BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
The plant has historically been ascribed as a tree against hunger, due to domesticated plants having important attributes that support the food security of citizens. Its role was evident during the famines of the 1980s, where enset-growing communities reported little to no food insecurity.
As a result, Enset farming provides long-term sustainable food supply which is capable of buffering not only seasonal and periodic food deficits with minimum off-farm input, but also demonstrates that it exceeds its current utilization.
However, Enset agriculture has received surprisingly little extension, development, or research attention perhaps because the production and utilization system is unique when compared to other cereal farming. And its production processes are complex and other reasons. It is an underexploited starch crop with significant potential in Ethiopia.
In order to identify the plant and the reasons behind its ineffective utilization, The Ethiopian Herald had a stay with Arba Minch University Biotechnology Lecturer and Researcher Addisu Fekadu (Ph.D).
Although the plant is a stable food for over 20 million people, it is still neglected from utilizing efficiently and properly to support sustaining food security. To change the situation especially to benefit the community by generating income from it by further processing and development, Arba Minch University has been conducting different researches, Addisu (Ph.D) explained.
To modernize its production, fermentation process and others, the university has been performing various research and awareness creation activities. According to him, Enset is a special plant that the country owns, but did not efficiently utilize even if it has a capacity to ensure food security of the nation.
As said by the researcher, there are 24 to 25 percent of Enset product wastages due to the inability to process and consume it. Many of the people in areas where the plant grows have over 100 plants individually, but only a small share of it is utilized as it needs modern technology, takes time and other problems. Applying modern technology and systems on Enset processing systems will have a potential to penetrate African and world markets.
Research conducted in areas such as Sidama, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ State, and some parts of Oromia, there is a high level of wastages while processing in traditional ways and transportation. He says: “If we use it properly and efficiently, the crop is high income generating. However, the concerned bodies didn’t give due emphasis for it.”
According to him, the university has been conducting research on Enset to widely utilize it for food and income generation. Producing, developing and utilizing it in a modern way especially by applying new technologies and systems will make it productive in several ways including its high
drought resistance capacity and others. “If due attention is given to it, its service will be equal to Teff. And it is an important product to ensure food security in the country.”
Right up to the present, Ethiopia has not utilized a quarter of its product. Currently, some of the famers are removing and replacing it by Chat and other plants for
commercialization. Stakeholders have to play their roles to guarantee the food security.
As a responsible stakeholder, Arba Minch University has been conducting researches to make it more productive by preparing modern fermentation pots and yeast to benefit the community. Besides, it has been working to foster the increased awareness of the community. To outreach the results of the research to the community, it needs the collaboration of stakeholders, he stated.
The biological, agricultural, ecological, social and economic components that make up Enset based agricultural systems are greatly needed to increase production and distribution of Enset products, not only within rural areas, but also for urban markets.
Promoting essential technical and technological packages to farmers is mandatory to support it. Giving due attention will pave the way for production improvements via research and extension programs, he added.
Due to acculturation and urbanization coupled with climate change, replacement according to its current value, emerging pests and the introduction of new crops, the extensive indigenous knowledge associated with this crop is in danger in some areas jeopardizing the future food security and its benefits.
Currently, it is enhancing the food security of approximately 20 million people and has earned it the title “The Tree against Hunger”. Although there is huge potential in the country, it needs the attention of stakeholders at each level.
Addressing the major challenges in the development and wider cultivation such as farming systems, processing methods, products, medicinal uses and cultural importance as well as fermentation is important. Moreover, improving the quality, consistency and comparability of the crop enables it to enhance its productivity and sustainability.
According to the World Food Programme (2013), Ethiopia has been the largest recipient of targeted food aid despite being a center of diversity and domestication for food crops. Ethiopia’s agricultural history is characterized by the domestication including coffee, teff, chat, finger millet, Enset and the like. Whilst the coffee has become one of the most highly traded global commodity crops and others have widespread and growing international importance, Enset has remained largely overlooked.
It is perhaps the only major Ethiopian domesticated crop that has never been cultivated out-side Ethiopia, despite wild populations occurring from Ethiopia. It could play a key role in meeting food security challenges not only in Ethiopia, but also the other nations.
Under appropriate conditions, it is estimated that some mature plants can provide enough food for a family of five to six people, over the course of a year. Proper use of this neglected starch staple plant pulls out many people from food insecurity. It has the capacity to afford the food security of the smallholders its distribution, expanded Addisu (Ph.D).
It has also the benefits of the agricultural systems, agroforestry, crop wild relative, food security, home gardens, indigenous knowledge, medicinal use, sustainable agriculture and protects tropical crop ecology, he detailed further.
Applying technologies and improving Enset farming systems will contribute to the long-term sustainability of food production through several mechanisms. It is perceived to be relatively tolerant of drought, withstand heavy rain, tolerate flooding, and endure frost damage. In addition to this, it can be harvested at any time during the year, at any growth stage over a period of several years and the fermented products can be stored for a long period, Addisu (Ph.D) notes.
Therefore, the world has to value the invaluable edible plant endemic to Ethiopia to guarantee food security through adding to the climate change resilience.
The Ethiopian Herald February 5/2013
