Under the Ethiopian economic context, realizing sustainable growth and transformation can be possible only when emphasis is placed on the agriculture sector. That is because it is the mainstay of the country’s economy. Yet, for long the sector has been practiced for long in a subsistence manner.
Currently, crops are largely being produced in various agro-ecological zones by smallholder farmers. Using various techniques helps bumping up productivity per hectare. Most farmers produce crops like wheat, Teff, maize, and sorghum in many parts of the country. They are being consumed by a large segment of the society.
Recent experience shows that utilizing better technology, skill and essential inputs results in better output as compared to the traditional way of farming.
In addition to addressing food insecurity, surplus production helps feed raw materials to industries. In doing so, it can propel the expansion of the manufacturing sector, which could create more job opportunities for millions.
Seen through the prism of abundant natural resources such as better climate and soil, the amount of crop yields in the country prove insignificant as such they stop short of satisfying the domestic demand.
Currently, the gap between supply and demand in the domestic market is being bridged by importation of crops.
This approach is expensive and unsustainable. Hence, maximizing productivity can be taken as a way out.
Dr. Asnake Fikre is Director of the Department of Crop Research at Debrezeit Agricultural Research Institute. According to him, the nation has a huge potential not only to be self sufficient in food but also to penetrate into the global market. To realize such objective measures have to been taken.
Currently, the size of the land being devoted for crop production is increasing. In addition to that, by using various techniques and inputs the productivity in small-scale farming is rising.
The annual wheat production nationwide has reached 40 million quintal.
Most small scale farmers are leading a hand-to-mouth life. Hence, using agricultural inputs for them proves expensive.
Dr. Asnake recommends that the nation’s farming practice should be incentivized to support farmers via supplying sufficient inputs.
In addition to providing inputs on time, establishing a vibrant market for agricultural yields is essential. Based on the previous practice, outreaching farmers in a consolidated manner is commendable. The ongoing extension work by agricultural practitioners should also be strengthened.
The success story being registered by some farmers stimulates many to devote their time and labor on the enhancement of productivity.
By now, the average wheat production by small scale farmers in all agro-ecological zones has risen to 23 quintal per hectare. Observably had it not been on fragmented farmers’ plot, the rate might have made an upward swing.
It is witnessed that the output of diligent farmers who utilize more inputs and that relatively have larger plot has shot up to 60 quintal per hectare. These indicate that, without increasing the size of the plot productivity cannot be realized only by utilizing essential inputs.
According to Dr. Asnake, in Ethiopia vast areas of farmland prove suitable for wheat production. Therefore, linking agriculture with the market and industries is vital.
There are various challenges in the sector that must be mitigated not only by farmers but also by all stakeholders. The sector is vulnerable to climate change and global warming. As such, precautionary measures are needed. The ongoing implementation of adaptation mechanism enables farmers to reduce the risk.
However, to Dr. Asnake, in Ethiopia crop disease is worrisome than climate change for wheat producers.
Currently, the disease known as rust greatly affects the yellow color specious of wheat. Of course, the disease somehow has a correlation to climate change. To surmount the hurdle various measures have been taken by the government and non-governmental organizations. Improving the seed type by research, supplying the best seeds to farmers, changing the system of cultivation by way of crop shifting, mixing farming and to some extent applying small scale irrigation are recommended as ways forward.
However, Dr. Asnake underlined that, side by side with these measures, opening access to market and industry for the farming products are vital because farmers can be motivated for more production when they maximize their incomes. The introduction of durum type wheat, which has high demand by bakeries, inspires farmers to increase production.
When market becomes mature and stable, farmers know how they produce, where they sell, how much they earn and how their living condition has taken a turn for the better.
This awakening to facts on the ground is the most driving factor to achieve productivity in a sustainable manner. This testifies that in the farming industry farmers should play a central role. Thus, government and other stake holders must lend them heeding ears.
The burgeoning manufacturing sector indicates the prospect of agriculture and the chance to create job opportunities. According to Dr. Asnake, currently, 1.6 million hectare of land is used for wheat production. With only 20 percent of the total area of production the local industry demand can be satisfied. The bread industry also motivates the establishment of flour factories.
There are about 400 pasta and macaroni factories all over the country. So, linking the agricultural practice with industry has a great potential for poverty reduction.
With a well-functioning market, farmers can earn better incomes and turn price setters in supplying their products to markets. In this regard the role of farmers’ cooperatives is immense. They do not only engage in selling to farmers products but also distribute agricultural input to farmers. However, the level of their achievement is far less than what is expected.
On the other hand, there are numerous intermediaries and brokers which had been an obstacle for the normal trade activities. They used to amass fortune at the expense of farmers’ labor. These unfair and illegal game cries out for a remedial measure. Currently, in some parts of the country a functioning-trade based on agreement between the farmers and industry owners is practiced. But the practices are premature.
There are also farmers unions who strike a direct trade agreement with food industries. Consolidating such practices is vital so that the farmers become liberated from the exploitation of the intermediaries. In these regard, the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange should play a crucial role to comb out intermediaries from the scene so that farmers could be spared of lechers evil practices.
The Ethioian Herald June 16/2019
BY ABEBE WOLDE GIORGIS
