Thursday 3rd February 2005

Bumper Harvest in Ethiopia

According to a joint UN report, Ethiopia is enjoying a bumper harvest from the 2004 main season with projections forecasting a 24% increase in productivity on 2003. The 14.27 million tonnes produced in 2004 not only surpasses the 11.49 millions tonnes from the previous year, but it is also 21% above the average for the past five years.

The report, which was published by UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) on 28^th January, attributed the increase to an extended main season rainfall, increased use of fertilizer and improved seeds, particularly wheat and maize.

Some pastoral areas in eastern and southern Ethiopia suffered from erratic and poorly distributed rains, about which the report raised some concerns.

The emergency food requirements were estimated at 387,500 tonnes, with a further 89,000 tonnes of fortified blended food and vegetable oil required for a targeted supplement programme for children under five years of age and pregnant women. This compares favourably with the relief food requirement in 2004 of 956,000 tonnes.

It estimated that 2.2 million Ethiopians will need food assistance in 2005 but referred to the new Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) which would distribute cash and food transfers to people suffering from hunger to tackle longer-term food security needs, by moving away from ‘traditional’ methods.

"For the first time in the history of food aid assistance in Ethiopia, there is a different response to the needs of acutely undernourished people," said Georgia Shaver, WFP's Country Director in Ethiopia.

"The PSNP will help families to create and maintain assets and decrease households' vulnerability to shocks and crises in the future," Shaver added.

WFP will distribute food to affected communities in exchange for their undertaking development activities, such as land rehabilitation and water and soil conservation initiatives.

"Local purchase of cereals for food assistance programmes is recommended as far as possible, so as to assist domestic markets and farmers," said Henri Josserand, Chief of FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System.

Agriculture is the main economic activity in Ethiopia, contributing to 45 percent of GDP with some 80 percent of the population earning a living directly or indirectly from agricultural activities.

ENDS