Ethiopia has not well benefited out of the horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, root crops and cut flowers though it is endowed with auspicious weather, altitude, adequate water and availability of suitable soils, the potential to develop these crops.
Hence, the government and other development partners are expected to well tap all what the country does have to reinvigorate economic development.
The government of Ethiopia has, of course, now attached due emphasis to the horticulture sector with a special focus on the development of fruits and vegetable sector.
The Horticultural Development Agency has also been established with a specific focus to promote and support the proliferation of vegetables and fruits in various researched areas across the nation.
The rising demand for new fruits and vegetables in developing countries like ours has contributed to an increase in trade volume of fresh products. This, in turn, has promoted the growth of small farms and the addition of new products, creating more rural and urban jobs and reduced the disparities in income levels among farms of different sizes.
Cognizant of the fact that the significance of the development of vegetables and fruits can scrupulously be viewed as an important economic input in the eyes of experts of the field, this writer approached Melese Alemayehu, an agro-economics graduate from Dilla University.
He said, “Vegetable production provides a promising economic opportunity for reducing rural dearth and unemployment in Ethiopia and is also a key component of farm diversification strategies. They are most affordable source of vitamins and minerals for good health. As neither the economic nor nutritional power of vegetables is sufficiently realized today in the country, the government and investors have to move in unison so as to enable the country to further utilize its untapped economic resources.”
As to Melese, the horticultural sector in Ethiopia is promisingly growing. More and more interest from foreign private sector, both from Europe and the Middle East, is shown in the Ethiopian fruits and vegetable sector, and export of fruit and vegetables has been limited earlier, but is now sturdily growing following the coming of new investors.
The horticulture sector in Ethiopia has been well focused though it has not so far been as productive as expected. Its contribution to Ethiopia’s export earnings is still relatively minimal but increasing rapidly if properly managed. The fast growth of the floriculture sector has considerably increased its contribution to country’s export, he said.
According to Melese, the cluster of vegetables exported to neighboring and other foreign countries are extremely large. These products are exported to both Djibouti and Somali, for instance.
Djibouti has for a long time been the main export destination to Ethiopian vegetables, and export to Sudan is still increasing. Europe has become the second most important export destination, too.
“The main fruit and vegetables markets in Addis Ababa like Merkato have a variety of clients—wholesalers, retailers and consumers. At present, many private commercial farms and private farmers are producing fruits and vegetables both for domestic and export markets in the country. Not only has producing vegetables and fruits helped generate rural employment but it is of significantly useful in securing sources of foreign exchange earnings,” he said.
As learnt from Melese, in Ethiopia, most of the soil types in fruits and vegetables producing regions of the country ranging from light clay to loam are well suited for horticultural production.
The major vegetables produced for domestic consumption are cabbages, tomatoes and garlic, while green beans and peas have recently emerged for export purposes.
He said, “As I conducted my research paper on the issue, Ethiopia exports fresh fruits and vegetables to the international markets. The major markets for Ethiopian fresh fruits and vegetables are the European Union, the Arab countries and the regional markets. Ethiopia is very well known in some parts of Europe especially for among others, cut flowers, melon and passion fruits, and there is strong business image for Ethiopian vegetables and flowers in the European markets.”
Fruits and vegetables play a number of important roles in human health, they are the most important sources of vitamin A, and provide foliate and potassium that are known to prevent birth defects, cancer, heart disease, hypertension and stroke, as to him.
He also said, although it is not explored why vegetables and fruits are not widely consumed in Ethiopia, a few likely reasons can be forwarded based on the dietary habits in the country.
According to Melese, it is well recognized that development of the fruit and vegetable sector in Ethiopia for export to Europe and the Middle East has good perspectives and provides interesting opportunities for foreign investors. The sector is, however, still in its infant stage. Facilitating conditions for doing business are not yet optimal, but are expected to improve in the near future if the government is going to provide the sector with close focus in a bid to help the nation garner the benefit is deserves out of vegetables and fruits.
He said, “As to me, growers who are actively operating in vegetables and fruits production have to be granted with opportunities to run activities in well researched areas, incentives, well organized infrastructures and other related facilities. This move helps them increase export thereby helping Ethiopia gain optimal benefit out of the sub-sector.
“Besides, for companies operating in Ethiopia, it is important to build good relations with the potential growers, provide experts with proper guidance and training so as to pave appropriate ways for investment thereby coming up with workable logistical supply chain,” he underscored.
As to Melese, Ethiopia harbors an astonishingly rich agro biodiversity resulting from its geography, climatic differences, ethnic diversity and strong food culture. The presence of a multitude of atmospheric conditions in the country has also made it possible to grow all types of fruits, vegetables and flowers.
He also elaborating that obviously Ethiopia is endowed with a number of affluent resources including a number of acre of lands. “Yes, investors have been leasing land at very favorable conditions, labor is cheap and loans can be obtained at advantageous terms with a view to promoting the economy of the country. Other important advantages of Ethiopia are the personal safety and the fact that government offices work according to procedures. This move results in a relatively low level of corruption compared to other African countries.”
Export of fruit and vegetables has been limited but is now alarmingly growing with the coming of new investors, and the government has to well focus on horticulture in general and fruits and vegetables sub-sector in particular. Both in Europe and the Middle East, there is a growing interest for products from Ethiopia. The main export products are among others, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and fresh herbs at present. A wide range of vegetable products have also been successfully produced on larger farms like cherry tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli and others.
In sum, a number of government and non-government companies working on the area have to be well empowered to help the country have optimal benefit out the horticulture sectors with special reference to fruits and vegetable. The government and other concerned bodies are also expected to give vegetables much greater priority than ever before to fully tap the economic and nutritional power of vegetables. Now is the time to prioritize investments in vegetables, providing increased economic opportunities for smallholders and potential investors. Though production of fruits and vegetables is at its infant stage at present, there is a promising trend to make the sub-sector much more lucrative.
BY MENGESHA AMARE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD NOVEMBEBER 16/2021
