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