Potato and sweetpotato technology transforming lives in drought and conflict-affected Ethiopia – International Potato Center

In recent years, Ethiopia has faced formidable challenges, grappling with prolonged droughts and ongoing conflicts that have inflicted severe food insecurity, malnutrition, and economic disruptions on its communities. However, a beacon of hope has emerged through the efforts of the International Potato Center (CIP) and its local partners. Since 2015, we have been implementing emergency response projects to combat these crises, offering a lifeline to affected households by introducing resilient and nutrient-rich potato and sweetpotato varieties alongside innovative crop management technologies. The impact of these interventions has been nothing short of remarkable, benefiting over 107,300 households across 114 districts in four regional states. Here we discuss the strategies, achievements, and challenges that have shaped this transformative journey while drawing lessons for the future.

The road to resilience: Strategies that work

A foundational cornerstone of CIP’s approach has been conducting rigorous needs assessments in conjunction with local partners. This step allows for a profound understanding of the crises’ ramifications on the communities, paving the way for the identification of effective interventions that enhance food and nutrition security and facilitate the transition to self-reliance. Central to these interventions is the careful selection of appropriate crops, with potato and sweetpotato emerging as ideal choices for their adaptability and nutritional value. Beyond merely providing seeds, the projects focused on empowering local institutions and equipping communities with the necessary skills to harness the potential of these crops optimally. By enhancing seed systems and extension capacities within the targeted areas, the projects aimed to ensure sustainability and lasting impact.

Celebrating triumphs: The fruits of labor

The implementation of CIP-led interventions has borne fruit in establishing decentralized seed multiplication and distribution systems nationwide. The dedicated efforts of these initiatives have resulted in the production and supply of over 40 million sweetpotato cuttings and more than 500 tons of potato seed annually. As a testament to the impact of these interventions, farmers have achieved harvests two to three times higher than the national average for potato and sweetpotato crops. Such surplus food production has served as a vital lifeline for families, supporting a family of five for four to five months while ensuring adequate vitamin A intake for children under two.