Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Synthesis Report
Berhanu Nega
The real story: Broad Conclusion
Not much positive externality in almost all the
modules coming from Ethiopian agriculture as it is
currently operating
The few positive externalities are largely a result of
the backwardness of agriculture, which are likely to
change with development.
These positive externalities include:
Environment: Low external input, thus forex saving
(in the enset culture) less water contamination,
existence of genetic diversity (coffee, enset),
landscape amenities (open field agriculture…etc. a
reminiscence of 17th century Europe?)
Low rural urban migration: Although the opposite is
what is desirable under Ethiopian circumstances
Factors inhibiting positive roles and
externalities
Structure of production: micro and decreasing size
holding, low technology, low skill, rain dependent
agriculture
Policy and institutional configuration: land policy
(insecurity, absence of land markets, diminishing size
holding, inhibiting migration, powerlessness); the nature of
liberalization, (effect on output prices and inputs);
Agriculture Development Led Industrialization (only
technology improvements emphasized without institutional
and structural change)
Population pressure: land holding size and environmental
implications (farming marginal areas, hill sides,
deforestation…etc.)
Spatial Imbalance: very low urbanization affecting demand,
and thus agri.prices.
Agriculture’s share in GDP
250
200
Kg/person
150
100
50
0
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
Per capita cereal + pulses (kg) Year
The national level food security situation:
average daily energy supply:1880 kcal/cap,
44% of the population is undernourished; and 47% of
under 5 children are underweight.
Ethiopia heavily relies on food aid which averages at about
800,000 MT/ year.