Agriculture in Ethiopia-Overview-Comments

Agriculture in Ethiopia
.
Agriculture in Ethiopia is the foundation of the country's economy, accounting for half of gross domestic product (GDP), 83.9% of exports, and 80% of total employment.
Ethiopia's agriculture is plagued by periodic drought, soil degradation caused by overgrazing, deforestation, high population density[citation needed], high levels of taxation and poor infrastructure (making it difficult and expensive to get goods to market). Yet agriculture is the country's most promising resource. A potential exists for self-sufficiency in grains and for export development in livestock, grains, vegetables, and fruits. As many as 4.6 million people need food assistance annually.
Agriculture accounts for 46.3% of the GDP, 83.9% of exports, and 80% of the labour force.[1] Many other economic activities depend on agriculture, including marketing, processing, and export of agricultural products. Production is overwhelmingly of a subsistence nature, and a large part of commodity exports are provided by the small agricultural cash-crop sector. Principal crops include coffee, pulses (e.g., beans), oilseeds, cereals, potatoes, sugarcane, and vegetables. Exports are almost entirely agricultural commodities, and coffee is the largest foreign exchange earner. Ethiopia is Africa's second biggest maize producer.[2] Ethiopia's livestock population is believed to be the largest in Africa, and in 2006/2007 livestock accounted for 10.6% of Ethiopia's export income, with leather and leather products making up 7.5% and live animals 3.1%.
Contents
[hide]
    * 1 Overview
    * 2 Land use
    * 3 Land reform
    * 4 Agricultural production
          o 4.1 Major cash crops
          o 4.2 Major staple crops
          o 4.3 Livestock
    * 5 Government marketing operations
    * 6 References
    * 7 See also
[edit] Overview
Agriculture accounted for 46.3% of GDP, 83.9% of exports, and 80% of the labor force in 2006/2007, compared to 44.9%, 76.9% and 80% in 2002/2003, and agriculture remains the Ethiopian economy's most important sector.[3] Ethiopia has great agricultural potential because of its vast areas of fertile land, diverse climate, generally adequate rainfall, and large labor pool. Despite this potential, however, Ethiopian agriculture has remained underdeveloped. Because of drought, which has repeatedly affected the country since the early 1970s, a poor economic base (low productivity, weak infrastructure, and low level of technology), and overpopulation, the agricultural sector has performed poorly. For instance, according to the World Bank between 1980 and 1987 agricultural production dropped at an annual rate of 2.1 percent, while the population grew at an annual rate of 2.4 percent. Consequently, the country faced a tragic famine that resulted in the death of nearly 1 million people from 1984 to 1986.[4]
During the imperial period, the development of the agricultural sector was retarded by a number of factors, including tenancy and land reform problems, the government's neglect of the agricultural sector (agriculture received less than 2 percent of budget allocations even though the vast majority of the population depended on agriculture), low productivity, and lack of technological development. Moreover, the emperor's inability to implement meaningful land reform perpetuated a system in which aristocrats and the church owned most of the farmland and in which most farmers were tenants who had to provide as much as 50% of their crops as rent. To make matters worse, during the 1972-74 drought and famine the imperial government refused to assist rural Ethiopians and tried to cover up the crisis by refusing international aid. As a result, up to 200,000 Ethiopians perished.[4]
Although the issue of land reform was not addressed until the Ethiopian Revolution in 1974, the government had tried to introduce programs to improve the condition of farmers. In 1971 the Ministry of Agriculture introduced the Minimum Package Program (MPP) to bring about economic and social changes. The MPP included credit for the purchase of items such as fertilizers, improved seeds, and pesticides; innovative extension services; the establishment of cooperatives; and the provision of infrastructure, mainly water supply and all-weather roads. The program, designed for rural development, was first introduced in a project called the Chilalo Agricultural Development Union. The program later facilitated the establishment of similar internationally supported and financed projects at Ada'a Chukala (just south of Addis Ababa), Welamo, and Humera. By 1974 the Ministry of Agriculture's Extension and Project Implementation Department had more than twenty-eight areas with more than 200 extension and marketing centers. Although the MPPs improved the agricultural productivity of farmers, particularly in the project areas, there were many problems associated with discrimination against small farmers (because of a restrictive credit system that favored big landowners) and tenant eviction.[4]
Imperial government policy permitting investors to import fertilizers, pesticides, tractors and combines, and (until 1973) fuel free of import duties encouraged the rapid expansion of large-scale commercial farming. As a result, agriculture continued to grow, albeit below the population growth rate. According to the World Bank, agricultural production increased at an average annual rate of 2.1 percent between 1965 and 1973, while population increased at an average annual rate of 2.6 percent during the same period.[4]
Agricultural productivity under the Derg continued to decline. According to the World Bank, agricultural production increased at an average annual rate of 0.6 percent between 1973 and 1980 but then decreased at an average annual rate of 2.1 percent between 1980 and 1987. During the same period (1973–87), population increased at an average annual rate of 2.6 percent (2.4 percent for 1980-87). The poor performance of agriculture was related to several factors, including drought; a government policy of controlling prices and the free movement of agricultural products from surplus to deficit areas; the unstable political climate; the dislocation of the rural community caused by resettlement, villagization, and conscription of young farmers to meet military obligations; land tenure difficulties and the problem of land fragmentation; the lack of resources such as farm equipment, better seeds, and fertilizers; and the overall low level of technology.[4]
President Mengistu's 1990 decision to allow free movement of goods, to lift price controls, and to provide farmers with security of tenure was designed to reverse the decline in Ethiopia's agricultural sector. There was much debate as to whether or not these reforms were genuine and how effectively they could be implemented. Nonetheless, agricultural output rose by an estimated 3 percent in 1990-91, almost certainly in response to the relaxation of government regulation. This modest increase, however, was not enough to offset a general decrease in GDP during the same period.[4]
[edit] Land use
Of Ethiopia's total land area of 1,221,480 square kilometers, the government estimated in the late 1980s that 15 percent was under cultivation and 51 percent was pasture. It was also estimated that over 60 percent of the cultivated area was cropland. Forestland, most of it in the southwestern part of the country, accounted for 4 percent of the total land area, according to the government. These figures varied from those provided by the World Bank, which estimated that cropland, pasture, and forestland accounted for 13%, 41%, and 25%, respectively, of the total land area in 1987.[4]
Inaccessibility, water shortages, and infestations of disease-causing insects, mainly mosquitoes, prevented the use of large parcels of potentially productive land. In Ethiopia's lowlands, for example, the presence of malaria kept farmers from settling in many areas.[4]
Most agricultural producers are subsistence farmers with small holdings, often broken into several plots. Most of these farmers lived in the Ethiopian Highlands, mainly at elevations of 1,500 to 3,000 meters. There are two predominant soil types in the highlands. The first, found in areas with relatively good drainage, consists of red-to-reddish-brown clayey loams that hold moisture and are well endowed with needed minerals, with the exception of phosphorus. These types of soils are found in much of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR). The second type consists of brownish-to-gray and black soils with a high clay content. These soils are found in both the northern and the southern highlands in areas with poor drainage. They are sticky when wet, hard when dry, and difficult to work. But with proper drainage and conditioning, these soils have excellent agricultural potential.[4] According to the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), in 2008 the average Ethiopian farmer holds 1.2 hectares of land, with 55.13% of them holding less than 1.0 hectare.[5]
The population in the lowland peripheries (below 1,500 meters) is nomadic, engaged mainly in livestock raising. Sandy desert soils cover much of the arid lowlands in the northeast and in the Ogaden of southeastern Ethiopia. Because of low rainfall, these soils have limited agricultural potential, except in some areas where rainfall is sufficient for the growth of natural forage at certain times of the year. These areas are used by pastoralists who move back and forth in the area following the availability of pasture for their animals.[4]
The plains and low foothills west of the highlands have sandy and gray-to-black clay soils. Where the topography permits, they are suitable for farming. The soils of the Great Rift Valley often are conducive to agriculture if water is available for irrigation. The Awash River basin supports many large-scale commercial farms and several irrigated small farms.[4]
Soil erosion has been one of the country's major problems. Over the centuries, deforestation, overgrazing, and practices such as cultivation of slopes not suited to agriculture have eroded the soil, a situation that worsened considerably during the 1970s and 1980s, especially in Eritrea, Tigray, and parts of Gondar and Wollo. In addition, the rugged topography of the highlands, the brief but extremely heavy rainfalls that characterize many areas, and centuries-old farming practices that do not include conservation measures have accelerated soil erosion in much of Ethiopia's highland areas. In the dry lowlands, persistent winds also contribute to soil erosion.[4]
During the imperial era, the government failed to implement widespread conservation measures, largely because the country's complex land tenure system stymied attempts to halt soil erosion and improve the land. After 1975 the revolutionary government used peasant associations to accelerate conservation work throughout rural areas. The 1977 famine also provided an impetus to promote conservation. The government mobilized farmers and organized "food for work" projects to build terraces and plant trees. During 1983-84 the Ministry of Agriculture used "food for work" projects to raise 65 million tree seedlings, plant 18,000 hectares of land, and terrace 9,500 hectares of land. Peasant associations used 361 nurseries to plant 11,000 hectares of land in community forest. Between 1976 and 1985, the government constructed 600,000 kilometers of agricultural embankments on cultivated land and 470,000 kilometers of hillside terraces, and it closed 80,000 hectares of steep slopes for regeneration. However, the removal of arable land for conservation projects has threatened the welfare of increasing numbers of rural poor. For this reason, some environmental experts maintain that large-scale conservation work in Ethiopia has been ineffective.[4]
As of 2008[update], some countries that import most of their food, such as Saudi Arabia, had begun planning the development of large tracts of arable land in developing countries such as Ethiopia.[6] This has raised fears of food being exported to more prosperous countries while the local population faces its own shortage.[6]
[edit] Land reform
Main article: Land reform in Ethiopia
Until the 1974 revolution, Ethiopia had a complex land tenure system, which some have described as feudal. In Wollo Province, for example, there were an estimated 111 types of land tenure. The existence of so many land tenure systems, coupled with the lack of reliable data, made it difficult to give a comprehensive assessment of landownership in Ethiopia, as well as depressed the ability of peasants to improve themselves.[4]
By the mid-1960s, many sectors of Ethiopian society favored land reform. University students led the land reform movement and campaigned against the government's reluctance to introduce land reform programs and the lack of commitment to integrated rural development. Following their rise to power, on March 4, 1975 the Derg proclaimed their land reform program. The government nationalized rural land without compensation, abolished tenancy, forbade the hiring of wage labor on private farms, ordered all commercial farms to remain under state control, and granted each peasant family so-called "possessing rights" to a plot of land not to exceed ten hectares. Tenant farmers in southern Ethiopia, where the average tenancy was as high as 55% and rural elites exploited farmers, welcomed the land reform. But in the northern highlands, where title to farm land was shared amongst members of descent groups, many people resisted land reform. Despite the Derg's efforts to reassure farmers that land reform would not affect them negatively, northerners remained suspicious of the new government's intentions. Their resistance to this change increased when Zemecha members campaigned for collectivization of land and oxen.[4]
Government attempts to implement land reform also created problems related to land fragmentation, insecurity of tenure, and shortages of farm inputs and tools. Peasant associations often were periodically compelled to redistribute land to accommodate young families or new households moving into their area. The process meant not only smaller farms but also the fragmentation of holdings, which were often scattered into small plots to give families land of comparable quality. Consequently, individual holdings were frequently far smaller than the permitted maximum allotment of ten hectares. A 1979 study showed that around Addis Ababa individual holdings ranged from 1.0 to 1.6 hectares and that about 48 percent of the parcels were less than one-fourth of a hectare in size. Another study, of Dejen awraja (subregion) in Gojjam, found that land fragmentation had been exacerbated since the revolution. For example, during the pre-reform period, sixty-one out of 200 farmer respondents owned three or four parcels of land; after the reform, the corresponding number was 135 farmers.[4]
In 1984 the founding congress of the Workers' Party of Ethiopia (WPE) emphasized the need for a coordinated strategy based on socialist principles to accelerate agricultural development. To implement this strategy, the government relied on peasant associations and rural development, cooperatives and state farms, resettlement and villagization, increased food production, and a new marketing policy.[4] Despite government efforts, farmers responded less than enthusiastically. While by 1988 a total of 3600 Service Cooperatives were serving 4.4 million households and almost 4000 Producer cooperatives comprising 302,600 households had been founded, in that year they represented only 5.5% of national cereal production.[7]
Another major component of the Derg's agricultural policy was the development of large-scale state farms. Of an estimated 750,000 hectares of private commercial farms in operation at the time of the 1975 land proclamation, 67,000 hectares were converted into State Farms that, beginning in 1979, were operated by a new Ministry of State Farms. By 1989, the area covered by the State Farms had grown to a total of 220,000 hectares. However, despite substantial investments and subsidies, State Farms provided only 4.2% of the cereal production in 1988/89.[7]
The primary motive for the expansion of state farms was the desire to reverse the drop in food production that has continued since the revolution. After the 1975 land reform, peasants began withholding grain from the market to drive up prices because government price-control measures had created shortages of consumer items. In addition, increased peasant consumption caused shortages of food items such as teff, wheat, corn, and other grains in urban areas. The problem became so serious that Mengistu lashed out against the peasantry on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of military rule in September 1978. Mengistu and his advisers believed that state farms would produce grain for urban areas, raw materials for domestic industry, and also increase production of cash crops such as coffee to generate badly needed foreign exchange. Accordingly, state farms received a large share of the country's resources for agriculture; from 1982 to 1990, this totaled about 43% of the government's agricultural investment. Despite the emphasis on state farms, state farm production accounted for only 6% of total agricultural output in 1987 (although meeting 65% of urban needs), leaving peasant farmers responsible for over 90% of production.[4]
The objectives of villagization included grouping scattered farming communities throughout the country into small village clusters, promoting rational land use, conserving resources, providing access to clean water and to health and education services, and strengthen security. However, opponents of villagization argued that the scheme was disruptive to agricultural production because the government moved many farmers during the planting and harvesting seasons. There also was concern that villagization could have a negative impact on fragile local resources, accelerate the spread of communicable diseases, and increase problems with plant pests and diseases. In early 1990, the government essentially abandoned villagization when it announced new economic policies that called for free-market reforms and a relaxation of centralized planning.[4]
[edit] Agricultural production
The effect of the Derg's land reform program on food production and its marketing and distribution policies were among two of the major controversies surrounding the revolution. Available data on crop production show that land reform and the various government rural programs had a minimal impact on increasing the food supply, as production levels displayed considerable fluctuations and low growth rates at best.[4] Since the fall of the Derg, there have been a number of initiatives to improve the food supply, which include research and training by the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research.[8]
[edit] Major cash crops
See also: Coffee production in Ethiopia
The most important cash crop in Ethiopia was coffee. During the 1970s, coffee exports accounted for 50-60% of the total value of all exports, although coffee's share dropped to 25% as a result of the economic dislocation following the 1974 revolution. By 1976 coffee exports had recovered, and in the five years ending in 1988/89, 44% of the coffee grown was exported, accounting for about 63% of the value of exports. Domestically, coffee contributed about 20% of the government's revenue. Approximately 25% of Ethiopia's population depended directly or indirectly on coffee for its livelihood.[4]
Ethiopia's coffee is almost exclusively of the arabica type, which grows best at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,000 meters. Coffee grows wild in many parts of the country, although most Ethiopian coffee is produced in the Oromia Region (63.7%) and in the SNNPR (34.4%), with lesser amounts in the Gambela Region and around the city of Dire Dawa. The amount of coffee inspected in the fiscal year 2007/2008 by the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) was 230,247 tons, a decrease of almost 3% from the previous fiscal year's total of 236,714 tons.[9]
About 98 percent of the coffee was produced by peasants on smallholdings of less than a hectare, and the remaining 2 percent was produced by state farms. Some estimates indicated that yields on peasant farms were higher than those on state farms. In the 1980s, as part of an effort to increase production and to improve the cultivation and harvesting of coffee, the government created the Ministry of Coffee and Tea Development (now the ECTA), which was responsible for production and marketing. The ten-year plan called for an increase in the size of state farms producing coffee from 14,000-15,000 hectares to 50,000 hectares by 1994. However, beginning in 1987 the decline in world coffee prices, reduced Ethiopia's foreign-exchange earnings. In early 1989, for example, the price of one kilogram/US$0.58; of coffee was by June it had dropped to US$0.32. Mengistu told the 1989 WPE party congress that at US$0.32 per kilogram, foreign-exchange earnings from coffee would have dropped by 240 million Birr, and government revenue would have been reduced by 140 million Birr by the end of 1989.[4]
Before the Ethiopian Revolution, pulses and oilseeds played an important role, second only to coffee, in the country's exports. In EFY 1974/75, pulses and oilseeds accounted for 34% of export earnings (about 163 million Birr), but this share declined to about 3% (about 30 million Birr) in EFY 1988/89. Three factors contributed to the decline in the relative importance of pulses and oilseeds. First, the recurring droughts had devastated the country's main areas where pulses and oilseeds were grown. Second, because peasants faced food shortages, they gave priority to cereal staples to sustain themselves. Finally, although the production cost of pulses and oilseeds continued to rise, the government's price control policy left virtually unchanged the official procurement price of these crops, thus substantially reducing net income from them.[4] In EFY 2007/2008, the CSA reported that 17,827,387.94 quintals of pulses were produced on 1,517,661.93 hectares, an increase from the 15,786,215.3 quintals produced on 1,379,045.77 hectares. In the same fiscal year, 707,059.29 hectares under cultivation produced 6,169,279.99 quintals of oilseeds, an increase from the previous year of 4,970,839.57 quintals grown on 741,790.98 hectares.[10] In 2006/2007 (the latest year available), exports of oilseeds accounted for 15.78% of export earnings (or million 187.4 Birr) and pulses 5.92% (or 70.3 million Birr).[11]
Ethiopia's flower industry has become a new source for export revenue. The industry began in 2004, when the government made an aggressive push for foreign investments by establishing a presence at major international floricultural events. Since then, export earnings from this sector have grown to about US$65 million in 2006/07 and are projected to double over the next few years. Ethiopia is well positioned because highland temperatures make it ideal for horticulture, the average wage rate is US$20 per month (compared to US$60 a month in India), the price of leased land is about US$13 per hectare, and the government has tremendously aided the entry of new businesses into this sector in recent years. As a result, a number of Indian entrepreneurs are relocating to Ethiopia to develop its thriving flower industry which has led to gains in market share at the expense of neighboring countries.[12]
Another new source for export revenue is the production of khat, an amphetamine-like stimulant which is consumed both inside Ethiopia and in adjacent countries, and which is considered a drug of abuse that can lead to mild to moderate psychological dependence. In 2006/2007 (the latest year available), exports of khat accounted for 7.8% of export earnings (or 92.8 million Birr).[11]
Cotton is grown throughout Ethiopia below elevations of about 1,400 meters. Because most of the lowlands lack adequate rainfall, cotton cultivation depends largely on irrigation. Before the revolution, large-scale commercial cotton plantations were developed in the Awash Valley and the Humera areas. The Tendaho Cotton Plantation in the lower Awash Valley was one of Ethiopia's largest cotton plantations. Rain-fed cotton also grew in Humera, Bilate, and Arba Minch. Since the revolution, most commercial cotton has been grown on irrigated state farms, mostly in the Awash Valley area. Production jumped from 43,500 tons in 1974/75 to 74,900 tons in 1984/85. Similarly, the area of cultivation increased from 22,600 hectares in 1974/75 to 33,900 hectares in 1984/85.[4]
[edit] Major staple crops
Ethiopia's major staple crops include a variety of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and coffee. Grains are the most important field crops and the chief element in the diet of most Ethiopians. The principal grains are teff, wheat, barley, corn, sorghum, and millet. The first three are primarily cool-weather crops cultivated at altitudes generally above 1,500 meters. Teff, indigenous to Ethiopia, furnishes the flour for enjera, an unleavened bread that is the principal form in which grain is consumed in the highlands and in urban centers throughout the country. Barley is grown mostly between 2,000 and 3,500 meters. A major subsistence crop, barley is used as food and in the production of tella, a locally produced beer.[4]
Sorghum, millet, and corn are cultivated mostly in warmer areas at lower altitudes along the country's western, southwestern, and eastern peripheries. Sorghum and millet, which are drought resistant, grow well at low elevations where rainfall is less reliable. Corn is grown chiefly between elevations of 1,500 and 2,200 meters and requires large amounts of rainfall to ensure good harvests. These three grains constitute the staple foods of a good part of the population and are major items in the diet of the nomads.[4]
Pulses are the second most important element in the national diet and a principal protein source. They are boiled, roasted, or included in a stew-like dish known as wot, which is sometimes a main dish and sometimes a supplementary food. Pulses, grown widely at all altitudes from sea level to about 3,000 meters, are more prevalent in the northern and central highlands. Pulses were a particularly important export item before the revolution.[4]
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church traditionally has forbidden consumption of animal fats on many days of the year. As a result, vegetable oils are widely used, and oilseed cultivation is an important agricultural activity. The most important oilseed is the indigenous Niger seed (neug), which is grown on 50 percent or more of the area devoted to oilseeds. Niger seed is found mostly in the northern and central highlands at elevations between 1,800 and 2,500 meters. Flaxseed, also indigenous, is cultivated in the same general area as Niger seed. The third most important oilseed is sesame, which grows at elevations from sea level to about 1,500 meters. In addition to its domestic use, sesame is also the principal export oilseed. Oilseeds of lesser significance include castor beans, rapeseed, peanuts, and safflower and sunflower seeds. Most oilseeds are raised by small-scale farmers, but sesame was also grown by large-scale commercial farms before the era of land reform and the nationalization of agribusiness.[4]
Ensete, known locally as false banana, is an important food source in Ethiopia's southern and southwestern highlands. It is cultivated principally by the Gurage, Sidama, and several other ethnic groups in the region. Resembling the banana but bearing an inedible fruit, the plant produces large quantities of starch in its underground rhizome and an above-ground stem that can reach a height of several meters. Ensete flour constitutes the staple food of the local people. Taro, yams, and sweet potatoes are commonly grown in the same region as the ensete.[4]
The consumption of vegetables and fruits is relatively limited, largely because of their high cost. Common vegetables include onions, peppers, squash, and a cabbage similar to kale. Demand for vegetables has stimulated truck farming around the main urban areas such as Addis Ababa and Asmera. Prior to the Revolution, urbanization increased the demand for fruit, leading to the establishment of citrus orchards in areas with access to irrigation in Shewa, Arsi, Hararghe, and Eritrea. The Mengistu regime encouraged fruit and vegetable production. Fresh fruits, including citrus and bananas, as well as fresh and frozen vegetables, became important export items, but their profitability was marginal. The Ethiopian Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Enterprise, which handled about 75 percent of Ethiopia's exports of fruits and vegetables in 1984-85, had to receive government subsidies because of losses.[4]
Ethiopia's demand for grain continued to increase because of population pressures, while supply remained short, largely because of drought and government agricultural policies, such as price controls, which adversely affected crop production. Food production had consistently declined throughout the 1980s. Consequently, Ethiopia became a net importer of grain worth about 243 million Birr annually from 1983/84 to 1987/88. The food deficit estimate for the 1985/89 period indicated that production averaged about 6 million tons while demand reached about 10 million tons, thus creating an annual deficit of roughly 4 million tons. Much of the food deficit was covered through food aid. Between 1984/85 and 1986/87, at the height of the drought, Ethiopia received more than 1.7 million tons of grain, about 14 percent of the total food aid for Africa. In addition, Ethiopia spent 341 million Birr on food purchases during the 1985-87 period.[4]
[edit] Livestock
Livestock production plays an important role in Ethiopia's economy. Estimates for 1987 indicated that livestock production contributed one-third of agriculture's share of GDP, or nearly 15 percent of total GDP. In the 2006/2007 EFY hides, skins and leather products made up 7.5% of the total export value; live animals accounted for 3.1% of the total value of exports during the same period.[11]
Although varying from region to region, the role of livestock in the Ethiopian economy was greater than the figures suggest. Almost the entire rural population was involved in some way with animal husbandry, whose role included the provision of draft power, food, cash, transportation, fuel, and, especially in pastoral areas, social prestige. In the highlands, oxen provided draft power in crop production. In pastoral areas, livestock formed the basis of the economy. Per capita meat consumption was high by developing countries' standards, an estimated thirteen kilograms annually. According to a 1987 estimate, beef accounted for about 51% of all meat consumption, followed by mutton and lamb (19%), poultry (15%), and goat (14%).[4]
Ethiopia's estimated livestock population is often said to be the largest in Africa.[13] It is estimated to number over 150 million in 2007/2008. Excluding the Afar and Somali Regions, there were approximately 47.5 million cattle, 26.1 million sheep, 21.7 million goats, 2.1 million horses and mules, 5.6 million donkeys, 1 million camels, and 39.6 million poultry. For the later two Regions, estimated numbers vary greatly between conventional and aerial censuses, but total less than 15% of the non-nomadic Regions. Though the raising of livestock always has been largely a subsistence activity,[14] intensive, factory farm facilities are gaining in popularity and are present in Addis Ababa and Debre Zeit, run by Ethiopian agribusiness ELFORA. [15]
Ethiopia has great potential for increased livestock production, both for local use and for export. However, expansion was constrained by inadequate nutrition, disease, a lack of support services such as extension services, insufficient data with which to plan improved services, and inadequate information on how to improve animal breeding, marketing, and processing. The high concentration of animals in the highlands, together with the fact that cattle are often kept for status, reduces the economic potential of Ethiopian livestock.[4]
While efforts are being made to intensify and industrialize the sector, questions arise as to how Ethiopia can develop and expand its livestock population when Ethiopians already struggle to gain access to good soil, grazing land, and water. [16] As Ethiopia increasingly experiences the effects of climate change, drought, and desertification, experts predict that "Ethiopia will have to open its markets to grain imports in order to keep up with the growing demand for meat, milk, and eggs."[17].
Both the imperial and the Marxist governments tried to improve livestock production by instituting programs such as free vaccination, well-digging, construction of feeder roads, and improvement of pastureland, largely through international organizations such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank. During Derg rule, veterinary stations were opened at Bahir Dar, Bedele, and Debre Zeyit to provide treatment and vaccination services.[4]
Cattle in Ethiopia are almost entirely of the zebu type and are poor sources of milk and meat. However, these cattle do relatively well under the traditional production system. About 70 percent of the cattle in 1987 were in the highlands, and the remaining 30 percent were kept by nomadic pastoralists in the lowland areas. Meat and milk yields are low and losses high, especially among calves and young stock. Contagious diseases and parasitic infections are major causes of death, factors that are exacerbated by malnutrition and starvation. Recurring drought takes a heavy toll on the animal population, although it is difficult to determine the extent of losses. Practically all animals are range-fed. During the rainy seasons, water and grass are generally plentiful, but with the onset of the dry season, forage is generally insufficient to keep animals nourished and able to resist disease.[18]
Most of Ethiopia's estimated 48 million sheep and goats are raised by small farmers who used them as a major source of meat and cash income. About three-quarters of the total sheep flock is in the highlands, whereas lowland pastoralists maintain about three-quarters of the goat herd. Both animals have high sales value in urban centers, particularly during holidays such as Easter and New Year's Day.[18]
Most of the estimated 7.5 million equines (horses, mules, and donkeys) are used to transport produce and other agricultural goods. Camels also play a key role as pack animals in areas below 1,500 meters in elevation. Additionally, camels provide pastoralists in those areas with milk and meat.[18]
Poultry farming is widely practiced in Ethiopia; almost every farmstead keeps some poultry for consumption and for cash sale. The highest concentration of poultry is in Shewa, in central Wollo, and in northwestern Tigray. Individual poultry farms supply eggs and meat to urban dwellers. By 1990 the state had begun to develop large poultry farms, mostly around Addis Ababa, to supply hotels and government institutions.[4] Multinational agribusinesses supply these industrial poultry farms with high yielding breeds, such as Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns. [19]
[edit] Government marketing operations
Private traders and the Agricultural Marketing Corporation (AMC), established in 1976, marketed Ethiopia's agricultural output. The AMC was a government agency whose objective was to influence the supply and price of crops. It purchased grain from peasant associations at fixed prices. The AMC set quotas of grain purchases to be delivered by peasant associations and cooperatives and also bought from private wholesalers, who were required to sell half of their purchases at predetermined prices. State farms sold their output to the AMC. Although the AMC had agents in all regions, it was particularly active in the major cereal producing regions, namely, Gojjam, Shewa, Arsi, and Gondar. In 1981/82, out of the AMC's purchases of 257,000 tons of grain, Gojjam accounted for 32 percent of the purchases, and Arsi, Shewa, and Gonder accounted for 23%, 22%, and 10%, respectively. The government's price controls and the AMC's operations had led to the development of different price systems at various levels. For instance, the 1984/85 official procurement price for 100 kilograms of teff was 42 birr at the farm level and 60 birr when the AMC purchased it from wholesalers. But the same quantity of teff retailed at 81 birr at food stores belonging to the urban dwellers' associations (kebeles) in Addis Ababa and sold for as much as 181 birr in the open market. Such wide price variations created food shortages because farmers as well as private merchants withheld crops to sell on the black market at higher prices.[4]2/9/2011
WikiLeaks releases Unclassified document about Land grab in Ethiopia
SUBJECT: FOREIGN INVESTORS GRAB UP MORE LAND IN ETHIOPIA
WikiLeaks
REF: 09 ADDIS ABABA 2900
ADDIS ABAB 00000247 001.2 OF 002

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Ethiopia's (GoE) recent high
profile land deals and shift in agricultural policy (reftel) have
attracted additional foreign investors to the agricultural and
tourism sectors. In January, Egyptian Prime Minster Dr. Ahmed Nazif
led a large delegation to Ethiopia to announce the National Bank of
Egypt's lease of 49,400 acres of land to grow cereals. Press
reports indicated that these cereals are headed for export to Egypt.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Djiboutian
President Ismael Omar Guelleh separately leased land plots to build
hotels outside of Addis Ababa, while Guelleh already leases a 7,400
acre farm that started exporting wheat back to Djibouti last year.
Finally, the South African private equity investment fund Agri-Vie
invested USD 3.5 million in a company that is growing and processing
various fruits to manufacture juice products. These juice products
will primarily target the European and the Middle Eastern markets as
reported by the company to Econoff. Despite the benefits of
increased foreign investment, political opposition members and
international critics remain skeptical about the GoE's motives and
the land policy's affect on poor, rural Ethiopians. End Summary.

Egyptians Eye Investment Opportunities
--------------------------------------
¶2. (U) The Egyptian Prime Minister, Dr. Ahmed Nazif, led the latest
charge of foreign agricultural investment during a January visit to
Ethiopia. Nazif, alongside his delegation of several cabinet
ministers and 26 agricultural companies, announced that the
state-owned National Bank of Egypt plans to invest USD 40 million in
the lease of 49,400 acres of land in the Afar region to grow
cereals. Press reports stated that these cereals would be exported
to Egypt despite the GoE's 2007 "temporary" export ban on all
cereals that has never been formally lifted. (Note: It appears
Saudi, Djiboutian, and now Egyptian investors have somehow bypassed this ban, while other investors informed Econoff that they have not been allowed to export cereal grains (reftel). End Note.) The bank is also poised to open an office in Ethiopia to serve existing and
new Egyptian projects and plans to offer credit of USD 14.6 million
to six Ethiopian banks according to local press reports. (Note: the
domestic banking sector is closed to foreign banks; however, other
foreign banks such as Germany's Commerzbank do have offices in
Ethiopia to facilitate relations with Ethiopian banks. It is
unclear how the National Bank of Egypt could offer credit in
Ethiopia in evident violation of banking and financial regulations.
End Note.) Beyond the focus on agriculture, Nazif signed a
memorandum of understanding with GoE Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to form an Ethio-Egypt Council of Commerce. Meles said during the
signing ceremony that relations between Ethiopia and Egypt had
evolved from distrust towards friendly cooperation. Other areas of
Egyptian business interest included livestock, drug manufacturing,
and hydroelectric power.
Former Nigerian President and Djiboutian President Also Invest
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶3. (U) Another foreign VIP seen around town and looking for land was
the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo
recently leased about five acres of land near Debrezeit, Oromia
region (about 50 kilometers east of Addis Ababa) to develop a hotel
and tourist destination. In addition, current Djiboutian President
Ismael Omar Guelleh recently acquired the right to develop about 2.5
acres of lakeside land in Debrezeit to build a hotel. This
acquisition added to the 7,400 acres of farmland Guelleh leased last
year in Bale, Oromia region. According to post's conversations with
local agricultural business investors and press reports, this farm
has already harvested wheat and other cereals for export to
Djibouti.
Private Equity Fund Invests in Fruit Juice Farm
--------------------------------------------- --

ADDIS ABAB 00000247 002.2 OF 002

¶4. (U) South African private equity fund Agri-Vie has also chosen to
invest in Ethiopia's agricultural sector. The fund invested USD 3.5
million in africaJUICE, a company already in the process of
establishing fruit production and processing operations when Econoff
visited its 3,000 acre operation last year. The Dutch and British
company representatives reported to Econoff that it plans to target
the juice markets in Europe and the Middle East. The company
purchased this farm (not the land) from the GoE and converted it to
produce yellow passion fruit, mango, and papaya.
Critics Concerned About Rural Population
----------------------------------------
¶5. (U) As more reports of foreign land leases in Ethiopia surface,
the GoE continues to insist local farmers will not be adversely
affected by its land deals. Regarding agricultural investment, the
GoE views foreign investor involvement as key to the country's move
from subsistence to commercial farming (reftel). On top of any
potential damage to local farmers, international and political
opposition party critics cite concerns over exporting food from a
country that relies so heavily on imported food aid and the
perceived low wages that foreign investors pay its employees.
Merara Gudina, Chairman of the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity
Forum (a coalition of political opposition parties), accused the GoE
of using its land "giveaway" policy to hold on to power and to buy
diplomatic support. U.S.-based GoE opposition movement Ginbot 7
stated in a January editorial that the GoE needs to change its
communist land policy and empower local farmers, who have the
potential to produce a marketable surplus. The editorial further
noted that any land deal that has not been agreed to by the
Ethiopian people will not be honored by future elected governments.

Comment
-------
¶6. (SBU) The GoE clearly needed to shift its agricultural policy in
order to make effective use of its vast amounts of fertile land, and
the agricultural policy mix being implemented is viewed by most
experts as a step in the right direction. However, that evolving
policy is a long way from proving its worth as a vehicle for
achieving the GoE's stated goals of modernizing the sector,
generating foreign exchange reserves, and increasing the domestic
food supply. End Comment.
PermalinkPermalink74 comments »
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74 comments
Comment from: Dream On [Visitor]
To Eritreans
Those rich Eritreans by now would have their own fertile land in Ethiopia....You are refugees on a fertile land. Can you see what is happening under your eyes? You will never own it! We prefer to give it to the Chinese, Indians, Nigerians...You will never never never get it & own it!!
Eat your SAWA desert sand.

The GoE clearly needed to shift its agricultural policy in order to make effective use of its vast amounts of fertile land, and the agricultural policy mix being implemented is viewed by most experts as a step in the right direction.
============
I love it!!
The Disapora is now officialy dead and buried!!
01/30/11 @ 01:50
Comment from: alex [Visitor]
Hey where is the anger, where is the outrage? Ethiopians. I think the best peopel in Ethiopian have come and gone in the past generation. This generation is all about, Women or men, Chat mirkanna, alchohole and ego. 80 million of you are officially dead alive. The land belongs to you and your grand children have been sold by the etnic federalist crime minester Z..we. Where is the anger peopl? where is it? Look at the egyptians, Tunisians and Yemen. Please take the momentum and knock down your 20 years tiren.
01/30/11 @ 02:51
Comment from: Ali [Visitor]
*****
The current land policy under-way in Ethiopia signifies the regime's desperate attempt to cling on to power and avoid by a means necessary to empower the people of Ethiopia- in fear of the economic prosperity of the latter.
It is right time for all Ethiopian related website to create a forum where the Ethiopian Activist can steer the inevitable revolution under way in Ethiopia.
To facilitate this, I am requesting Nazereth.com and other website to immediately print any comment, suggestion, blog, or any other writing. For example, Nazereth.com takes 1-2 days to print a comment on its post column. It is understandable why this website do this. it is just to edit some offensive comment. However, this can be done after, it allows the writing to be appeared on the blog.
censorship before print is against all the spirit of the freedom of speech. any world major website make your comment appear in their blog immediately and disallow it if it contain offensive material
01/30/11 @ 03:00
Comment from: Ali [Visitor]
Let us steer the current political, economic and social transformation underway in Ethiopia. It is time to make sure that the course of the history does not take its own turn. We are under duty to shape and create our future.
Ethiopia is a country that composes of many nation/nationalities. In the past, the effort made to address these has met by revisionist interest to carry out their hidden agenda. A case in point is the Derge Regime that hijacked the popular uprising of Studnet in the 70s and the people struggle in the 80s which was again used by the current regime to implement its divisiveness agenda of ethnic. I do have any objection if people are organised themselves by their ethnic origin. But it is totally unacceptable when the regime used this to carry out its hidden agenda of dividing the people to just fulfil it poor policies.
01/30/11 @ 03:10
Comment from: alex [Visitor]
Alex,
you smell like Eritrean. listen most ethiopians know that the opposition works with Eritrea. lets examine the opposition seriously. EPPF is in Eritrea, Ginbot 7 based in Eritrea, the Diaspora those that visited ethiopia see the opportunity they can have with their doller so they keep quiet about politics and invest, the poor in ethiopia are trying to make it and not worried about politics, this is reality i just came from Ethiopia, but there is a common thinking, which is everyone dis-trust Eritrea (shabia) and their people for not speaking about their own oppressor (Assayas Afuwora) and pretending that everything is ok. when asked about how eritrea is most eritreans say, eritrea is number one and we are better than you ethiopians, who are africans, we are most advance becuse we have been colonized, this really upsets ethiopians and most africans, and also Eritrea has joined the Arab league there for against ethiopia. so anything that originates from Eritrea is seen with suspicious, this is what i got from speaking with fellow avarage ethiopians in the street, i wanted to see myself what most people think. So the Eritrean road is a dead end road, most ethiopians also despise Eritreans and think any relationship with eritreans will bring eritreans to ethiopia in drove and they will demand they be treated better than ethiopians like pre 1991 when eritrea became the second biggest coffee exporter, more than Ethiopia when not one coffee tree exist in Eritrea. i am being honest with you. most ethiopians specially the young support the EPRDF regime as the least evil of all politician groups. Believe me when i tell you if you are Eritrean or Amiche who desire one day to return to your glory days in addis forget about it, it is better to worry about your own country then try to remove this government and install pro eritrean government, the hate is very deep now, more than i expected. the Oromos the Amaras, the ogadeans, gambellas, snnp all have one thing in common which suprised me they all do not like anything Eritrean, but disagree in many things, i am just being truly honest so you won't waste your time. the only way i see the melese regime could change is if an opposition who comes on a card of unity and progress with a young face will win over the people beside that old (shemagella) opposition that we see now are not liked more than eprdf trust me, be ewnat new yemilhe, i have no political aganda just speaking the truth.
01/30/11 @ 03:13
Comment from: Ali [Visitor]
*****
My message is to all people who hails from Oromos, Amharas, Somalis, Gurages, Sidamas and many nation/nationalities in Ethiopia. In the last 20 years or the whole Ethiopian history, different regimes has come and gone without address the real concern of the people.
There is no doubt that all regimes that occurred in Ethiopia made themselves busy with protecting their position. The current regime is not different. It is trying to avoid the current political change that is sweeping in the whole Northern African countries and Middle East. Dictators come and go but the nation will be there and it is time we should come together and design a plan B strategy.
The inevitability of downfall of Meles regime is unquestionable. The authoritarian regimes of Tunisia and Egypt are on the way out or already fell down. The current regime fate will not be different than them. Diaspora in the international community should come together and form a recognised international committee to steer the internal struggle in the country. I do not think simple sitting and watching the events unfolding in Ethiopia is not good for us and the country. we have responsibility to act now.
01/30/11 @ 03:23
Comment from: Ali [Visitor]
*****
Meles is selling our land to foreigners
and those whom he considers the saviour. In Ethiopia law are made to affect only a targeted group- political dissidents. Meles does not object to you if even violate the criminal code and kill people as long as you support him. This is what is happening in Somali Regional State. An illiterate depot called Abdi Mohamed Omar is killing the people of the region indiscriminately. His boss, Mr. Meles, accepts these killing with blessing. Abdi (Iley)enjoys cordial relationship with Meles. This is evident by the photographic opportunity posted all over the weyane and Iley's websites. I do not understand why Meles choose to favour a killer. is he a sadist who enjoys by the killing, murder, torture, and imprisonment of the mas. I do not think this is not the reason why all opposition parties and fronts fought against the Derge regime.
01/30/11 @ 03:41
Comment from: BOW [Visitor]
rise up for your land. of the most important struggle against eprdf should be the land grab. they are selling our land for 99 years. why 99 years? think about it. we need to make our voice heard.
01/30/11 @ 04:05
Comment from: one [Visitor]
THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN REGARDS TO ALL OPPOSITIONS ARE THEY ARE TOO OLD MAN FOR A COUNTRY WHERE 92% OF THE POPULATION IS UNDER 35 YEARS OLD. 3% OF POPULATION IS OVER 50 YEARS OLD. AND WHERE 100% OF THE OPPOSITION ARE 60 YEARS OLD. ALMARIAM IS 60+, DR. BERHANU IS 60+, SHAWALE AND DR. PETROS (I CALL HIM CRUSTY THE CLOWN FROM SIMPSONS) THEY LOOK LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THEY LOOK LIKE MUMMIES. THE OPPOSITION NEEDS YOUNG FACE WITH 85% UNDER 35 TO RELATE TO YOUNG ETHIOPIANS LIKE MYSELF WHO IS 25 YEARS OLD. I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR ANY OF THE OPPOSITION EXCEPT FOR BURTUKAN BUT SHE GAVE UP. WHAT IF I VOTE FOR ONE OF THEM AND THEY HAVE A HEART ATTACK AND DIE THEN WHAT, PLUS LEFASUBEN NEW YEAROGETE FESE OR LEAD ME. COME ON MAN. THE OPPOSITION HAS NO BRIAN. THE CHANGE IN ETHIOPIA CAN ONLY COME FROM YOUNG PEOPLE BELIEVE ME, AND THE YOUNG NOW ARE DOING A FEW THINGS, THEY ARE CHEWING CHAT MERKANA ALL DAY EVERY DAY 30%, ADDICTED TO EUROPIAN CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE 30%, GOING TO SCHOOL TO BETTER THEMSELVES 30%, WORKING MINIMAL JOB TO SHOW OFF AND GET FEW GIRLS AND PARTY 10%, INTERESTED IN POLITICS LESS THAN 1%. GAME OVER.
01/30/11 @ 04:07
Comment from: ALPHA and OMEGA [Visitor]
GRAB what u want now! The bottom line is once we send the sell out TEGRES where they belongs , all FERNJI,ARABS and CIA agent SELATOS will be toosed out like meatlsess bone.
01/30/11 @ 04:21
Comment from: Ali [Visitor]
*****
What we can learn from classic and modern revolutions that occurred in the world in the last three centuries. starting from the French revolution in the eighteenth century to the current uprising in the Northern part of Africa and Middle East are a clear reminder of that susceptibility of oppressive regimes. Regardless of their military and economic power, they could be challenged by the will of the people even with bare hand. 80 million people descending on the palace of the Sidis Kilo would be overwhelmed by only the sheer number. The repressive military machinery built to effect this would disintegrate by this mere number. History has shown us that no oppressive regime would survive if the will of the people have no tolerance for it. That is what happened in Tunisia. It is also happening in Egypt as we speak now. There is no reason why it would not next happen in Ethiopia.
bringing change to Ethiopia requires a strong resolve, we must work in coordinate way. This is the time to come together and see an alternative to the current deadlock in Ethiopian politics. The role of diaspora community is vital. We should not be diverted by the Meles's regime desperate attempt to buy time and talking about diaspora community contribution to the country.
We should use our power. we have different mode of power. one I prefer is the economic power. The diaspora send a massive amount of money to Ethiopia every year. The current government is starved of foreign currency at moment. If we sustain to boycott sending money to Ethiopia for at least six months, this government will come crumpling down.This also includes any money we send for investment.
The principle of non-violence is not cooperating with oppressive regime as long as it does not heed to the will of the people. Economy has power. As the brain behind the non-violence movement- Mahathama Gandi- clearly pointed out shunning any economy activity carry out by this regime is a prime target. I am advising you not to use any corporation which has a major trade relation with the regime business conglomerate. These businesses are wegagan bank, mega company, and other corporations.
Let us devise an economic block to stimulate the current change underway in Ethiopia. No money sent to Ethiopia for at least six months in order to facilitate the change.This money should also include investment money. But exception could be made to essential remittance sent to alleviate severe hardship, life saving money, for example money sent to purchase food, life saving health medication so on.
This is the new front the diaspora community should look at as an alternative to arm struggle to bring change in Ethiopia. We should also send a clear message to those who are engaged in land grab. Any land grab made within the current regime's tenure should be made void and invalid as soon as a representative government is set up in Ethiopia.
The Arabs, Djibouti, Sudanese, Chinese and other nations should be aware of the danger of their money lost if they irresponsibly engaged in misappropriating the ordinary peasants of Ethiopia their land. I do not know why people fail to learn from history. in the last time, the people revolution has achieved by confiscating the wrongly appropriated assets. This will be the fate for those who disregard the will of the people. We are coming and working day and night to bring change in Ethiopia.

01/30/11 @ 04:25
Comment from: one [Visitor]
THE OPPOSITION IS ALSO TOO DEPENDENT ON ERITREAN AND IS SEEN AS ERITREAN PUPPETS BY AVERAGE ETHIOPIAN. THIS DOES NOT HELP THE OPPOSITION BECAUSE ETHIOPIANS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SHARING WHAT THEY HAVE WITH ERITREANS. ERITREA OR SHABIA IS SEEN AS THE ENEMY OF ETHIOPIA AND IS SUPPORTED BY EGYPT WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ENEMY OF ETHIOPIA. THIS WILL NEVER CHANGE UNLESS THE NILE GET UP AND WALK OUT OF ETHIOPIA OR EGYPT, FOR ETHIOPIA AND EGYPT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS THE NILE HAS TO CHOOSE WHICH COUNTRY IT SHOULD ONLY EXIST...LOL BECAUSE AS LONG AS THE NILE IS IN BOTH COUNTRY THEY WILL ALWAYS BE ENEMIES AND ERITREA HAS CHOOSEN TO BE WITH EGYPT WHICH IS THE ENEMY OF ETHIOPIA SO IT MAKES ERITREA THE ENEMY OF ETHIOPIA ALSO....LMAOF. AS LONG AS THE OPPOSITION DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THEY NEED A YOUNG FACE AND DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM ERITREAN, THEY WILL NEVER GET ANY SUPPORT. 85% OF ETHIOPIANS ARE UNDER 35 YEARS OLD AND 76% ARE UNDER 30 YEARS OLD AND DO NOT KNOW ERITREA WAS ONCE PART OF ETHIOPIA, THEY HAVE BEEN THOUGHT AND ASSUME ERITREA IS ETHIOPIA NEIGHBOR AND ENEMY OF ETHIOPIA, AND PART OF ARAB LEAGUE, I DON'T THINK THE OPPOSITION DO THEIR HOMEWORK ABO. THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS IN ORDER TO BE AFFECTIVE. LETS EXAMINE THE OPPOSITION ONE BY ONE. OLF AND ONLF DON'T HAVE ANY SUPPORT BY ETHIOPIANS EXCEPT A FEW FROM THEIR OWN ETHNIC GROUPS, G7, EPPEF AND ALL AHMARA OPPOSITION, THEY WANT TO GET ASSAB BACK BUT WORK WITH ERITREANS SO THAT IS SEEN WITH SUSPICIOUS KNOWING SHABIA WILL NEVER GIVE UP ASSAB. KINIJIT LOST QUEEN BURTUKAN SO IT IS DEAD. DR. BERHANU IS SEEN AS A "COWARD, CHEESE BURGER WITH FRIES EATING FAT ASS" WHO BETRAYED ETHIOPIAS AND RAN TO AMERICA. ELIAS, TAMAGNE AND ETHIOPIA REVIEW CHEERLEADERS ARE SEEN AS ERITREAN PUPPETS. SO TELL ME WHAT OPPOSITION HAS THE HEART OF ETHIOPIANS BESIDE BERTUKAN. BY THE WAY I DON'T SUPPORT BURTUKAN BECAUSE SHE IS NOT READY TO LEAD ETHIOPIA BUT WAS THE ONLY CHALLENGE TO MELESE AND HE KNEW IT, BUT HE OUTSMARTED HER. THE RESET ARE SEEN AS POWER HUNGRY DIASPORA AND ARE HATED IN ETHIOPIA BELIEVE ME I JUST CAME FROM ADDIS BY THE WAY IS GREAT AND I HAD THE BEST TIME, AND SPOKE TO PEOPLE TO SEE WHAT THE ATMOSPHERE IS LIKE. OPPOSITION IS DEAD AND PEOPLE ARE JUST WORRIED ABOUT MONEY AND DO NOT TRUST EACH OTHER, THE MOST I SAW THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE ARE TOLD IN AMERICA IS PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO GET ALONG NO MATTER WHAT ETHNIC THEY ARE. THAT WAS FUNNY I HAD LUNCH WITH A GAMBELLA, OROMO, AHMARA , TIGRAY AND THEY ALL LAUGHED WHEN I TOLD THEM THE DIASPORA THINK THEY DON'T GET A LONG. THEY SAID THEIR PUTTING THEIR MONEY TOGETHER TO OPEN UP A IMPORT EXPORT COMPANY AND ALL THEY WERE INTERESTED IN WAS IF I KNOW A MARKET IN AMERICA THEY CAN EXPORT TOO AND WERE NOT INTERESTED IN POLITICS AT ALL, AND BRUSHED ME OFF WHEN I BRING UP POLITICS AND THEY KEEP ASKING ME TO SEE IF A MARKET EXIST AND IF I CAN BUY THEM SIM CARD AND SEND THEM LAPTOP WHEN I GET TO AMERICA. THEY ALL TALK ABOUT MONEY AND BUSINESS AND NO POLITICS. POLITICS IS DEAD IN ETHIOPIA PEOPLE, EVERY ONE WANTS BUSINESS AND MONEY.
01/30/11 @ 04:32
Comment from: Abdisaa agaa [Visitor]
alex, the ethiopian
let me sum-up your honest description of how most ethiopians feel about Eritreans.
* A 'friendly' Eritrea is more dangerous to Ethiopia than a hostile one. in other words,
* The day Eritreans make peace with Eritrea is the beginning of the end for Ethiopia.
01/30/11 @ 04:43
Comment from: abdisaa agaa [Visitor]
sorry the second sentence should read,
* The day Eritreans make peace with Ethiopia will be the beginning of the end for Ethiopia.
01/30/11 @ 04:45
Comment from: Ali [Visitor]
The writer calling himself/herself 'one' failed to understand that the idea of big society is not a part but a whole components of the society. The children, young, the adolescents, the adults, the middle aged and the retired section of the society have active roles to play in the political life of Ethiopia. Mr. one is 'Ageist' ( have prejudice against old people) or he/she does not know what is talking about. This is the clear shortcoming. Beyond that evidence from other countries clearly corraborate the fact that people in their 60s or 70s can play constructive roles in their countries political roles. Maturity comes with wisdom. We should cherish people who have accumulated a resourceful experiences in their lives and can help us build a country that accept the opinions everyone.
Let us start by blank page and build a nation that protect and give a chance to voice of people who have never been given the opportunity to represent their side of the story. The so called 'one' is trying to convince us that we should follow his bigoted ideology. As a member of a civilised world I do not buy to this type of bigoted thinking. Rather go and learn how to build a sustainable community without affecting any one.
or
01/30/11 @ 04:50
Comment from: afarman [Visitor]
Ethiopia is in the right move with regards to its investment policy. Millions of hectares of land has been idle for centuries, wikileaks reported that land is being sold in Ethiopia, it seems that who ever sent the cable seems to have lack of understanding about the land policy in ethiopia, the land is leased to foreign investors for a limited period of time, its not sold, according to our constituttion land is owned by the public and cant be sold.
Right now Ethiopia has become the biggest economy in East Africa, its the third fastest economy in the world, who thought Ethiopia will develop in such a pace. The EPRDF has transformed our economy from being bunkrupt in 1991 to being a vibrant and fastest growing economy in the world. All this is achieved as a result of conducive environment created by the Government, Ethiopia has an investment friendly policy, the flow of FDI will continue for years to come and we will soon be a middle income country.
The opposition groups hosted by Eritrea and the toxic diaspora will continue to shade their crocodile tears, we should all join hands and protect the peace and stability from ant-peace elements. They have now started to dream of colour revolutions, rose,orange,jasmine, etc, Our government should have a zero tolerance policy to those who intend to import chaos and mysery in our country. These evils want to see the image of ethiopia and its rulling party destroyed, they wouldnt leave any stone unturned to achieve their goals. to that effect they may use to use the democratic atmosphere in our country to promote hate and prejudice.
Together we can defeat these forces of evil in the manner we destroyed their spiritual mentor Mengistu and its regime.
Our support to the EPRDF will continue, together we will lift ethiopia out of poverty.
01/30/11 @ 05:03
Comment from: afarman [Visitor]
Ethiopians and foreigners are all welcome to invest in the agricultural sector. The land which is leased to foreigners was not used by farmers, its a land which was not used for centuries. If Ethiopia has to develop we need to make use of our resources, our government is now using our rivers and huge amount of unused land. The building of hydroelectric plants, irrigation, and commercial farms will definetly transform ethiopian economy.
Why are some people shading crocodile tears in the name of ethiopian land? I don really understand it, the only reason why they oppose such move by our government is clear, the opposition seems to think that they should oppose evry thing done by the rulling government. sensless opposition which doesnt take ethiopia's national interest is doomed to fail, thats one of the reasons the oppositon groups lost support on various occasions, ethiopians have lost hope in the opposition groups.
As an Ethiopian I support the flow foreign direct Investment to Ethiopia.
Its as a result of FDI and expansion of services, increase of agricultural out puts and beginning of industrialisation our country begin to develop.
01/30/11 @ 05:05
Comment from: afarman [Visitor]
The Investment will help creat jobs for tens of thousands of people. It will boost government revenue throu tax, The foreign currency and money collected will inturn help to expand infrastructures and services for the country.
01/30/11 @ 05:11
Comment from: afarman [Visitor]
Ethiopia is in the right move with regards to its investment policy. Millions of hectares of land has been idle for centuries, wikileaks reported that land is being sold in Ethiopia, it seems that who ever sent the cable seems to have lack of understanding about the land policy in ethiopia, the land is leased to foreign investors for a limited period of time, its not sold, according to our constituttion land is owned by the public and cant be sold.
The Investment will help creat jobs for tens of thousands of people. It will boost government revenue through tax, the foreign currency obtained from export of agricultural products will help expand services and infrastructures in the country.
Ethiopians and foreigners are all welcome to invest in the agricultural sector. The land which is leased to foreigners was not used by farmers, its a land which was not used for centuries. If Ethiopia has to develop we need to make use of our resources, our government is now using our rivers and huge amount of unused land. The building of hydroelectric plants, irrigation, and commercial farms will definetly transform ethiopian economy.
Why are some people shading crocodile tears in the name of ethiopian land? I don really understand it, the only reason why they oppose such move by our government is clear, the opposition seems to think that they should oppose evry thing done by the rulling government. sensless opposition which doesnt take ethiopia's national interest is doomed to fail, thats one of the reasons the oppositon groups lost support on various occasions, ethiopians have lost hope in the opposition groups.
As an Ethiopian I support the flow foreign direct Investment (FDI) to Ethiopia.
Its as a result of FDI and expansion of services, increase of agricultural out puts and beginning of industrialisation our country begin to develop.
Right now Ethiopia has become the biggest economy in East Africa, its the third fastest economy in the world, who thought Ethiopia will develop in such a pace. The EPRDF has transformed our economy from being bunkrupt in 1991 to being a vibrant and fastest growing economy in the world. All this is achieved as a result of conducive environment created by the Government, Ethiopia has an investment friendly policy, the flow of FDI will continue for years to come and we will soon be a middle income country.
The opposition groups hosted by Eritrea and the toxic diaspora will continue to shade their crocodile tears, we should all join hands and protect the peace and stability from ant-peace elements. They have now started to dream of colour revolutions, rose,orange,jasmine, etc, Our government should have a zero tolerance policy to those who intend to import chaos and mysery in our country. These evils want to see the image of ethiopia and its rulling party destroyed, they wouldnt leave any stone unturned to achieve their goals. to that effect they may use to use the democratic atmosphere in our country to promote hate and prejudice.
Together we can defeat these forces of evil in the manner we destroyed their spiritual mentor Mengistu and its regime.
Our support to the EPRDF will continue, together we will lift ethiopia out of poverty.
01/30/11 @ 05:14
Comment from: Sodo [Visitor]
Fellow Ethiopian!!!
Is there anything more humiliating for the real Ethiopian than being manhandled by a Little malnourished getata Tgre?
01/30/11 @ 08:06
Comment from: Sodo [Visitor]
Did you know that Tgres are complaining that Banda Zenawi is not doing more for them?
01/30/11 @ 08:14
Comment from: sentayehu1221 [Visitor]
*****
afarman,
nobody from your thieves regime ask for public consultation regarding the investment in our country. your thieves regime fabricated these colored copies investors.
all the money paid by your foriegn costumer pocketed by your thieves regime while millions of Ethiopians died in hunger.
FUCK YOU! afarman!
01/30/11 @ 08:49
Comment from: Wedi Ere [Visitor]
hey ! Land locked and now brain locked people why don't you let Eritrea alone.You have so many problem in your country,however we Eritreans have one ..we are not divided along ethnic, religion, territories etc.We need a democratical eritrea which one day we will get it..your one day is so far no one could see this one day. I'm sure , even one day if snow fall in Ethiopia you would blame for that Eritrea like the weak Arabs, blame Israel for their weakness.Soon, we will be the first country in the black continent who can feed our selves with out the help of others.We will bulid a country which can not be overthrown with a dozen of French legion like some African countries, a country never get order from Washington , London or Paris .A generation full of proud and vision.Our Gold and oil will be for the benefit of our people not for greddy business men from the west, TIme will show us till then your hate and jelous will kill you ..you may not see our achievment
01/30/11 @ 09:34
Comment from: Walta [Visitor]
FYI, does anyone knows that Melese is half Hamasene and half Gojame. Zenawi Asrese is half Hamasene and half Gogame even his grandfather was half Hamasene and Gojame as well. Melese grew up in Adwa and went to Nigist Saba elementry school and went to Addis to Wingate School, but he don't have link with being from Adwa.
01/30/11 @ 09:39
Comment from: Death to Weyane [Visitor]
*****
Good comment Alex!
01/30/11 @ 09:42
Comment from: Agamino [Visitor] Email
Ali ...
shabia or neftegna? actually it does not matter.

wake up.
Do not just keep dreaming.
To get some thing you need to work hard not Dreaming/hallucinating.
sint kebatari ale!
01/30/11 @ 10:02
Comment from: Next call [Visitor]
According to various resources ( CIA world Facts etc) only 10 to 15% of ethiopian land is actually being cultivated. As a matter of fact about 40 percent of ethiopia's land is used for cattle grazing. For general information, the total land of the Nation is close to a million square killo meter. Out of which about 100000 sq km comprises of water. This means about as much land as filled by water is utilized in growing actual food . ( source 2011 CIA World Fact). we utilize about as much land as is under water for growing cereals. Something is wrong here. In countries like Israel so called ' dry agriculture' uses water from the atmosphere and the plants. The problem with Ethiopia is that no serious investor will risk his money to invest in such volatile places like Gambela or Benishagul where there is numerous logisitical problems. As most of the land being given away is next to South Sudan where there has been insurrection costing millions of lives, there is no gurantee for any investor that he will recoup his investment let alone profit from it. So, if the Ethiopian govt is doing its utmost to lease land at a very low cost, i dont blame it. The investors are taking too many risks investing in heavilly armed region of the Coutnry. The remotness of the region is another factor in determining the lease value of the land too. As for the United States, they have been aware of our agro potential for decades. Rumors have it that some of the most productive cereal production are the result of american research in Ethiopia. They considered us a competition and the source of their vital seed bank and they chose to satisfy the demands of the Midwestern Farmers to furbish us with emergency food aid than give us tope notch seed from Monsanto, Piooneer Archer Midlands at a fraction of the cost.Now the Inidans have come to invest their billions, they are shedding crocodile tears. Let the Nigerian ex President buy the same acreage the british embasssy issitting in the middle of Addis. This land is meant for hotel and tourism and i see no problem. Having the Djibouti President on our side by giving him some land is ok with me too for it is not that big. Speaking about land, the US govt will give any immigrant land in South Dakota or North Dakota free of charge. Folks investing in Ethiopian Low lands might have good opportunity but also be exposed to Malaria. Save for the arctic chill, farmers in the Dakota might even be subject to the massive farm subisidy which the the US gives to its farmers, no question asked. Ethiopian farmers, as is written all over, only utilize as much land as is filled by fresh water (lakes and rivers). Is there something wrong with those wikleaking and trying to turn the world upside down since Mr Obama took helm at the White House? thanks to these racists who are beserk at the fact that a black man is actually leading the Nation, all sort of leaks are popping up. It is my sincere belief that Wikilieak is nothing but a smear campaign to discredit the White House with a Black Man in charge. I cannt imagine that so much classiffied information when there sre so many ways of incripting and deciphering are being released day in and day out . I am more inclined to believe that they do have coded message or ulterior motif ie turn the World upside down and blame it on you know who.
There is problem with the pricing of the land lease in Ethiopia, no doubt. But what is the alternative? letting the land sit idle for another hundreds of years? at least the major company undertaking investment in Gambela to the tune of 300000 hectares is the same one which is the biggest supplier of fresh cut flowers. Let them develop the land, and we will see how far their customers will feel when they find out that the roses they give their beloved were produced by those who were growing cereals and shipping it elsewhere while the indigenous Ethiopians were going hungry. I guarantee you Khartouri, is in for a big surprise if it ever were to act in such irresponsible manner. ( i have talked to a couple of marketing pros about this and trust me image is very important and a simple boycott can bankrupt the company). This latest wikleak is just beginning for according to published reports the Mad Man Assange has only released 1% of this combustible material. We shouldn be ready for more reckless comments by irresponsible diplomats ( i will think most are fired or even jailed)/ Loose lips sink ships!
01/30/11 @ 10:33
Comment from: Thee X [Visitor]
The scarcity of resource and row materials in europe created the colonialzem of most African ppl . Just like the past world I'd looking for more resource to feed there own ppl . Climate change & and greedy 1st worlds are destroying ther enviroments and start looking for a place to farm to Feed there own all over the 3 rd world has more consquences then the colonialism in the past . Today ignorant African govt is calling every body with money to lease there fertile land to get out of poverty and get money for them self is like inviting to be reconlized . Most of those African dictaters are short in vision . They are trying to solve there short term problem with out knowing the long term effect they are creating aganist ther own poor ppl and there enviroment is very scary move . It is good to look the other way around may be like supplying food to the world which is farmed by there own ppl . It is a good income to get out poverty then geting rapid for ever .
01/30/11 @ 10:34
Comment from: Ali [Visitor]
*****
Reply to 'one'
Your logic seems to fail again to make me understand what do you mean. The rule by majority does not mean the minority must have to accept the majority's way of living. Both the young and the aged have the right to contribute to the future of Ethiopia. Have you ever heard the term 'holistic' we are different part of the a wholesome without one, the other will malfunction.
for example take a car. it would be a with all its features. motor/egine, tires, windscreen and steering and so on needless to mention all of them here. We can not say that one part is important than the other. But it part has its own function. Some of them would have job to do than the other. However, all of them are doing their part. Although it is not good to describe human relationship with something that does not have life, this is to clearly point out to 'one' making youth only as the one components of the revolution in Ethiopia. All the section of the society would have something to contribute. I am afraid tomorrow 'one' would tell us people with disability would not have anything to do with their right because they are minority. They should accept the majority rule. This is not the essence of democracy and I recommend you do some reading before you start writing. I recognise the fact that little knowledge is very dangerous and most young people due to the amount of life experience they have would limit they capability. The young, I acknowledge, has important function to play in the achievement of sustainable political outcome.
Obama campaign was cited by you as an important example the youth can be beneficial to make a change. However, do not forget these youngster could not achieve these unless the middle aged the old have not contributed.
01/30/11 @ 10:51
Comment from: Haqii [Visitor]
wedi eri, you are not divided in ethnic and religious line? really? so, every ethic group in Eritrea has converted to Christian hamasien? wow, you guys are miracle doers. That was what we thought about your role-model the Somalians.
01/30/11 @ 11:49
Comment from: warya@5 [Visitor]
Afarman & Next Call
I totally believe it is economically wise to lease the unused vast land of Ethiopia. The Western investors will not take the high risk.We have accept anyone with cash.
During King H Selase there were foreign and local investors who had large agricultural farms in the South and around Awash River. I remember we were blaming the King that our land was sold to the wealthy and foreigners. I clearly remember how in Awash valley the land was returned to the Afar people early Derg time. How about the Ethiopian owned plantains which were nationalised?
Can any one explain to me the difference between these investors and those ones.
01/30/11 @ 12:08
Comment from: DownSize [Visitor]
This article is not about Eritrea.
This article is not about Eritrea.
This article is not about Eritrea
Some of you writing about Eritrea here are have no idea what going on in Ethiopia or understand the article content. Please read and understand before you jump to write your opinon.
Let me summerize this article for morons.
Ethiopia is invaded by Land grabers.
Ethiopia
01/30/11 @ 12:47
Comment from: TO: AFARMAN [Visitor]
right now is where there are more hungry Ethiopians then ever before, unemployed and majority living under a $1 a day and you speak of development? too many poor people are suffering and this is the reality.
01/30/11 @ 13:34
Comment from: Garii [Visitor]
The southern people who`s land is sold should learn lesson from Afar men who teach Alhamudi in 1994 when he try to grab their land for cotten plantation.One match has done its job.One day the Gambella and Benshangul sky will make good fire work.
Unless we act crying 24/7 does not bering anything.
01/30/11 @ 13:50
Comment from: bex [Visitor]
Dear all Our land is gone to forigners our indignity is gone to manority Tigray we live in fear to speak out what is going on in Ethiopia no press freedom no demonstration alowed just a 2weeks ago we start chant anti government at art kilo then what happen next guess a lot of wayane bogus student are Gov. Securitys and we lost our friends they never come back to uni, we need help from disboras. Thank u.
01/30/11 @ 13:56
Comment from: seifu [Visitor]
The tigraian will pay big price. no ethiopian will trust tigrain after weyane agazzi baby killer
we ethiopian will get you soon
TPLF/Weyane will go down soon.
6 feet under.
long live ethiopia
death to tplf/weyane
01/30/11 @ 14:10
Comment from: Tulu Proud ET [Visitor]

TO ALL MY PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA

What are you waiting for?
Ethiopians, you lost your land, your, house, the member of your family, your dignity, your right, your freedom, your wealth, your hope and future under the current ethnocentric BANDA MELES REGIME.
Take the momentum from Tunis, Egypt and Yemen. The power is in your hand.
Tunisia throw away 23 years of tyrant in THREE DAYS. Egypt is in its SIX DAYS and the end of 30 years Mubarak is on the table.
Meles is different and EASY TO THROW because he alienated and abused the whole majority of Ethiopians unlike Tunisia and Egypt.
Once you stand there is no way for Meles to go but DOWN!!!!!.
01/30/11 @ 14:21
Comment from: Tulu Proud ET [Visitor]
This article is specifically taking about the Land Grab deal Banda Meles is making with Foreigners . Ethiopia is all for Sale. Not about Eritrea.
Making Ethiopians landless, powerless, poor and owned by Foreigners.
It is blood boiling, enraging and make you ready to fight and die for our country.
The person that looks like you is selling your country to foreigners in a fast pace for his quick buck and power.
Who ever is talking about Eritrea is a Woyane greedy thug trying to divert attention.
01/30/11 @ 14:34
Comment from: Imperial Body Guard [Visitor]
Self-sufficiency for Ethiopia must be the common goal for all agricultural produce alongside proper land administration respecting the declaration made by the Emperor,"For those of you who possess the land and labour but lack capital, We have made credit available at low interest. For those of you who have the necessary capital but do not possess land to work on, We have, in accordance with Our proclamation which entitled every Ethiopian to ownership of land, established offices in every province through which you may be able to acquire land. Those who have neither land nor money will be granted land and a financial loan at low interest. For those of you who possess land, who have financial resources and manpower, We have made experts available to furnish you with the necessary guidance and advice in your undertakings." Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, page 486
"Ethiopia cannot, as some would suggest, look to industry for these funds. Without agricultural expansion, industrial growth is impossible.. Great strides, it is true, have been made in introducing industries into Ethiopia in recent years. But in any less-developed agrarian country, possessing only limited possibilities for selling the products of its factories in the world export markets, industry can grow only if there exists an increasingly prosperous rural consumer population. Industrialization is not an alternative to the development of agriculture; rather, the development of agriculture is the essential pre-condition to the growth of industry.
The fundamental obstacle to the realization of the full measure of Ethiopia's agricultural potential has been, simply stated lack of security in the land. The fruits of the farmer's labour must be enjoyed by him whose toil has produced the crop." Selected speeches of HIM Negus Haile Selassie I, pages 492-3
The neo-colonial regime of ethnic federalism claims to own all rural land holdings, depriving Ethiopian families of their right to a gasha of freehold land given to them from the Emperor. The corrupt oppressive regime keeps begging for food aid and restricting exports for Ethiopians other than themselves and their alien puppets.
"Every structure must be built on a solid foundation, for those constructed otherwise would soon collapse. The proclamation by which We made land grants to the entire Ethiopian people is the foundation of this scheme." Selected Speeches of HIM Negus Haile Selassie I, page 487
Long Live the Constitutional Monarchy!
Long Live the Kebra Negast!
Long Live the Charter of the United Nations!
Fire burn down the satanic star of secession
Rise with the Lion of Judah!
Gasha for Ethiopians!
Long Live Independent Ethiopia!
01/30/11 @ 14:41
Comment from: one [Visitor]
Tulu Proud ET,
we include Eritrea because stinking eritreans slaves are advocating chaos in ethiopia by pretending to be ethiopians and using ahmara and oromo names but their stench gives them away. the smell is too potent not to notice. by the way i am an oromo and not tigray. also tigray and eritreans are the same cancer which must be eliminated all together. so if you want people not to mention eritrean then tell your stinking tigray people to leave ethiopian website and go to their own. true ethiopian will not wish what is happening in Egypt to happen in ethiopia. how come you don't wish this to happen in Eritrea but only in ethiopia. you think we ethiopians do not know about your situation. how isayas jails christians, how he is persecuting afars, and the young are running like cacaroches when the light comes on.... think again. we ethiopians know eritreans pretend isayas is good and want change in ethiopia. GET OUT OF OUR WEBSITE OR WE WILL INCLUDE ERITREANS WHEN EVER WE SMELL THEM. OROMO UNITE AND KILL ALL TIGRAYS AND ERITREANS. DEATH TO ERITREANS. OROMO PRIDE.
01/30/11 @ 15:19
Comment from: Sam [Visitor]
What benefit Ethiopia will get from investors who are grabbing Ethiopian land? The land contract was reported to be 99 years, give or take. So far every country which invested in Ethiopian agricultre made it known their harvest will be shipped out to their country in its entirety. Even if they would be willing to sell some of their product to Ethiopia who will decide the market price? The Saudi billionaires or the Ethiopian government? It is a truth in any transaction the seller sets the price. What is EPDRF trying to tell us? Our farmers are lazy, and we need the hard working Saudis to till our land. That might not be. EPDRF might say the Saudis and the other countries had the mechanized farming to produce more, which Ethiopian peasants could not have the resources or the knowlege to apply? Let us agree with that assumption. Then the peasants will be turned to be daily laborers to their new masters, who by the way is worth remembering are not even the natives of their country. Mechanization though overtime will reduce the number of labor because more job will be done with machine. The more machines are updated, less labor is needed. Now, here is the dillema. The Gambela peasants who relinquished their land to the Saudi billionaires, with no choice of their own, will find themselves after a few years even their labor might not be nedded in great number after all. What should they do? Well, they might have an option to immigrate to big cities. The problem is in the big cities no one is creating jobs. Neatrly 70 percent of the young is unemployed, and there is no the slightest indication that will change. So I ask again what will we Ethiopians will benefit from the selling of our land? I do not see any. Let us entertain another theory. Does the government politicians and some businesses with close connection with the government might see money changing hands in the Ethiopian land auction? You might call me very skeptical. But I am not calling myself as you do. I see here a business transaction in the making that EPDRF thought the party and its politician to be beneficiary. In that sense they might not be wrong. But it is bad for Ethiopia. These guys will be busy selling Ethiopia's land until they run out of land to sell. In the meantime millions of former Ethiopian peasants will march to the city and over populate the side walk of many big cities, especially Addis.
01/30/11 @ 16:31
Comment from: Ethiopians unite now and remove Tires from Power for ever! [Visitor]
When Tigres see "uncultivated" land, they think it is free land they can sell to anyone they like. In fact the land is used as grass land. Oromia is no.1 in Africa for cattle and milk production, without which children would die of malnutrition!Tigres exchange our fertile land for "milk powder" from foreign lands. Or they use it for flower and biodiesel production by european and arab countries. What primitive folks are these? Ethiopians must unite and eliminate these people from their country now. They are no better than wild animals....
01/30/11 @ 16:42
Comment from: Magarsa [Visitor]
Seifu and others, we accept your call!
Ethiopians, forget minor ethnic diffences and unite on the one most important issue: get rid of woyanes from 4 kilo. Once this is done, we freely elect our leaders. There will be 100 % freedom of expression for all, without fear or intimidation. We will fill the streets of Adisaba untill we have done this. All land sells other contracts signed by woyanes in our name should be reversed, immediately after the regime falls.
United we stand divided we fall!
01/30/11 @ 16:54
Comment from: Gezaee H. [Visitor]
Ethiopian National disobedience guide lines:

1. Please Ethiopians free yourself from any ethnic politics. Please if you have such attitude do not join the national disobedience .
2. We want a change that brings peace, harmony, prosperity to all Ethiopian inccluding Eritrean.
3. Please all human being need bread, cloth, air, water, housing, clothing. There is no any ethnic or race, or colur which needs to be treated specially.
4. We want to bring a change in Ethiopia where the limit of prosperity of a person is only her or his ability, not the person's religion, or ethnic or race or colour. The limit of any human being to prosper must his or her ability.
5. We want a civil and elected leader who live and lead under strong law. We have had enough despotics for far. We need good leaders who motivate citizens.

6. The soul of all human being has no race, colour, ethnic, ethnic region, or ethnic country.
7. I do not want to have permission to live in any part of my country since it my country.
We want to destroy the ethnic wall built in our country for oppression and subjugation of people.
9. Please avoid discriminating people in any form. Changing is not only changing the leaders. We also have to change the way we treat each other.
10. Lessons from Tunisia, Egypt, the people are not fighting among themselves. They are fighting for one common goal. Please have a goal. Please avoid any ethnic name calling. The change must give freedom and peace to everyone.
11. Stay in houses and demand Meles to leave office and hand power to a civil leader.

12. No violence, no killing, no burning anything and that is why we are saying people must protest by staying in their houses and bring the country into stand still. Let the streets of addis Ababa a desert for one day and we will see Meles what he will do.
13. People will go only outside in a violent manner if Meles refuse to hand power to a civil leader.

14. Please be civilized and respectful to any human form that has breath. Please do not discriminate any human in any form. Even the criminals has to be justice in the court room , no violence killing.
01/30/11 @ 16:55
Comment from: Gelmo Kurra [Visitor]
Meles, finally came out with his true self and sowed he is really the enemy of Ethiopia. He knows time is running away for him,therefore has to sell everything in sight. It is a bold decission to sell the Ethiopian lands but he feels that the only sure way of amking sufficient money to support him and his expesive wife and children maybe even his grand children to live in wealth and riches. After all that is the way Ethiopans made money by selling their lands. But not insuch vast amounts to complete foreigners. It was done with some foreigners in Addis Abeba with special permision from the Emperor. Now Emperor Meles himself is selling the land and making the mony he needs. What annoys me is that Meles argues that he is selling the lands to fight un employment, and that the land was not used before. Number one the farmers using the land were never known as an employed. Second Ethiopians anever thougfht their land was not used sometimes it is not ither times it is usedin turn. other timed the lsnd was using for grazing. Ethiopians fought all their life time to preserve these lands because it was the evidence for theit freedom. For being Ethiopians.
"you stupid fools" you willpay for this with your life.
You trcked us once you cannot tick us always.myz
01/30/11 @ 18:35
Comment from: MENTIKO [Visitor]
ali slow down.
01/30/11 @ 19:46
Comment from: Rule of Law [Visitor]
Abdisaa Agaa
"The moment Eritrea makes peace withe Ethiopia, it is the beginning of the end for Ethiopia"
You got it right!!
They will start manufacturing counterfit money, bribe bank executives inorder to borrow money with which they will buy heavy duty transportation vehicles and ship them to Eritrea, they will take charge of the country's economy on Zenawi's blessing. The current no-war-no-peace situation is just perfect for Ethiopia.
01/30/11 @ 21:28
Comment from: msfn [Visitor]
The tables are turned now; blame the Diaspora for whatever misery the country is in. Do you know what percentage of the population depend entirely on remittance? Can you think of something positive about Diaspora?
01/30/11 @ 21:41
Comment from: Trurth [Visitor]
Since the world knows that Agazi army is made of only one ethnic group, any attack on civil disobedience participators in Ethiopia, should one happens to start now, would be considered genocide. In case some peoiple do not know that, Ethiopian news websiutes must publish this information and give it wide coverage so the ruling junta knows that they will be held responsible as criminals against huimanity. The moment anyone uses its ethnically based army to clamp down on others, it is apartied and it is nazism and it is genocidal. Tigreans should really think about this one and better stand at the right side of hisytory.
01/30/11 @ 22:26
Comment from: galaseres [Visitor]
Zinawians don't start doing anything and everything unless they primarly see the greatest benifit for themselves;the rest is seconday,and Ethiopians are the ones who get little or nothing.
Today,anything and everything that is available below and above the lands,in Ethiopia are owned,controlled,and run by Zinawians;whereas,Ethiopians are enduring imprisonment,exile,torture,murder,and grinding poverty.
The world talked about aggressive land grabbing by foreigners in Ethiopia,and Ethiopians are loosing huge farmlands to foreign marketers leaving their livelihood in greatest danger.On the surface it looks like simple,but under the whole deal,Ethiopians are the losers,and Zinawians are the greatest beneficiaries because they made every deal for themsleves and keept evey detail out of the reach of Ethiopians.It is infact,a secret deal.
When Zinawians came into Ethiopia,they were barefoot,but had lots of guns and bullets to loot and murder Ethiopians.Time favored them and invaded Ethiopia;they then quickly moved into towns,villages,cities and neighbourhoods,broke into homes and vandalized the lives of the families.
Today,Zinawians buy and sell;they buy weapons and guns to keep suppressed and oppressed Ethiopians;they buy business worth of millions of dollars and invest in stock markets and megacoorporations abroad;they sell farmlands and babies in bulk.One single man,Meles Zinawi has accumelated a wooping,1.2 billion euro in stolen money;Madame crimelady,Azeb Golla Mesfin is extravangant,wild,and nibbling bug is another multimillonaire.
What had been hppening in Ethiopia had had happened in Tunisia;what happened in Tunisia will definitely happen in Ethiopia.What has happened in Tunisia is happening in Egypt,will happen in Ethiopia.The wives of all the dictators,in Tunisia,in Egypt,and in Ethiopia as lethal as their monster husbands;they all consume bloodmoney.
It is the same with distruction of the lives of Ethiopians that dictators in Tunisia and Egypt did to their people.In Ethiopia,the children of Ethiopia are poor,sick,and homeless;they never,never had hot meal;not even a spoon of milk;wheras,the children of Madame Azeb Golla Mesfin,at 22,they have access to millions of dollars stolen from poor Ethiopians and kept in varietes of bank account spreading accross and all over the world,and are armed and dangerious.
Cheer up Ethiopians! The people of Tunisia have removed the suckers without guns and bulletes;so will the people of Egypt;for sure,Ethiopians will do more than what the people of Tunisia and Egypt are doing.Ethiopians will scrape the suckers to without any trace;indeed,victory will go to Ethiopians.
01/30/11 @ 22:39
Comment from: George [Visitor]
***--
What we have is a fertile virgin land to which we held for thousands of generations while these generations lived in the dark, poverty and backwardness. That is to say without schools, clinics/hospitals, electicity, infrastructure etc. What are you saying people, should the state of Ethiopia ever change and Ethiopians live in darkness for centuries again? Listen, you all know that no one would like to invest unless one is going to make a profit from his/her investment. Then why do you think these outsiders rushing to the country? why didn't they go somewhere else? Simply because conditions are conducive for them in Ethiopia and they are sure they will make dividens, and most importantly it is because Ethiopia has become a country of law and order promoting its democracy to its economy etc. So you people who bitterly object to the lease of land in opinion are wrong. You dwell too much in ethnic hate and you do not have a poistive spritit about your self and your country. I think that is very sad. Me as one of the diaspora when I hear things that are positive about my country of origin my heart explodes with pleasure. When hear and listen to negative news and views like that of yours my heart is broken at your cynisim and my tears almost role down across my chicks. I have got a message for Eritreans (98% of them): you rejected your roots because of the unexpected lapse in the history of Bahir Negash that is Italian colonialism when it was proven to our king at that time it was beyond the means of his country to liberate the Bahir Negash part of his country. Now until the like of Iassais pass away from the world the unity of Bahir Negash appears to be remote. But I have a dream that we will be one again one day because we are one in blood and in spirit. The current government is not to be blamed for your separation, it is your will and desire that separated you from your mother country. Sadly the naked reality for the Eritrean people is that separation did not enterpret in any thing positive they dreamt before that sad event of separation.
Hey, I was interested to read about the PM's origins by one of you above. I wonder is that why he has an exceptional talent in Amharic? For me he is the top man of the day. He genius and sinecere with his dealing about Ethiopia. Those of you who hate him in my opinion are dishonest, hateful and less intelligent. If you are ambitious to lead the country in the near future, I do not see it happening so soon. The EPRDF will continue to govern the country for years to come.
God Bless Ethiopia and keep her from the chaos and havoc some of you wish to create.
01/30/11 @ 22:42
Comment from: Gezaee H. [Visitor]
George , u must a naive.
The fact that you dared to defend selling land to foreigners as a positive thing, you must be a headless naive TPLF cadres who does not know right and wrong.
You cadres also said Ethiopia has to be land-locked and it is not you who is paying the bill , it is the people.
You dammmit soulless Luwach, yeteliyan kitregnoch, you will be gone soon. We cannot afford anymore to argue with headless bandas.
Hell to bandas.
Ethiopians rise up and chase the Arab Amouldi and the banda Meles in 24 hours.
The headless cadres will never understand anything. All negative is positive for them.
The solution is to get rid them of the country like in the rest of the nations.
They even dare to argue as a good thing.
Fiasco head, headless Meles TPLF cadres.
Do not talk with Satanic people. They ear deaf and covered by ignorance. They are selling everything.
It is time to humiliate them by national disobedience.
Down to TPLF Meles.
01/30/11 @ 23:07
Comment from: ethiopiawe [Visitor]
Here we go again you the people complain about the land, it was there for centuries no body knows how to use it and miliones of people were starving the world was laughing at us because of bad administration and hangry for power now finally, we got the smart leadershiop start useing the water, land , torisim,you name it ok. And that bothers you because you know you will never get it back the stupid power of your dad and grand dad.




Here we go again some sick politicians are awak when they see Ethiopia start use its natural resourcess to feed its peopel all they think is just how to get back the power ,sorry to let you have to work like anybody else ethiopia is for all, not only for cirtain or few ethnic people. The land, water,minning,and many natural resources was there for millione years but no brain can use it but now many people come with full of knowlege and conciuos and determin vesion to the future to use the natural resources.




01/30/11 @ 23:44
Comment from: Meles Zenawi is WANTED [Visitor]
*****
Wikileaks is hijaked, there is no info coming out of indicting Weyane leader. All this is something we already know. We want more info on Meles in the Ethiopian election, we also want info on Somalia invasion, we want more on Meles. We have read more than enough on Eritrea's leader, we want more on Meles.
01/31/11 @ 00:45
Comment from: john john [Visitor]
There is nothing wrong leasing land to inventor for farms i really don't care where they sell their product as long us they get better profit and stay in buissnes thats what count.
01/31/11 @ 00:48
Comment from: kul [Visitor]
*****
Woyane meticulously copied China’s technique of internet propaganda. The Chinese created what is known as “the 50 Cent Army” of cyber warriors who infiltrate Internet forums to propagate the interest of the ruling party in China. Similarly, EPRDF recruited several paid online woyane defenders like Addis Zemen, Yeha, Baymero, Teshome, etc whose main job is to comment belligerently on any genuine criticism of EPRDF. They unconditionally support anything EPRDF does even if the act involves killing innocent people. They denounce any one who tries to criticize woyane.
01/31/11 @ 10:47
Comment from: oromo [Visitor]
Gezaee H,
you are advocating struggle for your ahmara power hunger. well if you include oromos in the struggle, we want to sit down and negotiate. here is our demand.
1) after the struggle oromo will be free from ahmara. we will deport all ahmaras and you guys can do the same deport all oromos to oromia.
2)we will take 60% of ethiopian money converted into U.S. dollar since most export comes from Oromia for the last 1000 years.
3)no ahmara will be allowed in Oromia, you can create your own policy.
3)no relationship will be created between oromia and Ahmaria.
if you want to stay together here is our demand.
1)all power will be given to Oromos.
2)ahmaras will need to work for at least one year as slaves to oromos for 100 years of pay back.
3)Ahmara girls will have to merry oromo man, oromo girls don't have to merry ahmara man.
4)Ahmara's will be second class citizen for one year to see how it feels.
5)Tigrays are not included because they are not welcomed in Oromia and no negotiation with them.
Ahmara always want to be in power, Tigray always want to be in power,
oromo never been in power and we want our turn. no more ahmara and Tigray rule. Oromo shall be free.
01/31/11 @ 11:45
Comment from: kill.terrorist [Visitor]
So? what is the big secret / Cultivation is a crime? So many funny comments like sodo /saddo. Grow up.
01/31/11 @ 11:58
Comment from: Tulu Proud ET [Visitor]
one
Tigrea parasites will come and defend what ever is coming from Meles because they are the beneficiaries and they don’t care about any other Ethiopian. So their argument is dead on arrival.

If you care and call yourself an Ethiopian you should be disturbed by the Land Grab scheme of Banda Meles and his Tigrea cohunes. Oromos, Afars and south Ethiopians land is being sold to Foreigners for quick money for Tigreas.
Banda Meles and Tigrea are damaging Ethiopia by far than Eritrea. FYI Meles is giving Eritreans Ethiopian Lassie Passé and they are roaming around freely in Ethiopia.
If Meles is removed quickly the whole situation is solved. Ethiopians and all its people can coexist peacefully with each other.
The best thing for Ethiopia is to take the momentum from Tunisia and Egypt and put pressure on Meles and his repressive cadres to leave power.
If you are an Oromo then be wise and get along with Amaras whom our people commingled and lived peacefully for centuries. We did not mix with Tigres. That is the best way to show Meles the exit.
01/31/11 @ 12:06
Comment from: Gelmo Kurra [Visitor]
Sometimes I wonder why some people write stupid things as comment. Remember you are gettimg nothing for writing comments therefpre please don't bother to write nonsense. Leave it to those people who have something to say. Keep your stupidity for yourself.
01/31/11 @ 18:13
Comment from: biya [Visitor]
one
If you don't mind write your comments in small caps. Make it easy read. Have you ever seen a news paper written in capital letters?? If ppl want to read what you write , then write it in small caps.
01/31/11 @ 19:04
Comment from: daniel [Visitor]
Ethiopia land sell to foreigners very sad so don't mixed with eritrea.eritrea is not ethiopia sorry
01/31/11 @ 21:02
Comment from: Sawa4Life [Visitor]
*****
Alex
you are one losser @game, the only Eritrean dispised by all ethiopians is your Meles Zenawi, the rest real Eritreans are about to build chaines wall to separate us forever.
All the purpose of woyanes here in this website is to go outside the topic issue and talk about their former boss Eritreans, to divert the current issue.
I can tell most woyanes feel contempt about Ertitrans, and warn others about oppositions being the puppet of Eritrea, as if TPLF never recieved formall training from EPLF.Lol
Anyway Eritrea like you heard it on the news got Oil, Petrol, Gas, Gold, Copper and many many more, their is 0% interest with you ppl even in thousand years, I personaly don't wish diplomatic or any relations with Ethiopia, I mean it, coz it's good for nothing.

01/31/11 @ 21:05
Comment from: sentayehu1221 [Visitor]
john john,
who gets profit?
who controls profit?
profit goes to?
who check these profits?
is there any non-eprdf control these profits?
ALL OF THESE PROFITS CONTROL AND ORCHESTRATED BY THE "Regime of Thieves"!
02/01/11 @ 07:47
Comment from: Taftafawalu [Visitor]
meles is exhausted;his regime is weakened;hodams are freaking.The revolution is coming!!
The reality is much more than what those pupies of meles say because when meles resigned from the post he held as a member of nepad,the sprinkled news was that he a had lot of things he would do beyond what he had been doing:- the reality is that his daily schedule is filled up with visiting doctors for the ailments that have been eating him off gradually yet aggressively.Chow! chow!
Ritht now,his brain is tied up with a lot of worries ranging from his debelatiting health to the coming revolution that whill awash him with the wet tide down to his eternal removal from the surface of Ethiopia.
Yes! the spies,the hodams,the hitmen,the informers and other reckless dependent of the system are frantically looking rabbit's holes here and there.Baka is baka;revolution is coming.
02/01/11 @ 08:46
Comment from: Danny [Visitor]
The sell of huge chunk of land to South Korea brought down the government of Madagascar, I hope the sell of land to Saudi Arabia, India etc by the bandit group TPLF will bring the downfall of TPLF/eprdf in Ethiopia.
02/01/11 @ 13:55
Comment from: oromo [Visitor]
Tulu Proud ET,
no working together with Ahmara. i don't know what language to use, if i can speak fake ahmaric or bird language tigra i will speak to you. but i only speak my language. no deal with Ahmara. go to hell with your king saliasa and tedrows. we are enemies ahmara and oromo. before you slave us and called us gala, now the tigray is kicking your ass you come to us as friends..lol. scary ahmara. go fight tigray by yourself and leave us alone. we want oromia for oromo people. no tigray, no ahmara, no somalia, no eritrea, just oromo people. if you don't understand this go to addiss and catch aids.
02/01/11 @ 16:41
Comment from: tekola [Visitor]
RE: Truth
you are 110% right.the Agazi ARMY created by Zenawi is a mercenary that
does not even speak the national language that is trained only to kill at command.any action taken by this trained killers should be a genocide but nothing else and their chief Zenawi have to be charged for any death caused by Agazi genocide troops.Why were agazi troop never send to Somalia? Zenawi have created
this troops only to murder fellow Ethiopians that what Zenawi have learned from Mengistus special forces that came from the same region that have no relation with other Ethiopians.WAKE-UP.
02/01/11 @ 22:28
Comment from: I_hate_Ehadig! [Visitor]
Oho!
READ THIS!!!
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/ethiopia-offers-india-farmland-for-investment/articleshow/7409920.cms
1.8 million hectares to Indian investors. What a hell is going on? You know how much it means if I am not mistaken?
1.8 million hectares = 134km x 134km
What? Yes it is. If we think it like a rectangle, it means it has length = Addis to Debre-berhan and width = Addis to Debre-berhan in the other direction.
Ethiopia has a total area of 1,127,127 square kilometers. The land on sale is about 18,000 square kilometers.
That is so funny.
02/02/11 @ 11:13
Comment from: Mengistu [Visitor]
Well every body says something but I never could to read a peaceful related coment. every body sugests getting into war. look the regim is not perfect. well do u know whats going on in USA the family and multi milioners who have rolled thise country even in England.and other euro countries. if u realy xare about these poor and indigent peopel do something. why bother em? dick heads
02/02/11 @ 12:11
Comment from: ewnet [Visitor]
*****
one, I like your analysis. It is wise and reasonable.
02/02/11 @ 12:27
Comment from: Tulu Proud ET [Visitor]
oromo
You want to sound like and Oromo but I know you are not an Oromo but a banda TPLF.
You hope to divide us by injecting your self hated propaganda. Oromo and Amaras are the majority who married to each other and have given birth to millions and millions of children.
Your narrow minded ethnicity and hatred mounting on total fabrication has been dead long time ago. It is not working.
The #1 enemy of Ethiopia is people like you, tiny, tiny TPLF bandas. You will not keep selling our land and children. You will pay for it.
02/02/11 @ 16:42
Comment from: DenkoroBeza [Visitor]
Sint hatteraw endale yegermal.
Be it that you are
Eritrean, Tigraians, Amara, Oromo we all abesha/habesha
No need to be racist, some of you comment something childish and untruth, please people let's be matured.
02/02/11 @ 18:43