The following article originally appeared in the October 21 2006 edition of The Ethiopian Herald, reachable via the link at the bottom of the page.


Written by Dr. Abera Debelo (SG 2000)



Different attempts had been made by both the imperial rule and Derg regime over the last three or four decades to ensure food security in Ethiopia. But not one was able to increase agricultural production and bring about a noticeable change in the life of the small-scale farmer. The level of technology was generally rudimentary and productivity per hectare amongst the lowest in the world.

But in 1992, the initiative of the Agricultural Development-Led Industrialization (ADLI) strategy by the government began to create a conducive environment for the agricultural sector and this encouraged Sasakawa-Global 2000 (SG 2000), led by Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, father of the green revolution in India and Pakistan in the 1960s, and funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan, to introduce, in collaboration with the Government, a new system of extension intervention aimed at increasing the productivity of small holder farmers. The improved varieties and crop production technologies with a potential to double or triple traditional yields in Ethiopia--the first efforts of SG 2000 was when it launched its programme in 1993--a catalytic role in creating effective linkages between national agricultural research centre and the government's extension systems.


Under the direction of Dr Marco Quinones, SG 2000's objective was then to transfer the appropriate technology into farmers' fields through the extension services--as had been done successfully in other African countries. This saw the establishment of the Extension Management Training Plot (EMTP)--a demonstration engaging farmers in improving varieties of seed breeding with the correct agronomic practices. Providing availability of credit facilities for the purchase of agricultural inputs; the training of grassroots development agents and farmers; and the provision of facilities and incentives for outstanding farmers within the package--and suddenly there was a real opportunity, which farmers could see and appreciate.

In a short time, SG 2000 proved that it was possible to increase the yields of staple food crops in Ethiopia from two to fourfold through the use of locally-developed and available research outputs. This was primarily the result of a collaborative efforts by the national agricultural research system, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Extension Department, regional bureaus of agriculture, farmers and SG 2000.

Not surprisingly, the then Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE) was pleased with the results. Several high ranking government officials, including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi (President of the TGE) visited the SG 2000 sponsored EMTPs. Having become convinced of the validity of the on-farm demonstration results, the TGE decided to launch a similar model of extension intervention in the country. As a result, the TGE designed a new programme known as the "National Extension Intervention Programme"(NEIP). NEIP included not only food crop technology packages, but also packages of high value crops, livestock, post-harvest and natural resources development.
As the number and productivity of the plots increased, so did production. The number of NEIP demonstration plots grew from 32,047 in the 1995/96 (crop season) to 3.6 million in 2000/01. The overall average yield of maize, wheat and teff for the seven year period from 1993/94 to 2000/01 was 50, 28, and 16 qt/ha, respectively, against 16, 11 and 7 qt/ha for traditional plots for the same crops during the same period. Undeniably, significant changes were observed at the national level, particularly between the years 1995/96 and 2000/01, which could be ascribed to the expansion and interventions of the government sponsored demonstration sites across the country.


The supply of inputs like fertilizer and improved seeds have increased tremendously. The positive attitude of farmers towards using hybrid maize seed is worth mentioning. It was surprising that the demand for composite varieties had declined since the establishment of the NEIP and that, within such short period, almost all farmers were planting maize in rows.

The Rural Based Agricultural Development Strategy Document issued in 2002 by Government of Ethiopia reflected NEIP's influence on the future plans of the government on the intensification of the programme. The document stated that by the year 2005, all members of the farming community (nearly nine million households) would be accommodated in the programme. Grassroots-level development agents would be trained and employed. More seeds would be produced and fertilizer distribution would increase.

However major problems had been encountered by the NEIP during implementation. These problems have had a direct impact on the growth of agricultural production. The problems were related to marketing and processing the produce of the farmers, the shortage of improved varieties for high value crops and for moisture-stress areas; and an absence of crop and location-specific fertilizer recommendations.

After the adoption and expansion of on-farm demonstration plots, SG 2000 decided to shift its interventions to other production-influencing factors like the promotion of post-harvest technologies and minimum tillage practices, involvement in the popularization of inventory credit schemes, and supporting the efforts of the Government of Ethiopia in capacity-building. Here the project collaborates with the Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE), a sister organization of SG 2000, which is partly financing the academic, lodging and scientific research fees for higher education, (BSc, MSc and PhD) at Haromaya University, and other universities in Africa. This is a unique and highly successful project involving mid-career extensionists who have never had academic recognition before.


Quality Protein Maize (QPM) has also become an important area of interest due to its nutritional value. The National Variety Release Committee has recently released one QPM variety. Supported by SG 2000 and other partners, efforts are also underway to convert a well-known locally developed maize hybrid to QPM.

A decline in yields on NEIP demonstration plots has been observed. This is mainly because NEIP is now working with millions of farmers which results in an inevitable loss in the quality of advice rendered by extension to participating farmers. Consequently, SG 2000 is planning to establish a limited number of "Standard of Excellence EMTPs" to provide quality control demonstrations in selected sites. In addition to the ongoing programmes, the project will also support activities like demonstrating the nutritional value of Quality Protein Maize (QPM), the promotion of the production of rice varieties in areas where the environment is marginal for traditional crops, and the popularization of improved farm implements and agro-processing machines.

Working with the Government of Ethiopia, SG 2000 has proved that more food can be grown by smallholder farmers in high production areas. In fact the production of cereals at a national level has risen from an average 7 million tons in the 1980s to over 14 million tons in 2006. This growth is reflected in the consumption of fertilizer--from 10,000 tons in the early 1990s to around 400,000 tons currently.


Now new strategies are being introduced to achieve greater impact in helping accelerate growth in agriculture. There has also been a change of philosophy from the prime concern of increasing the production of staple foods to improving farmer livelihoods.

One new area is the promotion of water harvesting and utilization techniques in moisture stress areas of the Rift Valley aimed at using run off water collected in underground or above ground water storage structures--or water from river diversion for the production of high value crops, using drip irrigation. There is a possible dairy component, too, to increase further household incomes and reduce poverty. Thus there is currently ongoing work in cooperation with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) to popularize dairy production, management and marketing techniques for farmers participating in water harvesting schemes. Similarly there is collaboration with the World Agro-Forestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) to popularize fruit tree and vegetable production among farmers harvesting water which, again, will diversify production for income generation and household security.

Ethiopia has since become the centre for Sasakawa regional activity. Earlier this year it was decided that Ethiopia would be one of four SG 2000 focus countries in Africa--the others being Uganda, Mali and Nigeria. But, in addition, it would become the hub for such Sasakawa regional activities as agro-processing, rice and the SAFE programme.

SG 2000, celebrating its 20th anniversary in Africa has been inspired by Dr Norman Borlaug, aged 92, and still driven by the conviction that agriculture in Africa can succeed. And it is supported by former US President Jimmy Carter, who, through the Carter Center, provides policy advice to national leaders--and of course Yohei Sasakawa, whose Nippon Foundation has remained steadfast in its financial support for SG 2000 in Africa.