Debate on the linkages between large-scale agriculture and farmers food security: Examples from Ethiopia

Abstract

This article critically contributes to the debate on private large-scale agriculture for export crop production as a means to address the problem of food security in Ethiopia. The reviewed literature was identified by combining relevant keywords. The consumer price index and rainfall pattern, food gaps and affected population were calculated and presented using Microsoft Excel software. The paper argues that although private large-scale agriculture has opportunities in terms of employment generation, income and national-level growth, it poses risks to small-scale farmers’ food security. Loss of access to agricultural land and exposure to market risks endanger their food and livelihood security. The analysis suggests that both large-scale and small-scale agriculture is not a viable means to effectively reduce Ethiopia’s complex food insecurity and hunger. Improving food production for local consumption through transforming small-scale farms to medium-sized labour-intensive farms coupled with investment in manufacturing and building social protection through the adoption of well-intentioned state-directed development interventions that care about the well-being of individuals and households is needed.