Policies to promote cereal intensification in Ethiopia: A review of evidence and experience

Derek Byerlee, David Spielman, Dawit Alemu and Madhur Gautam

No 707, IFPRI discussion papers from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Abstract: Despite more than a decade of policies placing high priority on cereal intensification, backed by one of the highest rates of public expenditures on agricultural in Africa, Ethiopia has yet to see payoffs in terms of higher and more stable cereal yields, reduced dependency on food aid, improved food security, and lower consumer prices for staples. There is understandable concern about the performance, efficiency and sustainability of the agricultural sector, specifically in terms of the current systems for providing extension services, improved seed, fertilizer, and credit. This paper aims to illuminate possible solutions available to improving the prospects for cereal intensification in Ethiopia. The paper traces the largely state-led policies that have been put in place to stimulate increased cereal productivity and examines the extent to which these policies have had their intended impacts. This review indicates that although Ethiopia has an admirable and sustained record of supporting seed-fertilizer technological intensification in cereals, the related state-led policies have outlived their usefulness, suggesting the need for a rethinking of approaches.

Keywords: cereal crops; agricultural development; agricultural extension; fertilizers; seed industry; developing countries; food policies; Ethiopia; Africa; Eastern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr and nep-agr
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (42)

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https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160209

Related works:
Working Paper: Policies to Promote Cereal Intensification in Ethiopia: A Review of Evidence and Experience (2007)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fpr:ifprid:707

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