The struggle for self reliance in food

Tesfaye Lemma

A period of twenty six years has elapsed since the country embarked on the path of democracy. Had it not been for the active participation of Ethiopia people the country could not achieve all the social, economic and political gains.

Since 28 May 1991, Ethiopia has experienced both changes and challenges. That victory day was the major turning point in its history. We see a number of radical changes in the country. The changes could incorporate socioeconomic and political grounds.

It was challenging even to convince even the people about the policy that radically changed the country within the past twenty six years. But there is one saying that goes like “If there is will, there is a way.”

The political commitment and the willingness of the Ethiopian people who realized the very intention of the government contributed to the overwhelming changes in the country that did well to the public at large.   

The changes are so visible that no one could deny. That is why international organizations like World Bank reported Ethiopia’s economic gains in the past twenty six years particularly in the first Growth and Transformation Plan.

The gains in that period indicated the country’s feasibility to alleviate poverty and ensure sustainable economic growth if the people, the government and development partners exerted consolidated efforts.  It is undeniable that poverty has been decreasing from time to time due to the consolidated efforts of the government and people of Ethiopia.

Recognizant of this fact, the Government has maintained its commitment to carry out its second National Plan, which is mainly aligned with some fundamental pillars including fostering economic development along with social and environmental protection, poverty alleviation plan through mobilizing available natural resources and strengthening the participation of the people and the partnerships of development partners.  

That is why the government repeatedly announced that the development in Ethiopia is a responsibility of multiple stakeholders with the main focus to invest on the agriculture then to integrate it with the industrial development.  Documents indicated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates for agriculture, industry and services accounted 6.6, 20 and 10.7 percents respectively in the first GTP period.

In the first GTP activities carried out in agricultural transformation enabled thousands of farmers not only to be food self reliance but also changed their classes. There are considerable numbers of farmers who have turned to potential investors as the managed to raise their productivity via irrigation development.

Many people at home and abroad believe that here is light at the end of the tunnel if there would be a proper execution of the second Growth and Transformation Plan. The 2010-2016 periods will be a better time to Ethiopia as the experience in the first GTP period would help in executing the second GTP.

The economic performance of the first half of this budget year indicated that continuous development seems inevitable despite instability challenges the country encountered with in 2016/17 in some areas of two states.  In its greater inclusive development, the government has been providing lots of opportunities for women and the youth.  

One of these could be through creating job opportunities. In this regard, developing the industrial sector could play a significant role. So far, the textiles, the sugar projects, the dams and other industrial sectors have provided a remarkable opportunity to citizens particularly women and the youth.    

The manufacturing sector will play a significant role to accommodate an increased employment. Besides, air transportation and tourism will contribute considerably to fetch hard currency. The manufacturing sector will also focus on light industries, while the government has planned to give special attention to heavy industries.

In the second GTP, the government has planned to generate about 16 billion USD revenue from exports.  About 25 percent of it will be from the manufacturing sector, which could widen the job opportunities.   

In fact, empowering the youth and women could be possible if and only if there are sufficient access to health and education. Unless the youth get chances to be healthy and get educated them, only job creation might not reduce poverty.

Recognizant of the government has been doing its level best having set different strategies that could help to promote healthy macroeconomic conditions.   Documents indicated that investment could represent 41.3 percent of the GDP in the second GTP and the industrial sector is expected to grow by over 18 percent in the next five years.

In fact, the agricultural sector will continue to be a major contributor to GDP he coming years, hence increased productivity is vital for the realization of the second national development plan.

It is also focused to foster agricultural development, irrigation systems will be developed over four million hectares of land. Irrigation expansion was established as a priority in the first GTP.  With a decreasing share of GDP, the agricultural sector is expected to represent only 36 percent of the GDP by the end of the second GTP.

 All these gains amidst a number of challenges in the past twenty five years witnessed that, the country is now on the right track to successfully alleviate poverty and ensure sustainable economic development.