Farmers In Ethiopia Research Articles

Field pea leaf disease classification using a deep learning approach.

Field peas are grown by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia for food, fodder, income, and soil fertility. However, leaf diseases such as ascochyta blight, powdery mildew, and leaf spots affect the quantity and quality of this crop as well as crop growth. Experts use visual observation to detect field pea disease. However, this approach is expensive, labor-intensive, and imprecise. Therefore, in this study, we presented a transfer learning approach for the automatic diagnosis of field pea leaf diseases. We classified three field pea leaf diseases: Ascochyta blight, leaf spot, and powdery mildew. A softmax classifier was used to classify the diseases. A total of 1600 images of both healthy and diseased leaves were used to train, validate, and test the pretrained models. According to the experimental results, DenseNet121 achieved 99.73% training accuracy, 99.16% validation accuracy, and 98.33% testing accuracy after 100 epochs. we expect that this research work will offer various benefits for farmers and farm experts. It reduced the cost and time needed for the detection and classification of field pea leaf disease. Thus, a fast, automated, less costly, and accurate detection method is necessary to overcome the detection problem.

Evaluation of interventions to improve markets for rural dairy households of Ethiopia: Evidence through system dynamics approach

There is a growing consensus that improving market access for smallholder farmers will help them earn more income and enhance food security. In this respect, we employed system dynamics approach to evaluate interventions to expand market access for the traditional system dairy producers in West Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Investment by dairy cooperatives in milk collection capacity and/or raising the price of milk for producers are the interventions identified in the study. These interventions were assessed ex-ante for impacts on (1) milk collection and dairy enterprise balance for dairy cooperatives and (2) milk production and profitability of dairying for producers. Analysis results show that compared to the baseline, the interventions can increase milk production by 17 to 57 %, milk collection by 24- to 43-fold, dairy household's profit by 11- to 21-fold, and cooperatives' dairy enterprise balance by 27- to 55-fold. In the long-term, both dairy cooperatives and producers are better off under market access improvement than under market access with higher milk price for producers. The findings suggest that continued improvement in market access for the traditional dairy farmers in Ethiopia is necessary to sustain higher gains in milk production, milk marketed, and income from dairying.

Characterization of goat fiber physical properties from indigenous Ethiopian goat breeds

This study aimed to characterize the physical properties of goat fibers from some indigenous Ethiopian goat breeds. Ethiopia has different indigenous goat breeds, which are the livelihood of Ethiopian farmers and are mainly used as a source of meat, milk, fiber, hides, etc. The fiber samples were collected from Abergelle, Central Highland, and Western Lowland indigenous Ethiopian goat breeds. After shearing, scouring was applied for the removal of some impurities using ionic and non-ionic detergents and chemicals. In this study, fiber length, fineness, tensile strength and elongation, and fiber diameter were evaluated using scientific test-standard methods. The study results showed that the average tensile strengths of goat fibers obtained from Abergelle, Central Highland, and Western Lowland were 13.38, 13.31, and 13.26 cN/Tex, respectively. Similarly, the elongation percentage values were found between 22% and 24% and 32% and 34% in dry and wet conditions, respectively. The moisture regain and moisture content values ranged from 14.04% to 14.10% and 12.61% to 12.68%, respectively. The fiber length values were between 38 and 43 mm, with a diameter ranging from 18 to 21 μm. Even though there was a slight difference in some values of physical properties, the fibers obtained from each goat breed have satisfactory mechanical properties: good strength, fineness, elongation, moisture regain, and low density. Generally, this study proved that the goat fiber obtained from some indigenous Ethiopian goat breeds is a potential source of raw material for textile manufacturers and researchers.

Effects of Bio-rational Insecticides on Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella L.) and Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) on Cabbage

Background: Cabbage is a subsistence crop for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Diamondback moths and cabbage aphids are among the devastating insects that cause yield losses of 90% and 30%. Objective: The aim was to test the efficacy of the bio-rational insecticides against diamondback moth and cabbage aphids, and their effect on cabbage yield and yield loss. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at the Gumsalasa micro dam with furrow irrigation during 2019/20 in Northern Ethiopia. Treatments were arranged in RCB design and replicated thrice. The experiment included five bio-rational insecticides; (R. obtusifolius), (P. dodecandra), (N. glauca), (T. minuta), (A. indica), Karate 5% EC (standard test), and control. Results: Phytolacca dodecandra aqueous leaf extract showed inspiring results, reducing diamondback moth larvae to 0.13 and aphid colonies to 0.16, 48 hours after the 4th spraying, leading to a higher (40.28 t ha-1) fresh cabbage yield followed by A.indica, which had reduced the invasion of diamondback moth and aphid colonies to 0.20 and 0.40 and the yield was recorded as 27.69 t ha-1 compared with 2.46 and 5.53 diamondback moth and aphid colonies, and 23.86 t ha-1 cabbage yield in the control group. Similarly, aqueous extracts of P. dodecandra showed a commendable yield (68.82%) increment over the control, and an estimated yield loss of 40.76% was recorded from the control plots due to the tested insect pests. Conclusion: This study concludes that foliar extracts of P. dodecandra can be used as an alternative management option to replace synthetic insecticides and thereby maintain food security.

Gender, rainfall endowment, and farmers’ heterogeneity in wheat trait preferences in Ethiopia

Wheat is a vital cereal crop for smallholders in Ethiopia. Despite over fifty years of research on wheat varietal development, consideration of gendered trait preferences in developing target product profiles for wheat breeding is limited. To address this gap, our study used sex-disaggregated survey data and historical rainfall trends from the major wheat-growing regions in Ethiopia. The findings indicated heterogeneity in trait preferences based on gender and rainfall endowment. Men respondents tended to prefer wheat traits with high straw yield and disease-resistance potential, while women showed a greater appreciation for wheat traits related to good taste and cooking quality. Farmers in high rainfall areas seemed to prioritize high straw yield and disease resistance traits, while those in low rainfall areas valued good adaptation traits more highly. Most of the correlation coefficients among the preferred traits were positive, indicating that farmers seek wheat varieties with traits that serve multiple purposes. Understanding men’s and women’s preferences and incorporating them in breeding and seed systems could contribute to the development of more targeted and effective wheat varieties that meet the diverse needs of men and women farmers in Ethiopia.

The Determinants of Beef Cattle Market Participation on Beef Cattle Producers’ Welfare: A Case Study of West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Due to their ability to produce meat, milk, leather, glue, gelatin, and other products that people may utilize, beef cattle are domesticated. Beef cattle production and marketing play a vital role in the growth and development of the globe and the African economy. Ethiopia has great potential for livestock population in Africa and in the world but earns less from beef cattle production and marketing. Ethiopian farmers are reluctant to beef cattle market participation. Their reluctant to participate in beef cattle marketing causes lack of beef cattle products in the market and causes high prices for beef cattle and its products. The research objective was to analyze the impact of beef cattle market participation on the welfare of beef cattle smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The primary data come from 400 randomly selected beef cattle farmers involved in beef cattle production and marketing and actors. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics propensity score matching (PSM) model have used to analyze the collected data. The data analysis result indicated that smallholder beef cattle farmers participating in beef cattle marketing and farmers’ annual per capita consumption expenditure (economic welfare) increased by 84% more than the nonbeef cattle market participants. We assume this is a first result and investigation in the study area. The research study is important for farmers, policymakers, researchers, and the academia in general. Providing education and training, promoting the participation of more women in beef cattle marketing, and promoting and encouraging more full-time beef cattle farmers are suggested recommendations.

Spatiotemporal variation in soil salinity under irrigated fields at Bochessa catchment in Central Ethiopia

AbstractSoil salinity and sodicity problems are one of the major challenges to the permanence of irrigated agriculture in Ethiopia. This manuscript, therefore, concerns its spatial and temporal variation under irrigated fields and suggests possible management options. For this investigation, eight monitoring locations were selected based on the irrigation intensity that farmers practised in the area. With each location, three irrigated farmers' fields were randomly selected for sampling purposes. Likewise, six farmers' fields from the rain‐fed system were also selected for comparison purposes. Sampling was performed at the beginning and end of each cropping season for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019. The major physical and chemical properties of the soil were analysed in accordance with standard laboratory procedures. A linear model of two‐way analysis of variance was used to analyse parameters across time and space. The results indicated that the majority of the soil properties studied showed significant differences (p < 0.05) over time. This implies that the change is in accordance with the seasonal soil property, possibly due to irrigation practices. Similarly, approximately 90% of the soil properties studied showed noticeable differences (p < 0.05) across locations. Almost all salinity indicators showed an increasing trend in irrigated fields compared to their situation in rain‐fed fields. For instance, the electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) values across the fields ranged from 0.54 to 0.82 dS m−¹ and 8–1%, respectively, with maximum values observed in irrigated fields. This implies that irrigation practices influence soil properties in the area. In addition, the ESP values approaching the maximum permissible limit suggest that sodicity may cause more problems than salinity in the area. Therefore, agronomic practices (e.g. residue management, deep tillage, salt‐tolerant crops and periodic fallowing), irrigation and drainage management practices, and amendments may help farmers mitigate salinity and sodicity problems in the area.

Gendered livelihood impacts and responses to an invasive, transboundary weed in a rural Ethiopian community

Gender as unequal power relations intersects with global environmental change threatening agriculture-based livelihoods, including land degradation, increasing climate variability, and invasive alien plants. Commonly overlooked, invasive alien plants may have gendered impacts on everyday life that disproportionately affect the less powerful. Drawing on experiences of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia’s Oromia region with an invasive, transboundary weed, Parthenium hysterophorus L., this paper illustrates how environmental change interacts with pre-existing vulnerabilities to shape individual and household-level impacts and responses. We applied a feminist perspective in livelihoods and environmental change research and praxis to explore the intersection of gendered livelihoods and parthenium management in spaces of everyday life. While invasive plants, including parthenium, may be easily perceptible in the field, understanding impacts on livelihoods requires consideration of women’s and men’s roles and responsibilities within the broader household compound as well as intra-household decision-making. Parthenium can be harmful to environmental, animal, and human health, but unduly impacts women’s labor, spaces, and assets, including cows whose milk may be tainted by grazing in parthenium-infested fields. We demonstrate the importance of considering women’s social networks and so-called reproductive space and labor to understand gendered and place-based inequities of climate change. This study reveals intimate connections between environmental stressors and gendered livelihoods. Our findings demonstrate how inequalities can be reinforced by new forms of vulnerability, with response options socially differentiated. We argue that a feminist livelihood lens helps bridge the global scale of environmental change with local scales of gendered livelihood adaptation embedded within broader socio-environmental change.

Smallholder commercialisation and rural household welfare: panel data evidence from Ethiopia

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between smallholder commercialisation and rural household welfare. Employing a comprehensive three-wave panel dataset of smallholder maize farmers in Ethiopia, we find a positive association between commercialisation and household income which translates to wealth endowments through asset ownership and accumulation. We also show that commercialisation is associated with poverty reduction by reducing the prevalence of income poverty and the poverty gap. Deep diving into who benefits most from commercialisation, we find that agricultural commercialisation is inclusive and benefits all households. However, the greatest welfare gains accrue to income-poor households, suggesting some potential for reducing rural inequality. These insights support existing evidence that smallholder commercialisation is pro-poor and could be a significant entry point for stirring income growth and development in rural areas. Consequently, supporting poor and marginalised farmers with resources needed to boost agricultural production and commercialisation are relevant steps in the right direction of ensuring integrated rural development.

Determination of appropriate planting time for better seed yield of onion (Allium cepa) varieties at selected districts of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Onion is among the important vegetable crops commercially grown both by large and small scale farmers in Ethiopia as well as Arba Minch area. Its seed production (high seed yield and quality) depends on a number of factors such as planting date, bulb size, varieties, soil fertility, growing environments, plant population and adequate plant protection measures. Among these factors, planting time, varieties and growing environment are believed to have a remarkable influence on seed production of onion. The main objective of this study is to determine appropriate planting time for onion seed production and to select high seed yielder onion variety. Mother bulb was produced during June to August and the bulbs are stored in diffused light storage (DLS) about 3o days. Field experiment was conducted in Gamo Zone, Mirab Abaya woreda for two successive years (2021 - 2022) using spacing of 40cm x 20cm in Plot size of 3m x 2m.The experiment consisted of two varieties (Bombay red & Nafis) and four planting times (Mid September, Early October, Late October & Early November) in completely randomized block design in factorial arrangement replicated three times. ANOVA revealed that highly significant differences among treatments (P<0.01) were observed for most characters studied. Mean performance of combined result indicated that variety Bombay red planted in mid October gave highest seed yield (1178.3 kg/ha) whereas the lowest seed yield was recorded from the same variety planted at early October (415.0 kg/ha). Therefore, variety mid October is recommended as a suitable planting time of seed production for variety Bombay red and to be popularized in the study area for better onion seed yield production.

Sero-prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in dryland of Borana, southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the largest African countries where livestock farming represent a relevant resource for the economy and the livelihood of the population. Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is among the transboundaries animal disease that is hindering cattle farming in Ethiopia. Due to the limited resources of veterinary services, disease control and surveillance is discontinuous and occasional field investigations of target areas contribute to depict disease spreading in the country. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence, at herd and animal level, and identify the risk factors involved in CBPP diffusion and persistence in the Borana pastoral zone. A total of 498 serum samples were collected from 120 cattle herds and tested using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). Of 120 herds sampled, 37 (30.83%; (95% CI = 22.73–39.91%) were tested positive to CBPP antibody. Out of 498 sera samples tested 46 (9.24%; 95% CI = 6.84–12.13%) were positive. The highest prevalence was observed in Teltele (12/95; 12.90%; 95% CI = 6.7–21%) followed by Yabello (12/104; 11.54%; 95% CI = 6.1–19.3%) and Arero (10/91; 10.99%; 95% CI = 95% CI = 5.4–19.3%), whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in Gomole (5/101; 6.42%; 95% CI = 1.6–11.2%) and Dubluk (7/109; 4.95%; 95% CI = 2.6–12.8%) districts and statistically not significant (p > 0.05). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that, age, herd movement and herd size of the animals had statistically significant effect on sero-positivity to CBPP (p < 0.05). Sex, season and body condition were not significantly (p > 0.05) associated with the occurrence of CBPP. The study confirms that CBPP is persistent in the territory and remain as a major problem that affects health and productivity of cattle. Therefore, awareness creation to the pastoralists in the study area about the effect of CBPP and designing appropriate control methods has a paramount importance to improve the health and productivity of cattle production in the area.

Estimation of Technical Efficiency of Sorghum Production in Dejen District, North-west Ethiopia

Ethiopian agriculture is characterized by low productivity due to natural, social, economic, and institutional factors. Farmers with homogeneous resources produce different outputs per hectare due to inefficient utilization of limited resources. There is no due attention given to crop production efficiency issues, particularly in sorghum production. The objective of this study was to assess the level of technical efficiency and its determinant factors on sorghum production in Dejen District, North-west Ethiopia. The two-stage sampling procedure was used to determine the sample size. Data were collected from 192 households using a systematic random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also conducted. Both descriptive statistics and econometric analysis were used for data analysis. The average technical efficiency of Sorghum producers was 62.8%, with a min of 23.5% and a max of 96.7%. About 37.2% of output variation from optimal production was observed in the study area. The estimated Gamma (γ) value was 73.4% indicating the presence of inefficiency. Thus, farmers have a chance to maximize their output level by making efficient use of existing resources and technology

From individual decisions to team decisions under risk: evidence from a field experiment

This paper investigates how individual decisions are aggregated to team decisions under risk in field experiment with a sample of Ethiopian farmers and the team decision-making process behind this aggregation. In an experiment structurally similar to the Gneezy-Potters' risk game, subjects make decisions first individually and then jointly with a random anonymous partner. In the aggregate, teams make higher allocation into the risky asset compared to the average of individual decisions. However, teams are neither polarizing nor simply averaging individual preferences. Instead, team decisions are consistent with an outcome of group bargaining and deliberation process based on intensity of individual preferences. But more risk-taking subjects have a stronger influence on team decisions. This influence of more risk-taking members on the group decision is leveraged by their better education levels. Analysis of the team decision-making process reveals several interesting insights. About 54% of the teams do not reach immediate agreement with initial allocations. Both less risk-taking and more risk-taking team members are equally likely to disagree with initial allocations but for different reasons. Teams that disagreed with initial allocations reached final team decisions significantly different from disagreed initial allocations. Less risk-taking subjects are more willing to concede to allocations proposed by more risk-taking subjects to reach at an agreed team decision. Demanding messages in group communications have a stronger effect on outcomes of group decision-making. Finally, teams with greater differences in willingness to take risk among members are more likely to disagree with initial team allocations, take more rounds of deliberations to come to a decision, and make choices further away from the average of individual decisions. Our results permit to better characterize the process of group decision-making beyond differences between individual and group decisions.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency among male and female farmers in Ethiopia

BackgroundDespite a large body of literature on the nexus between knowledge, attitude and practice towards nutrition and gender, this nexus is likely to vary and is not clear in many societies, such as Ethiopia.ObjectivesThe study aimed to analyze the level of gender-based knowledge, attitude, and practice towards malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency using primary data collected from two regional states in Ethiopia.MethodsQualitative and quantitative data collection approaches were used. Qualitative data were analyzed using a narrative and content approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsResults indicate that female are generally more adept than male at identifying the symptoms of malnutrition. However, concerning vitamin A and iodine food types and its deficiency, male respondents had relatively better knowledge and consumption practice than female. Results show that there is very little awareness about biofortified and fortified foods. When we rate respondents, male had a relatively better understanding about fortified foods than their female counterparts.ConclusionFindings can support development agents working to improve nutrition in Ethiopia to focus on improving community knowledge and perception of biofortified and fortified foods to improve diet quality through increased micronutrient intake. The majority of the respondents were aware of the importance of consuming micronutrient rich foods and had a positive attitude towards them. However, there is still a gap in practice. It may therefore require more targeted campaigns to increase the ability of community members to adopt best practices while reducing barriers to consumption of nutritious diet.

Socio-technical design principles for a multi-stakeholder agriculture extension information system in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Though the importance of design knowledge is becoming critical the effort to producing prescriptive knowledge in the information and communication for development domain is limited. Such knowledge addresses the requirements of local development contexts, practices, and priorities and balance the issues of generalizability and specificity through contextualizing the design principles (DPs). This research shows how such contextualized design knowledge can be produced to address the challenges presented by socio-technical contexts in the Ethiopian agriculture extension information service system. The knowledge produced is grounded on insights from kernel/reference theories and complemented with knowledge from empirical observations. The research identified six DPs to address four design requirements: (1) supporting stakeholders’ networking; (2) developing information content that meets the needs of the local context; (3) improving accessibility of agricultural extension information to stakeholders; and (4) enhancing adoption and effective use of the information system. The DPs to address the above socio-technical requirements fall into principles to improve: (1) actor-to-actor networking; (2) agriculture extension information system content development; (3) the accessibility of information; (4) device accessibility; (5) accessibility of interfaces; and (6) effective use and adoption of the (AEIS).

Anti-nutrient contents and methane reduction potential of medicinal plants from maize stover based diet

Greenhouse gas emissions from Ethiopian agriculture are significantly increasing, with the largest share is from enteric fermentation and manure left on pasture. An investigation was conducted to evaluate the anti-nutrient composition and effect of commonly used medicinal plant extracts on enteric methane emission from fibrous feeds using maize stover as substrate feed. Total phenols, flavonoid, tannin and essential oil contents were analyzed using established standards. Effects of leaf extracts of Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, three varieties of Cymbopogon citratus (Cymbopogon citratus-I, Cymbopogon citratus java and Cymbopogon citratus upper awash), Leucaena leucocephala, Moringa stenopetala, three varieties of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosmarinus officinalis I, Rosmarinus officinalis II and Rosmarinus officinalis III) and Thyme schimperi, seed of three Coriandrum sativum varieties (Coriandrum sativum Batu, Coriandrum sativum Tulu and Coriandrum sativum Waltai) and root of Echinops kebericho on total gas production, digestibility and methane production of maize stover were investigated at different doses using the standard procedures. The results indicated that leaf extracts of Acacia nilotica had the highest (P < 0.001) total phenolic and total tannin contents. Compared to other evaluated plant species, all varieties of Cymbopogon citratus had the highest (P < 0.001) flavonoid content. Significantly high (P < 0.001) essential oil content was observed in Rosmarinus officinalis II than other varieties of Rosmarinus officinalis and other plant species. Significant reduction (P < 0.001) of methane production was observed with extracts of Cymbopoon citratus java (22.5 % less methane than the control) and thyme schimperi (16.7 % less methane than the control) at dose of 50 mg/kg DM. There was also significant (P < 0.001) interaction effect between plant species and dose rates at 50 mg/kg DM for both plant species. It can be concluded that the use of 50 mg/kg DM of Cymbopoon citratus java and Thyme schimperi extract to maize stover reduced methane production without negatively affecting feed digestibility. Further studies are necessary to examine the storability of the extracts in different time durations and evaluate their effects in vivo with animals.

Assessment of weed species composition and diversity in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) farms in Ethiopia

Background: Weeds compete for vital nutrients and water with the tomato plants and serve as an alternative host for other pests. Although there is limited information on the weed species composition in major tomato-growing areas in Ethiopia, this study was conducted to identify the economically important weed species in tomato fields in the East Wollega, Shewa, West Shewa, Arsi, and Sidama zones. Methods: The weed flora assessment was conducted in major tomato growing zones of the country, such as East Shewa, Wollega, West Shewa, Arsi, and Sidama zones, in the 2018–2019 cropping season during the off-season. In each tomato field a 1 m x 1 m quadrat was thrown following an inverted X pattern, and weed species were recorded. Weed species composition was calculated using standard formulas. Results: The results revealed that 63 weed species under 23 families were identified at the surveyed locations. Portulaca oleracea was the most abundant and dominant, with 50% of the dominance value. Weed frequency values ranged from 0.06 to 72% in the studied areas. The weed similarity index was also different among the surveyed locations. The results of farmers perceptions on weed management in tomato fields showed that 61% of respondents practiced hoeing followed by hand weeding, and Tuta absoluta was the most significant constraint to tomato production in the surveyed areas. Conclusions: This assessment showed that there are differences in the composition and distribution of weed species in tomato fields in Ethiopia, which aid in predicting the population dynamics of weed flora. Farmers perceptions of weed management practices in tomato fields were also different. Therefore, different environmentally friendly weed management options such as good crop husbandry, biological control, and integrated management should be designed to increase tomato production and productivity.

Wastewater governance in the upstream catchment of the Awash Basin, Ethiopia: challenges and opportunities for better accountability

Abstract With the growing competition for water, demand for food, and the decline of freshwater resources, wastewater and polluted river waters have been increasingly used for agriculture in Ethiopia. The findings of this study show that untreated wastewater discharged from industries into the environment has been polluting rivers and the surrounding environment. Regulatory bodies did little to enforce rules, regulations, and directives provided for the regulation of wastewater. This paper examines the factors that explain weaknesses with respect to the accountability of institutions meant for wastewater governance. In doing so, it discusses task overlaps, corruption, and the absence of environmental courts that significantly affect environmental protection activities. The study found that due to poor implementation of laws and regulations, and lack of relevant information, including poor evidence of the pollution load, enforcement activities are under a great challenge. The paper concludes urban agriculture has been expanding without concern for its negative health and socioeconomic impacts. The positive economic impacts of wastewater agriculture also need to be reassessed and improved as one livelihood option for the farming communities and calls for awareness creation and other measures to fully understand the existing benefits and impacts of wastewater on human health, and the environment.

An overview of the role of irrigation in the attainment of sustainable development goals through hunger and poverty alleviation in Ethiopia

A potential irrigation area of 3,088,395 hectares exists on the 74.3 million hectares of arable land in Ethiopia. The country has not received many benefits despite its enormous irrigation potential. A sizable section of Ethiopia's population today experiences food insecurity and lives below the poverty line. A comprehensive analysis has been conducted to determine the impact and potential of irrigation farming in Ethiopia. Studies have confirmed the role of irrigation in alleviating poverty and promoting food security. Irrigation plays an important role in poverty reduction in Ethiopia. It can alleviate poverty by improving crop productivity, boosting farmer incomes, providing more employment and a better pay rate and contributing to the national GDP in the long run. Irrigation also promotes food security by contributing to all dimensions such as food availability, access to food, food utilization and stability. The development of the sector is thought to significantly contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) given the significance of irrigation in reducing poverty and hunger. Hence, this study emphasizes the necessity of using the irrigation potential and developing the irrigation sector in order to alleviate the misery of hunger and poverty in the country.

Impact of weather index crop insurance on smallholder farmers’ multidimensional food security: evidence from Ethiopia

ABSTRACTWeather events have threatened the realization of food security in Ethiopia. Weather-index crop insurance (WICI) is a risk-transferring strategy recently introduced to farmers in Ethiopia. The study aims to assess the impact of WICI on smallholder farmers' multidimensional food security. To realize its objective, relevant indicators, and the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index were applied to capture the multidimensional realities of food security and the propensity score matching technique to examine the impact. The results show that WICI has a significant positive impact on smallholder farmers' availability, access, utilization and food stability. Besides, the insured farmers have lower incidence, depth, and severity of food insecurity by 9.44%, 3.24% and 1.06% than non-insured farmers. Thus, to realize progress in food security, we advocate improving smallholder farmers' access to affordable WICI products: the existing pilot crop insurance projects shall be used as a milestone to establish an all-inclusive crop insurance program in Ethiopia. The study urges due attention and integrated efforts to build a reliable weather database system and solve smallholder farmers' meager willingness to pay. It contributes to the debate on how WICI impacts farmers' multidimensional food security, arouses further studies on the issue and policy action on building shock-resilient food security.