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Growing Ethiopian Markets - n/a Enterprise & Agriculture Ethiopia 2004 - 2006 USAID |
Strengthening the Agricultural Sector
RATIONALEEthiopia has a population over 60 million and is reported to have one of the lowest per capital income levels in Africa. In any given year, 5 to 6 million of the country's people are vulnerable to food shortages. A recurrent cycle of devastating droughts has left increasing percentages of the population vulnerable to losses of their assets and a dependency on food aid. Rural areas where poverty and hunger are most evident are not connected to a responsive economic system. Market systems are weak. The road and communication infrastructure remains undeveloped, resulting in large areas being disconnected to the larger economy. Access to credit and other services limited, as is the adoption of new agricultural technologies. Information and communication technologies are needed to better link surplus and deficit food areas in the country. Local and foreign investment is increasing. Private sector and businesses started to become active in development efforts starting in 1991, however the interest of the private sector has often focused on short-term profits. Many private sector entities lacked a vision for long-term investment or development activities that bring income from outside entities.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of Growing Ethiopian Markets (GEM) is to provide capacity building, practical problem-solving and organizational support to Ethiopian agribusiness associations and their private sector members to overcome barriers in order to compete more effectively in local, regional and world markets and to increase employment and business opportunities for vulnerable rural populations. While strengthening capacity, expectations are for quick and immediate impacts that provide replicable results.
Over the longer-term, the project's activities will cultivate partnerships and private sector entities in the agricultural sector, ultimately to contribute to famine prevention and greater food security.
ACTIVITIES
GEM focuses on new approaches to increase economic growth as a means to reduce vulnerability to hunger and famine and while creating the economic resources that will enable households to be self reliant The following were identified as having potential for economic growth: livestock, foodgrains, coffee, horticulture, and small enterprise. The geographic scope of GEM includes the regions of Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Souther Nations Nationalities and Peoples, and Somali.
Wiinrock International will provide in-country Ethiopian expertise and short term ex-patriate technical assistance to agribusiness associations and their members.
Pilot Marketing programs will take place. Winrock may provide specialized organizational and business training, supporting analyses and consultative processes at the federal and regional levels among representatives of government, private sector, international donors, and producer organizations.
Study trips and invitational travel will expose high and mid-level federal and regional Government of Ethiopia officials, agribusiness association officials and private sector representatives to successful industries and networks in other countries.