Horticulture is one of the sub sectors of agriculture that was given due attention in the first and second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) of Ethiopia. The development of horticulture plays two critical roles in the economy: foreign exchange earnings and employment generation.
The industry though still employs a large number of workforces and the majority of which are women, given its potential, the employment opportunities created thus far leaves much to be desired. The major factors for the poor performance of the subsector were difficulties in supplying land required for development of horticulture, concentration of market destinations, inability to diversify export markets and limitation in supplying the required inputs. Despite these experiences, there is still huge demand for investment in the horticulture industry.
Taking nation’s potential for the sub-sector, the Ministry of Agriculture is undertaking various activities to curb the challenges the sector has faced and increase the productivity.
Ministry’s Public Relations Director Bahiru Setegn said that there are good opportunities for the development of horticulture in Ethiopia since it has suitable agro ecology (plenty of water, climate, and
soil) and human power. However, horticulture development is still at infancy stage
To this reason, a number of bottlenecks can be mentioned. For instance, limitations of inputs, especially improved seeds, shortage of capital, poor market linkages and infrastructures, post-harvest loss are few among the major ones. As a result, the nation could not benefit from the sector at the required level.
The issue of post-harvest handling practices and value addition of key fruit and vegetables is the other challenge post-harvest loss is so high. Furthermore, unavailability of adequate post-harvest handling equipment’s and materials are worsening the situation.
To tackle such bottlenecks, the Ministry is working with stakeholders and partners. Currently, it has given due attention to increase the product and productivity of horticulture by providing successive trainings to sector practitioners and smallholder farmers. The main objective such training aims to strengthen human power regarding to horticultures development, he remarked.
For instance, it has offered a well-organized short-term training, to strengthen human power regarding to horticultures in Melkasa Agriculture Research Center. In Melkasa, 326 Development Agents (DAs) and other stakeholders drawn from different states, zones and woredas have taken the training for about 15 days. The training has been given targeting how to develop horticulture production, and identify pests and diseases as well as their protection method
The training deals with horticulture development strategy, pest prevention mechanism, among others. The training has been given targeting how to develop horticulture production, identifying pests and diseases including curtailing horticulture diseases.
Horticulture Development Director at the Ministry Abdella Negash on his part said that the Ministry is conducting different mechanisms in order to create skilled human power in the sector. Regarding to this, horticulture development and irrigation, training was given for 334 sector professionals and other agricultural experts, he added.
As to him, more extension and research should be done for the development of horticulture.
He said the Ministry unveiled 10 years horticulture development and market strategy, adding that, the regional states also organized their own horticulture strategy depend on the context.
“The country is managing to gain from the sector through exporting quality horticulture produces to abroad. Thus, the Ministry prioritizes introduction of improved seeds for farmers released from research centers like Melkasa Agricultural Research Center.
There should be successive joint interventions of organizations at all levels to bring the horticulture development strategy effective, he urged.
He emphasized research center to focus on promoting the sector through introducing new pests and diseases prevention mechanisms along with their respective ecological zone.
According to him, multiplication of seeds that give quality production, strong market linkage to enable the farmers be beneficiary from their yields, addressing post-harvest technologies for farmers, promoting skilled human power in the sector pays off.
The training sought transforming the traditional ways of spraying chemicals by household level farmers to utilizing latest technologies in the sector. Appropriate utilization of chemicals according to different agro ecologies is important to assist a healthy horticulture growing.
Accordingly, in addition to earning significant foreign exchange horticulture is known as the driver of agriculture.
The Ethiopian Herald February 20/2019
BY TEWODROS KASSA
