KINGAROY and Ethiopia are worlds apart, but for one man, the South Burnett holds the key to farming success in parts of Africa.
PHD student Solomon Seyoum has lived in Kingaroy for the past eight months studying our maize crops and learning how to optimise production back in Ethiopia.
Mr Seyoum said his home country experienced drought similar to Australia and wanted to learn how to better manage it.
"Because Australia has been drought-stricken, the two countries have a lot in common," he said.
Although there were similarities, he said the drought affected Ethiopians even more.
"Drought directly affects us and our crops more because we can't rely on previous years' crops and we're a lot less financially stable," he said.
Mr Seyoum said producing high-yielding crops was important in Ethiopia because the country relied on maize as a source of food much more than Australians.
"Grain is mainly produced for livestock and exporting here, but in Ethiopia it's used for direct consumption," he said.
"So it's almost more important we get it right."
He said it was a main source of food for Ethiopians.
"It's used for bread, porridge, and people also eat it at the green stage," he said.
"It's a staple food, so it's really important all across Africa."
From what he learnt from Australian practice, Mr Seyoum said he would suggest Ethiopian farmers make some changes.
"I will suggest they use a different variety to what they're using," he said.
"With different management and a good optimum environment."
If his research meant Ethiopian farmers could see better yields from their maize crops, Mr Seyoum said he would be a happy man. "If they can get a better yield, it will mean they'll have enough food and income," he said.
"It's been a very successful few years of study. Australia has a good model. People are doing a good job here."
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