Preparations for analysis of market incentives and disincentives are underway

The Government of Ethiopia has liberalized agricultural markets, expanded investment in transport and communications, and launched (in February 2009) the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) to improve grain trade through creating a new market place that serves producers, traders, processors, exporters, consumers and other actors. The MAFAP team is currently compiling data for analysis of market incentives and disincentives that producers of different commodities have been facing in recent years. Some of the most important commodities of the country, including teff, maize, sorghum, wheat, sesame, coffee, milk and meat (cattle), will be considered for the analysis.

Collaboration at country level

MAFAP is seeking intensive collaboration at with various stakeholders at country level. In November 2011, MAFAP staff visited the country and held preliminary discussions with potential partner institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Director of Planning and Programming Directorate, Deputy Director of Extension Directorate), the Central Statistical Agency (National Coordinator of CountryStat), and the Agricultural Transformation Agency (Executive Director). The focus and scope of the project was well-received and an agreement was reached for further cooperation including the identification of a national focal point.