Green Revolution Technology Takes Root in Africa The Promise and Challenge of the Ministry of Agriculture/SG2000 Experiment with Improved Cereals Technology in Ethiopia

Abstract

In 1993, the Sasakawa/Global 2000 Program (SG) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) began a joint program to demonstrate that substantial productivity increases could be achieved when farmers were given appropriate extension messages and agricultural inputs were delivered on time at reasonable prices. The program provided credit, inputs and extension assistance to participants willing to establish half-hectare demonstration plots on their own land. In 1995, the MOA/SG demonstration program reached more than 3,500 farmers. During the same year MOA launched the New Extension Program (NEP) based on SG principles but managed independently. By 1997, NEP was managing the bulk of the demonstration plots. Although the MOA/SG program is widely considered to be a success, no formal analysis had been carried out to determine its profitability. In September 1997 MOA/SG agreed to collaborate with MSU to answer the following questions: (1) Is improved technology financially profitable for farmers? (2) Is it economically profitable from a national perspective? (3) What factors limit crop response to improved technologies? and (4) What challenges does the government face as it scales up the NEP program?food security, food policy, agricultural inputs, Ethiopia, Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Downloads July 2008 - June 2009: 15, O33,