Ethiopia is a landlocked country in Eastern Africa with a population of approximately 102.4 million people. The agricultural sector represents 41% of GDP and employs 85% of the workforce. Soil and climate conditions favor the cultivation of diverse farm products. Nevertheless, food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition are still prevalent in parts of Ethiopia. Triggering factors include droughts and floods, while systemic factors, such as environmental degradation, a low degree of mechanization and low use of technology in the agricultural sector, a lack of employment opportunities and high population pressure also significantly contribute to this problem. The national diet is heavily starch-based, and starchy staples provide more than three quarters of dietary energy supply. This is reflected on Ethiopia’s reliance on wheat imports which constitute 36% of the total import value, despite high wheat production levels. In terms of exports, Ethiopia is Africa’s largest coffee producer; coffee production represents the greatest source of export revenue for the country. Legumes, notably fava beans, are the third most important export crop. They are also important for food security, due to their low price and high protein content.
Read the full country dossier here, see the Ethiopia farmer innovation contest page here, and read the country innovation study on the status of agricultural innovations, innovation platforms and innovation investments in Ethiopia here.
Ethiopia on 
Published as ZEF Working Paper No. 166.
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Further information about the farmer innovation contests organised by PARI in Africa can be found here.Read more Recognizing and rewarding farmers’ creativity through contests: experiences and insights from four African countries
Dossiers available for download by country (October 2017).Read more Innovation for Sustainable Agricultural Growth – 12 Country Dossiers
Published as E.E. Rezaei and T. Giaser, ZEF Discussion Papers on Development Policy No. 239
Download paper.Read more Change in crop management strategies could double the maize yield in Africa
Download the poster (3.6 Mb).Read more PARI Poster: Recognizing Farmer Innovators in Africa
The ReSAKSS Country eAtlases is a GIS-based mapping tool designed to help policy analysts and policymakers access and use high quality and highly disaggregated data on agricultural, socio-economic, and bio-physical indicators to guide agricultural policy and investment decisions.
The Innovation Studies for the 12 African PARI countries provide an overview of the status of agricultural innovations, innovation platforms and innovation investment in the respective country. Read more Country Innovation Studies
A study for the special initiative “One World, No Hunger” of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
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Summary of a report on potentials and possibilities for German collaboration in agriculture in the 12 PARI countries.
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Read more Report on Potentials and Cooperation Opportunities in African Countries
Dossiers available for download by country and as a complete collection (September 2015) .Read more Potentials and Possibilities for German Collaboration in Agriculture – 12 Country Dossiers
Published as: ZEF Discussion Papers on Development Policy No. 200.
Download paper.Read more Regional trade and volatility in staple food markets in Africa