Yilma Bekele

Agricultural innovator who transformed Ethiopia’s rural economy through sustainable farming

Yilma Bekele, born in 1975 in Ethiopia, is a visionary entrepreneur whose work in agricultural technology has revitalized rural economies in East Africa. In 2003, he founded Kilimo Agricultural Solutions, a company focused on developing affordable irrigation systems and drought-resistant crop varieties. His innovations, such as the WaterHarvest drip irrigation system, have enabled smallholder farmers to triple their yields in arid regions like the Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia.

Bekele’s approach combines traditional knowledge with modern science. For instance, his team revived ancient foggara underground water channels, adapting them to modern irrigation needs. By 2015, his initiatives had empowered over 50,000 households, reducing food insecurity and migration to urban areas. His work also inspired the Green Ethiopia initiative, a government-backed program to plant 20 billion trees by 2030.

In 2018, Bekele launched the Kilimo Foundation, which trains young farmers in climate-smart practices. His TED Talk, 'How to Grow Food in a Drying World,' has been viewed over 1 million times. Despite his success, Bekele remains committed to grassroots collaboration, often saying, 'Agriculture is not just a business—it’s a lifeline.'