Centro de conocimientos sobre agroecología

Multifunctionality of smallholder farming

A way towards sustaining food security and carbon neutral

The aim of the study is to assess the food security, adapting/mitigation opportunities to climate change and policy situation and draw policy recommendations. The study was conducted in some selected districts of Tigray Region, Ethiopia based on some exemplary interventions such as communities, ISD, BPA and PROLINNOVA-Ethiopia. Agriculture in tropical Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular refers to smallholder farming. It is the main economic activity of Ethiopia. It is dominated by smallholder farming. Traditional farming systems that have emerged over centuries of cultural and biological evolution, based on locally available resources and practices. But today this type of agriculture is highly affected by natural and human activities especially the climate change. Even though the GHG emission contribution of Ethiopia is insignificant the effect of climate change is very wide. Consequently, it is creating food insecure society. However, the smallholder farming practice in Ethiopia has multifunctional dimension: high agrobiodiversity, inventive, self-reliance, experiential knowledge and locally available resources; indigenous farmers have often developed farming systems with sustained yields under low levels of technology and with limited environmental impact. The existing situation of the smallholder farming practices in Ethiopia indicated high population density, small land holding and almost no land fallowing practices. However, agricultural production and input utilization is increasing over time. In moisture stress areas of Ethiopia production with ecological means is higher than the conventional way. In addition to the socio-economic benefits policies, rules, regulations and the present CRGE plan of the Ethiopian government indicate in favor of smallholder farming. On the other hand many governments and projects are strategizing to increase food production through their respective advisers back up by donors such as Asian Green Revolution, Sasakawa Global 2000, Millennium Village, AGRA etc with projects "that fit all". However, they are unsustainable i.e. shows higher production only at the beginning with a dramatic reduction in crop production. This has created a wrong debate among project owners, donors and like minded people that transnational backed projects are dominated the localized farming system. Therefore, this requires recognizing and then supporting with the academic, extension, research and agricultural development of the country.

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Año: 2012
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País(es): Ethiopia
Cobertura geográfica: África
Idioma utilizado para los contenidos: English
Author: Hailu Araya Tedla ,
Tipo: Documento de trabajo
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