Ethiopia has the potential for 2.7 million hectares of irrigable land, 40 billion cubic meters of groundwater, and 122 billion cubic meters of surface water, according to the 2016 International Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report. However, only 5 percent of this land has been utilized, leading to food security challenges for the country.
Hence, over 80 percent of Ethiopia’s farmer population cannot feed itself, let alone the 20 percent of urbanites, and the country’s agriculture, which depends on rainwater, is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In particular, frequent rain shortages, changes in the rainy season, increased demand for floods, and other effects have put agricultural activities in a crisis.
Even having all its resources, a significant number of labor force, and many state and private institutions to help with financing, Ethiopia still relies heavily on conventional rain-based agriculture. Low and seasonal harvests are being caused by excessive inflation in the markets. Consumer goods have the most inflationary impact, with the Central Statistics Service reporting that the current rate of inflation may increase and become a challenge to residents. Under these conditions, the government gives due attention to utilizing the enormous potential of cities through urban agriculture.
Ethiopia has a long history of urban agriculture, going back to the prehistoric era when humans grew crops in cities to augment their nutrition. However, in response to the country’s fast urbanization and rising food insecurity, Ethiopia’s modern urban agricultural movement started to pick up steam in the 1990s. The country’s food supply has been under strain due to increased urbanization and population expansion, which has been one of the main drivers of urban agriculture in Ethiopia. Because of this, a lot of people living in cities now rely on agriculture to provide food for their families and themselves.
The relevance of urban agriculture in tackling food security and poverty reduction has also been acknowledged by the present government. To assist urban agriculture, some laws and initiatives have been put in place, including ones that give urban farmers access to resources, training, and land. At the moment, Ethiopian urban agriculture includes a broad variety of practices, such as backyard farming, communal gardens, and rooftop gardening. Through the promotion of green areas and the reduction of food miles, these programs not only give urban dwellers access to fresh and healthy food, but they also help to maintain environmental sustainability.
In addition, the government made every effort to improve citizens’ understanding of urban agriculture through practical training and events that allowed people to share their experiences, all to enable them to cultivate vegetables that are high in nutrients. Along with providing materials and inputs like hand tools, poultry cages with egg-laying hens and initial feed, and technical assistance from the community, the government has been working with stakeholders and partners to enable them to not only grow and harvest produce for their own consumption but also to sell excess produce to make money.
Despite many problems, urban agriculture offers Ethiopia significant benefits. It ensures food security and nutrition. It can also help to increase food availability, improve dietary diversity, and improve nutritional outcomes for urban residents, especially in places with limited access to fresh and inexpensive produce.
Haramaya University Research and Community Affairs Vice President Office Research Development Coordinator Feyisa Hundessa said that integrating agriculture into urban planning and design may help create more resilient and inclusive cities, increase green areas, lessen the effects of climate change, and support local food systems. If done properly and with stricter control, this can assure sustainable urban growth.
According to him, the government has been working to give young people access to employment opportunities. Urban agriculture has enormous potential to provide many urban residents with sources of income. It provides young people with chances to generate revenue, which helps to reduce poverty and creates jobs for urban populations. More significantly, it encourages technological adoption and innovation. Ethiopian urban agricultural activities may become more productive, efficient, and sustainable by implementing cutting-edge techniques like hydroponics, agro ecology, and vertical farming.
Injibara University Vice President for Research and Community Service Kindie Birhan (Ph.D.) said that urban agriculture should be supported by problem-solving research. It is also crucial to raise knowledge of urban agriculture since it encourages community engagement, social cohesion, and cultural preservation among urban people.
As stated by Feyisa, since urban agriculture significantly contributes to ensuring food security, experts in the field conduct research that allows city dwellers to grow different vegetables on their piece of land and earn additional income. Especially, the government and higher education institutions should provide modern urban agriculture practical training to the residents.
Because many city dwellers have the potential but lack the knowledge of how to implement urban agriculture, it is critical to provide current technology and techniques to modernize urban agriculture and help fill the gap in vegetable supply, as many people have open spaces in their homes that can be used to grow various vegetables and fruits, he stated.
Haramaya University Urban Agriculture Project Coordinator Dr. Teklamariam Keneni said that although urban agriculture became popular throughout the globe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, various research demonstrates that urban agriculture has been adopted in Ethiopia since Emperor Haile Selassie’s reign, and the present government likewise prioritizes urban agriculture.
Recognizing the advantages of urban agriculture, the government is attempting to boost output and productivity by integrating modern urban agriculture with traditional farming practices. He said, “Considering these facts, higher education institutions should offer a variety of professional support and training to assist the city residents in not only implementing but also expanding the existing urban agriculture.”
He also mentioned that there are many misconceptions about urban agriculture, which is frequently done by vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and low-income households who may lack access to financial capital, market possibilities, or social support systems. This mindset should be modified through regular training.
In general, Ethiopia’s initiatives to promote urban agriculture aim to improve food security, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, climatic resilience, community development, and health promotion in cities. By continuing to promote urban agricultural programs, the government can use the sector’s potential to contribute to long-term urban development and increase the well-being of its urban people.
Therefore, to fully realize the potential of urban agriculture in Ethiopia, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and civil society organizations must work together to address existing challenges while capitalizing on opportunities for long-term urban food production and livelihood development. With the proper support and investment, it can contribute much more to the country’s long-term prosperity.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2024
