Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa, covering an area of approximately 1.1 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, and South Sudan and Sudan to the west. The country's geography is highly diverse and is dominated by the Ethiopian Highlands, a vast mountainous region often referred to as the "Roof of Africa." These highlands are divided by the Great Rift Valley, which runs from northeast to southwest and contains numerous lakes and volcanic features. Elevations range from the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth, to Ras Dashen, Ethiopia's highest peak at over 4,500 meters. The country's varied topography creates a wide range of climatic conditions, from cool highland environments to hot, arid lowlands.

Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopia's economy and the primary source of livelihood for a large proportion of the population. The sector contributes significantly to employment, export earnings, and food production. Ethiopia's diverse climatic zones and fertile highland soils support the cultivation of numerous crops. Major food crops include teff, maize, wheat, sorghum, and barley, while cash crops such as coffee, sesame, and oilseeds are important sources of export revenue. Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of Arabica coffee, and coffee production remains one of the country's most valuable agricultural activities.

Most Ethiopian agriculture is rain-fed, making it highly dependent on seasonal rainfall patterns. Smallholder farmers dominate the sector, often practicing mixed farming systems that combine crop cultivation with livestock rearing. Cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry are important components of rural livelihoods and contribute to food security and income generation.

Despite its agricultural importance, Ethiopia faces several challenges, including land degradation, soil erosion, periodic droughts, population pressure, and the effects of climate change. Variability in rainfall can lead to fluctuations in crop yields and food availability. To address these issues, the government and development partners have promoted irrigation projects, sustainable land management practices, improved crop varieties, and agricultural extension services. With its extensive agricultural resources and favorable highland environments, Ethiopia has considerable potential to increase productivity, enhance food security, and support long-term economic development.

In 2015 Gerold worked for 3 years in Ethiopia in the establishment of the German OneWorld-NoHunger programme as manager. Klaudia has visited the country many times to meet Gerold and see the rural and real life.