Background

Agriculture has always been the source of livelihoods in Ethiopia and is thus often dubbed as the backbone of the national economy. The sector employs more than 80% of the population. It also contributes 43% of the gross domestic product, and 90% of the export earnings is derived from agriculture. Moreover, it supplies a significant proportion of the raw materials for the agro-industries. However, due to the poor, traditional and backward agricultural performance, millions of people still face food shortage, famine, starvation, and malnutrition.