According to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) forecast, among the many adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic; the world may face food-shortage over the next few months. Following this warning, they are urging countries and other international organizations to take the necessary precautions.
Beyond uplifted debts and dwindled tax revenues of poor countries, distorted issues are observed here and there because of the pandemic as budgets for other socioeconomic and political issues have shifted to the health sector.
In this context, the immediate and efficient solution must be addressed to the problems associated with the production and to prevent the food shortages predicted by the international organizations mentioned above, and if this occurs, it is a time for integrated measure to tackle before it invites tragic consequences.
In a recent report by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), in East Africa, more than 20 million people are currently starving to death because of food insecurity. According to the organization’s forecast, the number of people who are not guaranteed food security in the next three months could be as high as 34 to 43 million.
Therefore, it is important to co-ordinate arrangements with the existing production and productivity inputs in order to cope with the challenge of food insecurity and the challenge possibly faces the country.
At present, it is believed that supply and distribution of inputs should be prioritized in order to prevent the decline in production due to the spread of coronavirus and boost production and productivity of the 2020 harvest.
Ministry of Agriculture, as a leading institution of the sector can be considered to be obligated to protect the agriculture at this crucial time. In view of this, there is no need to argue that maintaining the health of the farmers is a top priority. Oumer Hussein, Minister of Agriculture, during his extensive stay with the EBC recently said that awareness raising work regarding corona has been done to the farmers by deploying 70,000 development station workers. Extensive efforts have been made to maintain the health of the farmer without disrupting production.
According to the Minister’s explanation preparation was made identifying vulnerability and recognizing that food security can be a challenge as a nation. Therefore, discussion was held with the regions and reached consensus by identifying what to be done in the next six months. As 20 percent of the population lives in poverty and easily fall into crisis when such a problem occurs; a work considering this is being done.
Currently, there are a high proportion of people living under direct aid in Ethiopia. 6 million people are directly in government support; About 8 million is also in the safety net program. This means that 14 million people of the country are aid dependent. As a result of the pandemic, as many as 9 up to 10 million people will be in crisis, looks for government’s hand. The government, recognizing this in a precautionary work, has developed plan and is working with stakeholders.
In the current world entangled with coronavirus, providing agricultural supply at the required amount and rate is among the challenges. “We share the problem as much of our agricultural input comes from abroad. So far, 70 percent of fertilizer needed for the current crop production is fulfilled including the leftover from the past year. In the coming months, efforts will be made to meet the rest. It has been a good opportunity to start with the Ministry of Transport very early in the process of importing fertilizer,” the Minister explained.
The key issue here is not importing the fertilizer. It is crucial that considering safe distribution method as the farmer cannot take fertilizer making a long queue as before. Therefore, work has been done to distribute the fertilizer keeping physical distance being assisted by experts. Oumer said that the fertilizer will be distributed in about 120 centers.
The farmer should not take fertilizer lately in June. It is important to buy and store it in advance. To do this is a task expected of development professionals and the farmers needs to understand this and cooperate. The opportunity to obtain information is also provided by calling freely on 88 telephone number to understand the delivery date of fertilizer.
According to Ainalem Nigussie, State Minister of the Ministry, About 1.7 million metric tons of soil fertilizer is needed for the 2020 production season. Out of this, 1.4 million metric tons will be purchased and imported whereas; 330, 624.90 metric tons is a leftover from 2019.
According to the State Minister so far, 950, 183 metric tons has already arrived port and transportation is underway. This accounts for 65.1 percent of the annual plan. It is possible to supply 280, 807.9 metric tons, or 71.6 percent of the plan, including the leftover from the past year.
With regard to the best seed, the total annual demand is 467,195.5 quintals. So far, 64 percent have been met. Further collection, preparation and dissemination work will be done. The overall plan for the pesticides and anti-weeds is 715, 598 liters in which 67,050 liters are at hand and additional procurement and distribution activities are underway, the State Minister said.
Raising and selling livestock is also a major part of farmer’s life alongside the farming process. Of course, he does so also by going to the markets. Therefore, the minister explained what precautions are taken as it may increase the risk of infection.
According to Oumer, Various activities have been done to keep the transaction keeping social distance since stopping markets is not viable to the farmer. On the other hand, marketing through cooperatives is also considered as an option. Thus, the cooperatives are being set up at a specific location to receive the animals or to carry out the transaction. Despite all this caution, it is stated that the common contact with animals in the last transaction should stopped.
Since the day the corona invasion entered the country, there has been widespread fear that food shortages will occur. This is especially true in urban areas, where the population seen purchasing and accumulating large quantities of food. The possibility that the people involved in shoplifting has been widely observed. But the reality on the ground is different.
“What we eat this year is what is produced last year, and we will use this year’s crop for next year. This means that regardless of what society wants in the market, there is no shortage of production because the quantity of produce of last year is sufficient as a nation. If shortages occur, may be the next year due to interrupted agricultural activities.”
The Ministry of Agriculture has realized this, and has already started doing on it. For example, more than 80 percent of agricultural irrigation has been done. In addition, if it is possible to develop irrigation fields such as sugar and irrigable farmers’ fields; it is possible to get more than the projected amount and exposure can also be reduced The current forecast of the weather shows that the climate is good in all parts of the country. This is another opportunity. Therefore, 30 to 40 million quintals more production is underway. Efforts are also being made to go beyond traditional productivity and production method. In this regard, there is a focus on the products such as corn and sorghum which are ready for harvest soon.
Oumer said that doing all this, shortage in production could occur, but the amount of shortage can be reduced. If corona’s problem is exacerbated, it can also lead to global food insecurity. Because it is more likely to not only sell but to produce. Therefore, as a country, it is necessary to travel beyond the normal agricultural route.
As a country, most of the focus will be on combating the virus to prevent the harm of the coronavirus. In this type of crisis, the normal functioning of the body is likely to be impaired. Thus, preventing corona on one hand and putting the other on activities that are common and require daily attention is a must.
It is almost as encouraging that the activities of the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the sector’s leader in this corona season. Even leaving other supports behind, the recent supports conducted may be a good indication of the conclusion.
Established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Development Partners, the Livestock and Fisheries Sector Development Project has supported 28 new field vehicles and 146 motorcycles for 6 regions that will help solve logistical problems and accelerate the development of livestock and fisheries.
According to the Minister, this vehicle support for the regions not only helps in the prevention and control of animal diseases, but also has a special significance in addressing the logistical problems associated with the coronavirus.
The World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supported three additional helicopters for Ethiopia. These three helicopters are said to have a significant role in facilitating desert locust exploration, and in the short term, covering large areas of land and reducing pest damage.
The Ethiopian Herald June 16, 2021
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
