Agriculture Update

Scaling up humanitarian response in key sectors that support food security, including agriculture, remains the priority for both Government and partners in view of the deteriorating food and nutritional security conditions in areas where production has been negatively affected by poor belg (mid-February to May) rains. With the window for planting of long-cycle meher crops (i.e. cereals such as teff, barley, maize, and wheat) now closed in most areas, the focus is on procuring and distributing pulse seeds (i.e. lentils, soy beans, chick peas, haricot beans) to affected farmers. Pulse seeds can still be planted in September in most areas. In pocket areas where meher planting is still viable, long-cycle seed distribution should also be pursued. At present, SNNPR seems to be well covered with various seed and root and tuber crop projects ongoing. The priority areas for expanded agricultural interventions are Amhara and Oromia and, to a lesser extent, agro-pastoralist areas of Somali and some parts of Tigray. At the request of the Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS), the DRM Agriculture Task Force is establishing two teams to review seed needs, responses and gaps in Amhara and Oromia. The teams will also identify available in-country sources of quality seed in addition to the Ethiopian Seed Authority. For more information, contact: infodrmfss@dppc.gov.et or ocha-eth@un.org