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Family Farms, Agricultural Productivity, and the Terrain of Food (In)security in Ethiopia

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  • Till Stellmacher

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Girma Kelboro

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

Despite economic development and social improvements, millions of family farmers in Ethiopia are still struggling with food insecurity. Lack of technology adoption by family farmers is often considered as the root cause for low agricultural productivity and persistence of food insecurity. Based on a study of family farms in southwestern Ethiopia, we show the complex nexus between family farming, food insecurity, and agricultural productivity. We collected qualitative and quantitative data through 300 sample household interviews; expert interviews with elders and village chairmen, agricultural extension agents, farmers’ cooperative heads, as well as experts in NGOs, research institutes, and state agencies; and on-farm observations with in-depth interviews and discussions with individual farmers. Our findings illustrate that everyday experiences, culture, knowledge, and priorities of farmers coupled with ecological and political factors play crucial roles—and need more consideration than the classic ‘lack of technology’ theorem.

Suggested Citation

  • Till Stellmacher & Girma Kelboro, 2019. "Family Farms, Agricultural Productivity, and the Terrain of Food (In)security in Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-10, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4981-:d:266497
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Irena Augustyńska & Joanna Pawłowska-Tyszko, 2025. "Factors for Development of Small Farms in Selected European Union Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Rumana Akter & Shakuntala H. Thilsted & Nazia Hossain & Hiroe Ishihara & Nobuyuki Yagi, 2019. "Fish is the Preferred Animal-Source Food in the Rural Community of Southern Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Aparna Rao & Risa Morimoto, 2020. "An Analysis of the use of Chemical Pesticides and their Impact on Yields, Farmer Income and Agricultural Sustainability: The Case for Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia," Working Papers 234, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London, UK.
    5. Karolina Pawlak & Małgorzata Kołodziejczak, 2020. "The Role of Agriculture in Ensuring Food Security in Developing Countries: Considerations in the Context of the Problem of Sustainable Food Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-20, July.

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