Abstract
Smallholder farmer crop production is a mainstay of the Ethiopian economy. A series of agricultural extension programs have been implemented since the 1950s in an effort to improve smallholder productivity. In this study, we argue that the limited attention that is given to cropland allocation by smallholders is one key driver of low performance of crop production as well as a key factor in environmental degradation. Drawing on data from a household survey of 75 randomly selected households in Abaro Kebele, Ethiopia, combined with focus-group discussions, key informant interviews, and secondary data sources, we use linear programming to highlight the impact of cropland allocation decisions on the performance of rural smallholder crop production systems. We find that under current land use practices households are not able to meet their consumption needs. The average profitability of farms under the current cropland allocation is also significantly below the estimated level of profit that could be realized by reallocating cropland while using linear programming. Additionally, survey results suggest that low crop production performance (in terms of meeting both household food crop production needs and profit goals) is the primary reason why households do not participate in conservation efforts and sustainable resource management practices. This study suggests that linear programming-based cropland allocation modeling might be applied to enhance the profit performance of smallholder crop production, help meet household food crop production requirements, and thereby promote the sustainable utilization of environmental resources.
Highlights
In Ethiopia, smallholder agriculture has long history as a major economic activity
This study suggests that linear programming-based cropland allocation modeling might be applied to enhance the profit performance of smallholder crop production, help meet household food crop production requirements, and thereby promote the sustainable utilization of environmental resources
This study explores the potential of linear programming-based land use modeling as a farm decision tool to increase the efficiency of smallholder crop production, thereby improving resource use efficiency and potentially enhancing profitability
Summary
In Ethiopia, smallholder agriculture has long history as a major economic activity. According to the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia [1] and the World Bank Group [2], 85% of the Ethiopian workforce is engaged in agriculture. In many ways commercialization and development of agriculture in Ethiopia has not yet realized its full potential, and the country remains one of the least developed economies in the world [4]. Recognizing the low productivity of agriculture and the potential contribution of smallholder agriculture to national economic growth and food security, since the 1950s the government of Ethiopia has made substantial efforts to increase smallholder production through agricultural extension service programs that are mainly focused on input supply via credit systems and training for improved crop. Resources 2018, 7, 76 management [5,6] These efforts are currently pronounced in national macroeconomic plans, such as the Ethiopian Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) [3] and the Climate Resilient Green Economy
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