Abstract:
The study was conducted with the aim of analysing food security at household level and the
impact of research technologies disseminated by MARC in Arsi Negele Woreda. Based on the
output of this study, potential research & development options that can address the problem
were identified.
The study revealed that 75%, 60% and 70% of the households in the highland, midland and
lowland respectively, are not food self-sufficient for more than 6 months during a year,
mainly because they sell grains after harvest to repay credit and to meet family expenses.
Ownership of oxen, family size and land area has significant influence on food selfsufficiency
and food security status. According to the calculation on food balance at woreda
level, there is enough food potentially available for households. The calculation at household
level however indicates that 40% and 75% of the households in midland and lowland
respectively are food insecure, and other 60% and 25% are relatively secure in food after
conducting some coping strategies, such as selling labour, charcoal, firewood, brewing, etc.
The problematique was studied in three dimensions — climatic risks (especially in the
lowland), changes in economic environment and population pressure. Grain production
especially in the lowland is inherently risky. Grain prices, declining soil fertility (especially in
the midland) and the risk of drought shows that the benefits of fertiliser application are
marginal. The continuing increase in population implies less cropping land per capita.
The scenario for future development of the woreda is likely to face four main driving forces:
population pressure, input (fertiliser) prices, grain (maize & wheat) prices and alternative
income generating opportunities. Two major strategies are identified for future development:
(1) Breadbasket strategy and (2) Income generating strategy.
Assessment of technologies disseminated by MARC sub-centre shows that the adoption of
most of the technologies is satisfactory. Suggestions are given for the urgent need of realigning
the priorities of the activities of MARC sub-centre in order to create a greater
positive impact on the problem situation.
