Ethiopia is endowed with vast and rich agricultural resources. In spite of its untapped wealth it is being tried by the direct and indirect impacts of global trends on vegetable production and the availability of vegetable seeds. As the world gets more interconnected through global trade, technological advancement and changing consumer preferences, these trends have significant implications for the agricultural sector in Ethiopia.
One of the primary global trends affecting vegetable production in Ethiopia is the increasing demand for diverse and nutritious food. As populations grow and dietary preferences progress, there is a rising need for a wide variety of vegetables to meet nutritional requirements.
This trend is driven by factors such as urbanization, changing lifestyles, and a growing awareness of the importance of a balanced diet. Consequently, Ethiopia, as a major agricultural producer, is witnessing a surge in the demand for different vegetable crops.
Furthermore, global climate change is another crucial factor shaping vegetable production in Ethiopia. As weather patterns become more unpredictable and extreme, the agricultural sector faces challenges such as drought, flood and temperature fluctuations. These environmental shifts directly impact the growth, yield, and quality of vegetable crops, making it essential for farmers and policymakers to adapt their practices and develop resilient agricultural systems.
In addition to climate change, advancements in technology and agricultural practices at the global level have a profound influence on vegetable production in Ethiopia. New innovations in irrigation systems, precision farming techniques and post-harvest management can significantly enhance productivity, reduce resource use, and improve overall crop quality. However, access to these technologies and the necessary knowledge and skills to implement them effectively remain a challenge in many parts of Ethiopia.
The availability and quality of vegetable seeds also play a critical role in shaping agricultural production. Global trends in seed production, including the development of hybrid and genetically modified seeds, impact the seed market in Ethiopia. While such seeds offer potential benefits in terms of increased yield and disease resistance, they also raise concerns about the loss of traditional seed varieties and the dependence of farmers on multinational seed companies. Balancing the adoption of improved seed varieties with the preservation of local biodiversity is a significant challenge faced by Ethiopian farmers and policymakers.
Recently, a seminar organized by the BASF, Nunhems, and Eastchem Vegetable Seed companies, focused on the impact of global trends on vegetable production and provided a platform for experts to discuss the potential of the sector and the government’s commitment to agricultural development.
Wondale Habtamu, Deputy Director of the Ethiopian Agriculture Authority (EAA), stated the Ethiopian government’s new agricultural policy and strategy which aims at enhancing vegetable production in the country.
Addressing the need for improved agricultural practices, he mentioned the establishment of an independent agricultural regulatory body affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture. This regulatory body plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of agricultural inputs, processed products, and services.
He stated that the government has been working on digitalizing agricultural systems, simplifying processes like chemical registration. Aligning with international and regional standards, the regulatory body aims to enhance agricultural practices and meet global requirements.
Ben Depraetere, the Managing Director of Nunhams Ethiopia PLC, focused on the current state and future potential of vegetable production in Ethiopia. The gathering brought together professional growers, farmers, vegetable producers, and exporters to discuss global trends and their impact on the vegetable production sector in the country.
He highlighted that while the vegetable production sector in Ethiopia is still in its early stages, it holds significant growth potential. The discussion revolved around new opportunities for professional growers and commercial farms, both for domestic consumption and export. Key focuses explored included vegetable processing, fresh produce for supermarkets, and the potential for exporting processed products and fresh produce.
One major global trend discussed was climate change, which presents both challenges and opportunities for vegetable production. Traditional vegetable production areas in other parts of the world are facing water shortages and extreme weather events, making it difficult for them to meet demand, he said.
According to him, this creates an opportunity for Ethiopia to fill the gap and export vegetables directly to Europe and the Middle East. The upcoming Mojo Cool port project, aimed at enhancing refrigerated exports from Ethiopia, was seen as a significant opportunity in this regard.
Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of the Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), also mentioned that, based on research data, the global trade of fruits and vegetables amounts to an overwhelming half a trillion dollars per year, representing approximately three percent of the total world trade volume. Tewodros pointed out that Ethiopia has great potential to produce and export. However, it is currently not fully capitalizing on its potential for fruit and vegetable production.
He highlighted the lack of sufficient support for agro processing, making it challenging to meet the demand. Nunhams and other investors also expressed their interest in bringing this industry to our country.
Wondale noted the importation of improved vegetable seeds from Europe and highlighted the investment opportunities in greenhouse farming and vegetable exports. The government’s Green Legacy initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), aims to promote the use of improved varieties and healthy practices in vegetable production.
As part of this initiative, Yelimat Trufat has been introduced to preserve the quality of vegetables for both domestic consumption and export markets. He mentioned that this aims to connect vegetable producers with supermarkets and maintain the quality of the products.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to the agricultural sector and its efforts to enhance the quality of agricultural products and services. Also, the government is investing in expertise, facilities, and digitalization to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural sector. The regulatory body aims to align with international and regional guidelines, ensuring the development of improved varieties, seed certification, and sanitary and quarantine measures for import and export.
Regarding vegetable production, he recognized the potential for Ethiopia to become a major exporter of vegetables, the use of improved disease-resistant varieties, and the importance of greenhouse farming. The government’s Green Legacy initiative aligns with the promotion of improved varieties and healthy practices in vegetable production, he mentioned.
Mechanization was another issue of agricultural machinery, and improved production practices, such as mechanized field preparation and direct sowing, were seen as a means to boost production, improve affordability, and create more export opportunities for Ethiopian vegetables.
To address the issue of value addition, the government has taken significant steps by allocating 25 billion birr and establishing integrated agro-industry parks in four strategic locations, including Bure, Yergalem, Bulbula, and others. Also, regarding preservation techniques, he noted a critical gap in Ethiopia’s infrastructure due to the absence of cold storage warehouses, Tewodros said.
This shortage leads to substantial losses in vegetable production owing to their perishable nature; he underlined adding that the benefits of collaboration among research institutes, experts, manufacturers, and the government to find a solution to this problem.
However, Bayable Atnafu (PhD), Deputy Director of Addis Ababa University’s Bio-Technology Institute, to Ethiopian Press Agency that the government’s lack of attention for research support towards the production and post-production processes, are rather hindering the society from fully benefiting from the sector’s potential. Consequently, this lack of support not only results in losses but also renders Ethiopian products less competitive in the international market.
The other Scholars, Zenebe Mekonen (PhD), a teacher and researcher at the Department of Plant Science at Arba Minch University, stated that fruits and vegetables, due to their nutrient content, can readily contribute to food security. However, despite various research efforts in the field, professionals in the sector receive low wages, resulting in a lack of motivation and reduced effectiveness. Although challenges exist regarding crop protection, improved varieties, and modern machinery, current activities demonstrate encouraging progress.
Depraetere emphasized that, while primarily focused on professional growers, the potential of working with smallholder farmers was also addressed. He recognized that smallholder farmers make up the majority of the Ethiopian agriculture sector and discussed the possibility of organizing them into cooperatives or professional organizations. This would enable better coordination, market linkages, and the potential for export. However, it was emphasized that training and support would be crucial to ensuring smallholder farmers meet the required quality standards and export requirements.
It was also indicated that with a focus on policy formulation, strategy development, and technological advancements, the government aims to enhance productivity and fostering a collaborative environment for the advancement of vegetable production in Ethiopia.
BY FIKADU BELAY
The Ethiopian Herald may 1/2024
