National Rice Research and Development Strategy of Ethiopia NRRDSE July 5 - 9, 2010 Cotonou, Benin

1. National Rice Research and Development Strategy of Ethiopia (NRRDSE)July 5 - 9, 2010Cotonou, Benin

2. Background: Ethiopia Population: 72+ Million (growth 2.4+%) Altitude: <120 masl to over 4600 masl Diversity: Relief, Soils and Climate Flora and Fauna Peoples, Culture and Languages (> 80 languages and ethnic groups) Economy: 15-17 percent of GOE’s expenditures are committed to agriculture and rural development, agriculture directly supports 85 percent of the population’s livelihoods, 45 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and over 80 percent of export value. Thirteen million smallholder farmers account for 95 percent of total production, and five to seven million households are chronically food insecure year-round

3. Basic facts: Policy The potential rice production area in Ethiopia is estimated to be about thirty million hectares It has wider adaptation The government has also recognized it as a millennium crop in light of ensuring food security in Ethiopia Rice is important sector along with the focus given to Agriculture in the GoE’s poverty reduction strategy, the 2004 Food Security Strategy (FSS), the 2006 Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP) the new PASDEP is expected to incorporate the targets of this strategic document.

4. Basic facts: Rice Production Trends The development aspect in promoting rice production is also limited to certain areas. However, there is an increasing trend in both area and production of the crop since 2006.

5. Basic facts: Rice Suitability Map: Rain-fed Total - about 30 m ha 5.6 m ha highly suitable 25 m ha suitable

6. Basic facts: Irrigation potential for Rice

7. PRIORITY AREAS AND APPROACHES Approaches Agro-ecology based promotion of Rice R&D Promotion of both small-scale and commercial rice production Gender consideration Value chain approach promotion Environmentally sustainability

8. Strategies of the NRRDSE In view of the suggested approaches and addressing the priority areas indentified, the NRRDSE is designed to have nine main strategic components namely strengthening the institutional framework and policy development Research, Technology Dissemination, Promotion and Capacity Building; Seed Production, Multiplication and Dissemination of Certified Seed fertilizer marketing and distribution; irrigation and investment in water control technologies; pre-harvest technologies, post-harvest technologies access to and maintenance of agricultural machinery and equipment; and access to credit/ agricultural finance.

10. Human capacity building targets

11. Governance

12. Partnership arrangements The NRRDSE will be promoting effective partnership with all stakeholders within the country and also abroad like IRRI, Africa Rice Center, JIRCAS, CARD. The National Rice R&D Steering Committee will take the responsibility in strengthening this partnership. In addition, the Agricultural and Rural Development Partners’ Linkage Advisory Council at federal, regional, zonal and woreda level will play in further strengthening the linkage among stakeholders.

13. Thank you