Looking Inward on Indigenous Wisdom for Innovation: The Case of Crop Mixture in Ethiopia

Fall 2024 Harry ’51 and Joshua ’49 Tsujimoto Perspectives in Global Development Seminar Series

Abstract

Biodiversity, food, ancient crops and agricultural practices in tandem with the associated indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) are key assets in Ethiopia’s drive toward sustainability, food security and resilience. As an overly agrarian society subjected to natural and human-induced drivers, Ethiopia’s forward stride, among others, hinges upon protecting and enhancing plant agrobiodiversity and the associated ILK. Research aimed at uncovering the status and merits of traditional grain mixtures in South Wollo and Oromia Special zones (northern Ethiopia) is scheduled for discussion by a panel of three researchers focusing on (1) status of cultivation and use; (2) agronomy & crop protection and (3) nutrition and food values. This presentation begins with an overview of Ethiopia and its agrobiodiversity and zooms down on mixture cultivation and utilization based on the data generated by four PhD students of Addis Ababa University who applied ethnobotanical methodology. Field surveys, interviews and discussions with farmers and other stakeholders in 18 subdistricts, located in highland, midland and lowland agroecological zones within five selected districts showed the extent of the resources and the associated knowledge and practice on the farm, at home and in the market. The four mixtures of six crops (four cereals and two legumes) are all cultivated to date and used by farming communities, albeit with low frequencies in some. The wheat (Triticum spp.)-barley (Hordeum vulgare) and faba bean (Vicia faba)-field pea (Pisum sativum) mixtures are in their declining phases, being cultivated by about 10% of the farmers in 2023. The two variety mixtures of the major cereal staples, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and teff (Eragrostis tef), on the other hand, are in good status being cultivated by up to 90% of the farmers. Grain mixtures are allied to polyculture farming, commonly found throughout Ethiopia and linked to Ethiopian food systems. Grain mixtures are important components of the nutritional and financial sources of local communities in South Wollo, adjacent areas and elsewhere in the country. Informants depicted grain mixtures as providers of key benefits (4-9) highlighting some challenges (6-8) and reflecting on mitigation strategies through land use options, reducing crop failure, and improving soil fertility and human nutrition. The practice contributes to crop diversity, food and nutrition security, soil regeneration and climate resilience. Sustenance of the practice and the cultural ways need to engage state-of-the-art science and policy tools. The research informs Ethiopia and its development partners of the need to engage with hitherto underserved orphan species and undervalued traditional systems.

Speakers

Zemede Asfaw, Addis Ababa University

• Title: Wisdom of Smallholder Farmers on Traditional Grain Mixtures
• Bio: Dr Zemede Asfaw is a Professor of Ethnobotany and Plant Biodiversity working for Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia since 1978. He has undertaken teaching at different levels; and supervised many MSc and PhD student research in Ethnobotany, agrobiodiversity, Indigenous crops, Homegardens and related areas and published extensively. He collaborates with different local and international researchers and governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Asmare Dejen, Wollo University

• Title: Indigenous Wisdom for Innovation on Traditional Grain Mixtures

Endale Amare, Ethiopian Public Health Institute

• Bio: Dr. Endale Amare Kifle holds his PhD in Food Science and Nutrition from Addis Ababa University. He was a research fellow at the Institute of Research for Development, Montpellier, France and at the Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Italy. Dr. Endale is currently a Senior Researcher of Food Science and Nutrition and Head of the Food Science and Nutrition Research Division at Ethiopian Public Health Institute. He worked as assistant professor of Food and Nutrition at the College of Health Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University and a Researcher at the Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute. He has more than 15 years of teaching and research experience. He was also serving as team leader of the Food and Nutrition Research Unit at Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute for more than two years. Dr. Endale supervised and evaluated over 20 graduate students. He has been involved in several projects funded by national and international donors. His research interests focuses on valorizing underutilized and indigenous foods, food bioactives functional foods, nutrient bioavailability testing in vitro and in vivo, food quality and safety, and ensuring food and nutrition security through managing the post-harvest loss of produces. Dr. Endale is the Principal investigator of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative Center of Excellence at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute.

About the seminar series

The Harry ’51 & Joshua ’49 Tsujimoto Perspectives in Global Development Seminar Series showcases innovative approaches to development with experts from around the globe. Each year, the series attracts online registrants from over 45 countries and more than 350 organizations. 

Seminars are held Wednesdays from 12:20-1:10 p.m. eastern time during the semester in 175 Warren Hall. Students, faculty and the general public are welcome to attend in-person or via Zoom.

The series is co-sponsored by the Department of Global Development, the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the School of Integrative Plant Science as part of courses GDEV 4961, AEM 4961, NTRES 4961, GDEV 6960, AEM 6960, and NTRES 6960.