origin. The TVAA project was established in the year 2020 as a 501©(3) Non – Profit NGO in the State of Minnesota, and is registered with the IRS (IRS Registration Number: 115695870025 and Employment Identification Number: 85 – 0867894) under the name “Leeqa Nakamte Agriculture Training Project – Ethiopia”. Its principal missions are: ● Training of unemployed and underprivileged young people in practical hands-on farming techniques so as to enable them become self-employed and financially self-sufficient MODERN farmers in rural Ethiopia. ● Innovation of traditional and obsolete farming implements, for example through redesigning of the Ethiopian plow, yokes, etc. to be drawn by a single ox or one horse or one mule, as well as enhance hand-held farm tools. ● Introduce advanced post-harvest storage facilities and processing technology; solar-powered irrigation system, and regenerative agricultural practices to boost productivity and sustainability. ● Job Creation for school staff, the surrounding community and thus contribute to grassroots economic development - Development from BOTTOM UP. We are collaborating with American innovators, including Tillers International (Michigan) and LEMA Solar (Somerset, Wisconsin) and a couple of others. Even so, we are currently facing challenges in securing grants and broader organizational support. Kano Banjaw, Ph.D. Associate Professor Phone: 651-410-9609 TVAA Website: www.tvaaetyouth