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KLV ADDIS CONFERENCE ON “HOW TO FEED THE WORLD?”: THE ETHIOPIAN
PERSPECTIVE28 January 2011
Introduction• On 28 January 2011 KLV and Wageningen UR
jointly organized an Alumni conference in Addis Ababa
• 50 Alumni (Wageningen University, VHL and CDI) discussed the conference theme -“How to feed the World?”
• Five key note presentations and an opening address by the Netherlands Ambassador
Growth and Transformation Plan
GTP/AGP (2010-2015)• GTP aims at achieving national food security and
at increasing exports of high-value crops• AGP is a government programme supported by
joint donors (US$ 300 million), aiming at:– Scaling-up model farmers’ practices –or: “best fits”-to
“non-model” farmers– Improving agricultural input use (seeds, fertilizers and
small-scale irrigation)– Transforming farmers to produce high-value agricultural
commodities
GTP/AGP: Up-scaling best practices
• The target is to enable all farmers to produce as model farmers (8 tonnes/ha while present average is 2-3 tonnes)
• The Ethiopian research and extension system is in place to assist farmers with:– Indentification, documentation of farmers’ innovations
and “best fits”– Dissemination of improved practices and “best fits”– In parallel, piloting new technologies from research for
up-scaling
GTP/AGP: Water, agri-business
• Improving agricultural water use, small-scale irrigation and watershed-based soil and water conservation
• Agri-business and market development - transforming farmers to producing high value commodities
• Strengthen supply system of key inputs (seeds, fertilizer, livestock breeds)
PSNP in marginal areas
• The Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) targets areas with chronic food insecurity, malnutrition, and vulnerability
• There are 7.2 million structurally food insecure people enlisted for food aid in Ethiopia
• PSNP activities (US$ 250 million):– Household asset building– Public works (cash or food-for-work)– Resettlement (on voluntary basis) in lowlands and higher
productivity ecologies
PSNP public works: percolation ponds, and gulley rehabilitation
Ethiopia: Opportunities• Strong political commitment: investment in
agriculture accounts to over 10% of GDP
• Ample natural resource base and cheap labour: – Huge area of high-potential arable land (only 8.5 M ha of
112 M ha is utilized)– Diverse agro-ecologies: possibilities for different crops in
different areas at different times
• Extensive extension system: 69,000 frontline extension workers in crop, livestock and natural resource management
• High potential for international trade with >20% export growth/year
Ethiopia: Challenges• High population growth (>2 million people per year) -
47% of children under 5 are chronically malnourished
• Degrading natural resource base: soil erosion, deforestation, loss of biodiversity
• Limited infrastructure (poor secondary and tertiary roads), poorly functioning markets
• Diminutive and fragmented land holdings: average holding is <1 ha/family of 6-8 persons for over 60% of farmers
Recommendations• To the Netherlands Government:– Continue investing in capacity development in
higher education (e.g. NICHE), and in knowledge transfer
– Align development programmes and strategies to other partners (e.g. CAADP, FAAP & AGRA)
– NL government can use the ‘Ethiopian experience’ in its strategies in other partner countries
– Invite the Dutch Permanent Representative to FAO, Mrs. Gerda Verburg, to promote these proposals
Recommendations• To KLV Wageningen Alumni Network:
– KLV and Wageningen UR to help Ethiopia to establish an Ethiopia-Wageningen alumni association
– To identify and contact alumni in Ethiopia that can help the Netherlands Embassy and development organisations to design, implement and review programmes in Ethiopia
– To establish an on-line platform for professional discussion and sharing of ideas
– To facilitate better networking opportunities for Ethiopian alumni members
THANK YOU
Dr. Eyasu Elias