Forum for Social Studies (FSS)        A New Initiative in Ethiopia  

(July 21, 2006) An environmental researcher says that a significant volume of social is being eroded in Ethiopia annually. Utilization of alternative agriculture methods and changing feeding habits play significant role to ensure food security and conserve natural resources.

Environment researcher with Forum for Social Studies (FSS), Dr Daniel Kassahun told ENA that over 84 million tons of soil is eroded annually from teff farms particularly in northern and central Ethiopia.

He said one need to plough five times a farmland to cultivate teff due to in fertility of land because of erosion.

Soil erosion n Ethiopia constitutes 8 per cent the total global erosion which stands at 25 billion tons, Dr. Daniel said.

He said Ethiopia, Haiti and Lesotho are the world's worst affected by soil erosion.

The soil erosion is five times high in teff farmlands than that of plants like chat, vegetables and fruits, Dr. Daniel said.

Accordingly, the cultivation of teff further escalates soil erosion, he said, adding besides its yield is less than of maize.

One can havest 8.43 quintals of teff per hectar against 18.8 quintals of maize per hectare, the researcher said, adding that besides the cultivation of teff is more laborious, Dr. Daniel said.

He said it would be more advisable to minimize the cultivation of teff and increases that of maize in Ethiopia to maximize productive and ensure food security.