Smart Technologies to Ensure Sustainable Farming in Ethiopia
"There is something that we are not doing properly, that is why we keep on falling short of feeding the whole Africa," mutters Dr. Kodjo P. Abassa, trying to get comfy on his chair. Dr. Abassa, former Adviser at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, has worked for more than 25 years in the field of sustainable agriculture and biotechnology. "Actually, Ethiopia alone can feed the whole Africa," he declared. He stated that Ethiopia possesses the largest livestock population in Africa and the third in the world, yet the country is not benefiting enough from this tremendous resource due to several reasons.
Off late, African Conference on Sustainable Communities (ACOSC) was channeled by Dr. Abassa and his colleagues with the aim of exchanging ideas on new trends and technology assisted agriculture to eventually transform the sector to ultimately ensure sustainable farming.
"We would like to employ a strategy of 'one village at a time'. For a reason that agriculture requires the collective action of all actors which actually are equally important, the deployment of an integrated approach is very important.
So, first we study the profile of a village to identify the prevailing potential as well as the problem. We will identify the technology they own and the technology they need. If we want to fundamentally change the way agriculture is being practiced, it is necessary to launch a sustainable programme that is owned by the farmer and the community," he added.
CAFNR/Kyle Spradley