CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Agriculture as primary economic activity is the major economic activity of the world population.
By and large it is subsistence nature in Ethiopia. This is particularly true the major food crop in
the country. Ethiopia is endowed with excellent and varied climatic and rich soil appreciates for
the production of food (Abraham, 2001).

A total of 146 crops are grown for food. These includes cereals (teff, barely, maize, sorghum),
pulses (lentils, beans, peas etc.), oilseed (nudge seed, rape, sesame), root crops (enset, potato,
onion). These crops are grown in almost all parts of the country in spite of variation in volume of
production and productivity. Ethiopia has considerable water resource which can be utilized to
expand the land surface available. For the production of food crops the farmers can grow through
irrigation small land holders are simple and traditional. There are two major farming systems in
Ethiopia (ox plough cultivation in highland area and hoe cultivation in the southern Ethiopia
(Abraham, 2001)

Agricultural products are used for daily food consumption source of income for individual and
the country's economy and raw materials for many countries however the sector is characterized
by low level of productivity and subsistence farming system which have hand to mouth
production enforced the country to depend on foreign donors of security.
Meskan woreda is also one of the woreda located in Guraghe zone of south nation nationality
people region. This woreda having woinadega climatic weather condition suitable for crop
cultivation serving as major source of production like maize, wheat and teff. In addition to this,
other major crop production like, root crops (potato, enset), pulse crops (bean, peas) have been
produced.
The actual rate of food crop production has been low and the chance that the production of food
to retain with in agriculture itself is higher limited foreign exchange availability. Ethiopia is most

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vulnerable with respect to food security. In this country combination of population pressure and
low agricultural productivity, use of backward technology and unsustainable natural resource has
brought about increasing poverty and degradation (Abraham, 2001).

In Meskan woreda agricultural activity are dominated by traditional agricultural practice, use of
land, labor as well as a factor of production, inequality of land holding and shortage. However,
agriculture plays a major role and critical role in scio economic development, not only that,
supply of food and source of income .But, also inefficient in the sector because significant sector
of the population receive that the agricultural sector can bring about a state of food security due
to the improvement of the device of agriculturally man power and the use of improved seeds.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Agriculture is the main stay for the Ethiopian people. 85% of the population depend on the
agriculture from the total area of the country 66% is conducive for agriculture. However, this
potential has inefficiently used. This can be due to the backward technology and traditional
method of production practice. Even though the potential the, country's agriculture contribution
is not sufficiently utilized.The country is primarily depend on agriculture in, generating
employment opportunity, earning foreign exchange sustain in food expanding domestic market
etc.
Meskan woreda is also one part of the country where agriculture activity is backward. This is due
to the traditional method of the farmers which affect the productivity of the woreda and low
productivity and insufficient land suitable for the farming are also major problem of which
hinder the productivity and profit the farmers obtained from the sector.Now a days the rise in
price of major crops produced in the woreda are also affect the living standard of some residents
of the woreda, those who are engaged in non agricultural activities.

1.3 Objective of the study

1.3.1. General objective
- To show the contribution of crop production and its productivity to ensure food security in
Meskan woreda.

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1.3.2. Specific objective

1. To examine the socioeconomic conditions of educational, land holding size and farm tool.
2. To explore the coping strategies pursued by the farmers.
3. To identifying infrastructural problems affecting crop production.
4. To show impact of population growth on crop production.

1.4. Research Question

A. what are the reasons that cause food insecurity?

B. what are the coping strategies pursuede?
C. what are infrastructural problems that affect crop production?
D. what is the impact of population growth on crop production?

1.5. Significance of the study

The study would have been helpful for everyone who wants to know about the nature of corp
production and ifs productivity to ensure food security in Meskan woreda.It also shows clearly
problem and prospects of crop production and its productivity in ensuring food security. It also
more important by generating pertain information regarding the contribution of crop production
and its productivity to ensure food security for any organization; specifically for NGOs who
want to work in the woreda.

1.6. Scope and Limitations of the study

The study was intended to conduce on Meskan woreda including all major kebeles. The inquiry
technically the force range from the year between 2009-2014. The study mainly focused on
identifying the facts that are affecting agricultural productivities and food security in the woreda .
By using survey methods of data collection ,the limitation of this study was that the respondents
where asked to quantify value of continuous variables such as yield of major crops, size of land
holdings and other problems that are state to be like lack of capital, shortage of time and

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resource, lack of good will of the respondents

1.7. Organization of study

This research paper contains five major chapters. The first chapter includes background of the
research, statement of the problem , objectives of the research , significance and scope of the
research.The second chapter deals about review of literature which are relevant to the study. The
third chapter represents the research methodology and description of the study area. The fourth
chapter includes discussions and major findings of the research paper .The last chapter which is
chapter five studies about conclusions and appropriate recommendations.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Theoretical Literature Review

2.1.1. Definition of basic terms
crop production can be defined by many scholars as the production of the temporary and
permanent crops which involves under the same category of cereals, pulse crops, vegetables and
oil seeds.Temporary crop production is the production of the seasonal crop , where as permanent
crop production have long life. Generally crop production defers to the growing of crops either
for sale or domestic consumption (Seyoum ,2004)

In another paper “secured access at all times to sufficient food “has been identified as the concept

of the above definition (Mulat et : al ,1995 ) .

This definition explicitly focus on core concepts

 Sufficiency Defined as the calories required for active, acquired healthy life.

 “Access to food” through production, purchase, exchange or gift.

 “Security” defined by the balance between vulnerability, risk and insurance.

The idea of food security was presented for the first time at world food conference in 1974. Following a sharp

rise in world prices over the previous two years , the stress was laid on supply and how to require it ( EC and

TCA, 1998 ) .

2.1.2. Conceptual Frame work

The main concern of this research is to explore the gender difference in food security
status and the type of coping strategies used at household levels taking female and-
male headed households in the study area.
The households targeted in the area are largely agricultural. The conceptual
framework (model) developed and presented below attempts to illustrate how

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household food security could be interrelated with various factors and activities, each
of which is in turn influenced by other factors. To understand the food security

2.1.3. Types of crops

Crops can be classified into different groups based on their types and use. Accordingly, we can
get those differences with related their element. Explained as follows.
Cereals: these group involve maize, teff, wheat, sorghum etc.
pulses:this group consist of bean, peas, lentils, soybean, winged bean and tempany bean
(Ethiopian Economy Grade 12 Text Book, 2008 ).the second edition

2.1.4 Prospects of crop production in developing countries

Virtually all further output growth in Asia comes from increased yield per unit of land, because
the opportunity for further area expansion is minimal. This is also increasing the case for many
countries in parts of Africa and Latin America, although for some such as Brazil, Sudan, Zambia
and Angola have potential for expansion at the extensive margin. This increasing evidence that
growth in cereal yield has leveled off (Todaro,1996)..
Further growth in crop production and productivity are essential. Both by the population growth
and income induced demand shifts to varying degrees , according to crop and region.This growth
will come only by shifting yield frontiers, improving imput use efficiency and with increasing
urgency, conserving and resource base.Unless, investment in agricultural research and education
are maintained or increased. In an area of serious constraints on such in investment, better
knowledge of the specific investment in particular place at particular time is necessary to
increase their margin returns (Dessalegn,1999).

2.2 Major Causes of Food Insecurity in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is listed among those countries in Sub- Saharan Africa with the most
perilous,long term food situations. Various historical records reveal famine in
Ethiopia is aphenomenon for over centuries. According to some accounts, Ethiopia
has faced some 44 severe famine catastrophes including the tragedy of “the great.

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Similarly, in a study about Ethiopian famine, Getachew (1995) stated that
household’s risk of food insecurity and famine were aggravated by long term secular
decline in resource weendowment coupled with unsound food policy intervention.
He also underlined that the failure of Ethiopian small scale agriculture to feed its
population is mainly due to the prevailing gaps in policy and the continuing decline in
access to productive assets of 18 most farmers (Getachew, 1995). On the other hand,
other researchers account for the cause of food insecurity in Ethiopia to natural
resource degradation. The base for their argument is the subsistence, peasant
dominated and rain fed type of agriculture that is pursued despite the large percentage
of agricultural population that the country supports.(Degefa, 2005). Generally, the
causes of food insecurity in Ethiopia as reviewed from various literatures are
categorized and presented asfollows.

A. Environmental Factors
Environmental factors include land, water, vegetation, soil, and climate upon which
agricultural activities (crop production, livestock rearing, fishery, forestry, apiculture,
horticulture, etc) are based. Hence, any hazard against these resources can affect food
security situation of a given community (Yared, 2001).
However, the degree of environmental influence varies depending on the level of
development, and subsistence farmers in developing regions are generally regarded as
more susceptible to environmental shocks (Degefa, 2002). In explaining the effect of
environmental changes on the livelihood of farmers in Ethiopia
Getachew (1995) argued that the traditional farming systems of the Ethiopian
peasants consumes and exploits the natural resource base, therefore, resource
degradation, depletion and environmental problems are inevitable. They also
elaborated that environmental disturbances and over exploitation of natural resources
leads to the prevalence of natural catastrophes including flood, drought, water
logging, excessive heating and the like which are the immediate causes of famine in
Ethiopia. It was also discussed that the rainfall variability, degraded soil, scanty
vegetation cover which cause ecological imbalances coupled with improper and poor

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land management practices and the accelerating population significantly add to the
occurrence of famine in Ethiopia. In strengthening the above arguments, it is stated
that development largely rely on appropriate and sustainable use of the environment
and the management of natural resources which in turn is a critical factor to the
pursuit of food security and economic development (FDRE, 1996).

B. Demographic Factors
Rapid population growth leads to a demand for additional land and clearing of new
areas for expansion of farm land and settlement. According to the CSA (1997/98),
Ethiopia had a gross national product (GNP), at market prices, of Birr 755, which is
one of the lowest GNPs in Sub-Saharan Africa. On the other hand, the population
growth rate is one of the highest not only in Africa but also in the world.
The Ethiopian Food security strategy which was issued in1996 also stipulates that
high population growth rate is one of the main impediments to ensure food security,
provide effective education, health and other essential social and economic services
(FDRE,1996). In support of the above statement Dagnew (2002) argues rapid
population growth among other factors is the cause for natural resource degradation
which aggravates insecurity problems in rural households. In his study on seasonal
food insecurity in Oromiya Zone, Degefa (2002), also revealed that the rate of
population growth which exceeds the rate of economic growth has resulted in small
land holding, resource exploitation, and limited fallow period among the rural
communities in Ethiopia.
C. Economic Factors
Some of the manifestations of economic problems that are considered as the
constraints of agricultural production according to Degefa (2002), include lack of
cash, absence of off-farm incomes, shortage of farm oxen, shortage of modern farm
inputs, traditional farm implements and practices. In explaining the implications of
these constraints, he stated that farmers with no ox are more vulnerable to household
food shortages as they rent out their land to other farmers with better pulling power or

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has to get oxen on a rent which makes them loose some of their produce through
shares. Similarly, Dessalegn (1997) argues that oxen possession in farm households is
the determinant factor of production. Lack of oxen or no oxen possession according
to him can potentially cause household food insecurity in the context of rural Ethiopia
where cultivation is possible with drought power. In understanding the effect of
economic factors in households’ food production, researches by Yared (2001) verify
that agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizers, herbicides and farm
implements which are vital to increase production and productivity are not well
accessed by most peasants due to high cost of chemical fertilizers and improved
seeds, poor performance of the market, lack of competitions and monopolization of
input supply in the hands of the government, lack of access to credit facilities and low
market values of agricultural producers.

D. Social Factors
According to Degefa (2002), social factors such as shortage of human labor, health
problems, low levels of education, poor food rationing and absence of saving tradition
areamong the causes to the occurrence of seasonal food shortages in farm households.
In support to the above statement, Workneh (2000) states labor is an important
determinant in peasant food production as most agricultural operations in small
farming systems are labor intensive. Similarly he argues that farmers’ access to
appropriate technologies and knowledge is crucial for raising agricultural production.

E. Infrastructural Factors
Infrastructural constraints such as inaccessibility to road, absence of irrigation,
absence of rural credit, inadequate extension service, poor storage facilities, low
prices of agricultural output and lack of veterinary services could be reflected in
households’ food insecurity (Degefa, 2002). On the other hand, credit provisions
among the most important infrastructural facilities could contribute to peasants’
access to production inputs such as oxen, seed and fertilizers. However, literature

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indicates that there is very limited access to this crucial form of capital in many rural
parts of the country. Basically, the sources are expected to be either informal
(community money or grain lenders, burial associations, urban traders etc) or formal
institutions (NGOs or government micro financing institutions). In line with the
above idea, Workneh (2000) also noted that even though the importance of credit for
poor small farm producers is unquestionable, farmers with smaller land holdings and
limited production capacity may not be credit worthy in the face of creditors
Compared to large farm holders.

F. Political Factors
As explained by Getnet (2002), the neglect of peasant agriculture in the formulation
and execution of macro- economic policies, focusing on growth through
industrialization during the Imperial Regime producers’ cooperatives and state farms
during the Derg Regime, as well as the poor agriculture-industry linkage by the
current EPRDF Regime are the major causes of poverty and food insecurity in rural
Ethiopia. In strengthening the above argument, Degefa also accounted the recurrence
of famine since 1950s largely to the failure of the government to combat poverty and
food shortage. In examining the causes of contemporary famines in Ethiopia, he
identified two major government policies that can lead to livelihood insecurity:
absence of better shock absorbing capacity during times of natural hazards, and
weakness in intervening through emergency at times of food shortage and starvation
(Degefa, 2005).

2.3. Coping Strategies of Rural Households in Ethiopia

Various literatures on coping strategy emerge due to the need to understand how rural
people survive during times of food crises. Similarly, Yared (1999) noted peasants do
not remain passive at times of seasonal food shortages rather implement seasonal
coping strategies that help balance and maintain their economic and food security.

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After Corbett’s (1998) case studies from South Asia, it was identified that rural
people
facing food crises first use those strategies which have little long- run cost (such as
drawing down savings and calling on remittances). Then follows strategies with
higher long run costs such as selling the households’ plough. Finally there are
strategies that show economic destitution and failure to cope. These include leaving
their village in search of better livelihood options. Similarly, Stephen Devereux
argued that peasants fist sell an asset that minimizes the return lost per unit of cash
raised by its sell (Devereux, 2001). These sequences are also indicated by Watts
(1983) where he has explained the importance of cost and reversibility of households’
action apart from the effectiveness of strategy in terms of alleviating household food
shortage. Related field surveys and micro- level intensive studies in rural parts of
Ethiopia also suggest that households employ different coping strategies to survive
seasons of food shortages. Scholars like Dessalegn (1987) and Webb (1994) have
contributed a lot in conceptualizing the “sequencing approach”, which attempts to
depict the sequence of progressively economically unattractive steps that peasants
take to deal with increasingly severe food shortages. These are summarized as
follows. Austerity & Reduced consumption: this encompasses resource management
actions such as altering the mix of food items and reducing their variety so as to
balance the needs of the family. In addition to the efficient use of family resources,
women strive to augment their food by engaging in spinning, cotton basketry,
hairdressing, petty trading, selling labor and fuel wood (Dessalegn, 1987).
Cooperation among the villagers: though mutual beneficial deals vary from
community to community. Cooperation in local community involves borrowing grain,
bartering foodfor assets, mortgaging of assets, setting up credit, etc. (Dessalegn,
1987).
Temporary migration: this involves the movement of individual peasants in search of
employment, when they are faced with food shortage or when they recognize that
food shortage occurs. Disaster victims migrate to surplus or famine deficit areas and

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daily labor in urban areas are opportunities that are tapped during the temporary
migration. Divestiture and Asset Disposal: in his case study from Wollo, Dessalegn
(1987) stated that the system of divestiture adopted by peasants varies from family to
family, and is always selective and gradual. At certain point in distress cycle, peasants
sell their smaller stock first, followed by young cattle, then by cows, and finally work
oxen. In most cases asset disposal is made for at least three reasons: to purchase food
for the remaining stock, to by grain (food) and to facilitate migration by either leaving
some assets with relatives or selling them. Crises migration: this involves mass
migration, death, and wide scale dislocation of communities. In times of drought
where all other strategies, as noted above are tried sequentially, families enter the
final stage of death and disposal. This usually happens when all normal systems
collapse, whereby the members of the community can no longer overcome the food
crises (Dessalegn, 1987). However, there are arguments against a strictly sequential
approach in conceptualizing peasant coping strategies. In Corbett (1988) as cited in
Yared 1999, it has been underlined that peasants utilize different coping mechanisms
simultaneously because one strategy is often inadequate or because they do not want
to exhaust its possibilities. Yared’s study in Wogda, in Northern Shoa also revealed
that better understanding of coping strategies followed by rural households require
due consideration of the availability of prerequisite resources such as animals, labor,
and inputs; household economic status and productivity; and values regarding wage
labor and loans. Besides, severity of food and cash shortages, relative importance of
consumption items, variation in market prices and animal physical status, and the
conditions of environmental and
economic systems are important determinants in the type and pattern of coping
strategies pursued by a household during food shortages (Yared, 1999).

2.4. Review of Relevant Policies and Strategies related to Food Security

in Ethiopia

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The 1992 IGAD food security study indicated that Ethiopia has the highest number of
food insecure people in Sub-Sahara Africa (Tesfaye and Debebe, 1995).Both chronic
food insecurity, which originates mainly from a high ratio of urban unemployment
and limitations of rural holdings, and transitory food insecurity that emanates from
recurring disasters (mainly drought), displacement of people and refugee inflows are
critical concerns in the country. An estimated 52 percent of the country’s population
is food insecure (FDRE, 1996). To address the distressing situation of food insecurity,
the Ethiopian Government, in addition to the ongoing macroeconomic policies that
are targeted to re-orient the economy toward a free market system, has endorsed a
number of other policies. Among these are the draft Food Security Strategy, the
National Policy of Disaster Prevention and Management, the Population Policy and
Environmental Policy. Based on the essence of this paper, the Food Security Strategy
of the government is summarized as follows.

2.4 .1. The Food Security Strategy (FSS)

In 1996, the Ethiopian government developed a draft Food Security Strategy and in
1998, a Regional Food Security Program, which was targeted to tackle the problem of
food insecurity in the four major regions namely, Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya and
SNNPR, was developed. The first version of the food security strategy was prepared
in 1996 and was revised recently through intensive dialogue and broad participation
of the federal, regional and donor community.
The revised strategy targeted mainly at the chronically food insecure moisture deficit
and pastoral areas. It is characterized by a clear focus on environmental rehabilitation
as a measure to reverse the current land degradation. At the same time the focus on
biological measures as a source of income generation for food insecure households
differentiates itfrom the 1996 strategy. Water harvesting and introduction of high
value crops, livestock and agro-forestry development have been new elements in the
revised strategy. In recognition that the pursuit of food security is a long term and
multi-sector challenge, institutional strengthening and capacity building is included as

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sectoral element of the strategy. As in the past, however, the overall objective of the
FSS is to ensure food security at household level, while the rural development
policies and strategies (ADLI), would focus on ensuring national food self-
sufficiency (FDRE,2002). The strategy is intended to address both supply and
demand sides of the food equation: availability and entitlement, respectively with in
the framework of National Agricultural and Rural Development Strategies. This
could be affected from the perspective of ensuring both food security at national and
household levels taking in to consideration the diverse nature of the country’s
economy. The strategy adopted rests on three pillars. Increasing the availability of
food through domestic (own) production; ensuring access to food for food deficit
households; and strengthening emergency response capabilities (FDRE, 2002). These
three pillars are briefly revised here under.

2.4.1.1 Increasing Domestic Production

According to the strategy, availability of food is going to be increased by farming
intensification and opening up new lands for cultivation, as well as diffusion of
simple technology packages to small land holder farmers in areas where there is
reliable rainfall. These include introduction of irrigation in areas with less reliable
rainfall; and enhancement of livestock products through improved livestock breeds,
better nutritious animal feeds and better animal services as the main ingredients to
stimulate increase in food production. In addition, to promote food production, the
strategy anticipates to create a stable macroeconomic environment, encourage the
private sector to invest in agricultural production, processing and marketing, intensify
agricultural research andtraining programs, strengthen security of access to land and
improve small farmers’ access to better rural roads to promote the expansion of rural
enterprises that generate non farm incomes. In addition, the strategy incorporates the
need to create employment, increase and diversify agricultural exports and address
the specific problems of pastoralareas (Dagnew, 2000).

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2.4.1.2 Ensuring Access to food (demand side).
Food insecure farming households as well as the non- farming community get some
and /or all of their food from the market. Farmers need market to supplement their
own production while the later use it as the only source. To purchase food from the
market, households need sufficient income that can cover at least their minimum food
and nonfood requirements. However, many households in the drought prone and
moisture deficit as well as urban areas lack sufficient income to meet their basic
needs (FDRE, 2002).With respect to the above perspective, the revised strategy has
indicated food security measures aimed at addressing demand side problems within
the framework of the Rural Development Policies and Strategies. These include the
following.

A. Micro and Small-scale Enterprises

The envisaged market led agricultural development is expected to lead to large-scale
direct and indirect growth in non- farm incomes and employment. To this effect, the
strategy points out promoting and strengthening micro and small scale enterprise
development through industrial extension services. These developments are believed
to
create additional employment opportunities in the private sector (FDRE, 2002).

B. Improving the Food Marketing System

The policy of the government regarding agricultural marketing and distribution is to
encourage the participation of the private sector and cooperatives to improve the
efficiency of the system. On the marketing front, parastatal business enterprises are
expected to play significant roles in stabilizing prices as well as reaching farmers who
are far from agricultural input market. To benefit from all these policy measures, the
food security strategy emphasizes on measures related to establishment of market
stabilization schemes (for prices of strategic food crops) along with agricultural price
and market information system (FDRE, 2002).

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C. Supplementing Employment and Income- generating Schemes
The strategy points out off-farm income generating activities would help supplement
own production for a considerable number of farmers as coping mechanisms during
periods of food shortages. To this effect public employment generation schemes
(EGS and FFW) are proposed. This would intern help contribute to soil conservation,
the construction of roads, small-scale irrigation, water supply and sanitation. This
again leads to food production increase, reduce real rural food prices and improved
health conditions. It would also help improve environmental protection and natural
resource conservation.

D. Targeted Program
These programs are primarily designed to transfer resources aimed at both developing
capacity for self provisioning and support vulnerable groups, who would not be
capable of self –provisioning during short and medium term. The former scheme is
aimed at provision of inputs (seed and fertilizer), small agricultural tools and
implements to resource poor farmers (food insecure) extending small loans to
destitute women to help them develop sustainable livelihood. The latter scheme
involves cash transfers to orphans, the aged and handicapped or self targeting food
subsidies for particular vulnerable groups (FDRE, 2002).
2.5 . Determinants of food security
According to international fund for agricultural development ( IFAD) technical paper, 1992 ,

number of inter related factors determine food security situation varying from immediate factors

which affect food supply around household level to basic factors which conditions overall

economic system of the country ( Mulat ,al,1995:8) the state of house hold food security is

generally affected by two major determinants availability of food and accessibility to it. The

formal is further influenced by the different source of food availability in the house hold (Ibid).

Optimal physical, cognitive, and emotional development and function in humans

requires access to food of adequate quantity and quality at all stages of the lifespan
(Cook and Frank, 2008). In developed countries food security is defined as access to
nutritionally adequate, safe, and personally acceptable foods and the ability to acquire

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them in a socially acceptable way (Parnell and Smith, 2008).
Access to different resource and the pattern to social support have grater impact on
procurements strategies of food supplies.
According to Mulat , the basic resources which determine the possibility of increasing
entitlements to good are like cash , labor , markets , and public services .
And the social support pattern which allows additional possibility of exploiting the
existing facilities and indigenous coping mechanisms against shocks in the society .
Above all the economic structure and political conditions of a given country and the
international economic environment highly determine the realization of house hold food security
(IFAD: 1992).

2.6. Factors that leads to low food crop production

A. Land factor
Land is the most basic resource for peasants life, landlord for government and so on. However,
the majorities of peasants were landless or use small and fragmented farmland. Most peasants
cultivate an area of land that is too small, often less than one hectare, which in turn determined
by available labor and oxen power. Most households involved in Ethiopia are small holder
farmers who have an average less than two hectares of land. Due to this farmers produce low
crop production. Ethiopia is also exposed to various level of soil erosion. The soil erosion may
be due to deforestation of land to expand arable land .This erosion in many areas has lost some
biological productive and physical properties needed for optimal plant growth. As a result, the
people suffered by food insecurity due to defrosting their productive land and unable to buy food
from the market (Kuris,2006).

B. Environmental Factors
Environmental factors include land, water, vegetation, soil, and climate upon which agricultural
activities (crop production, livestock rearing, fishery, forestry, agriculture, horticultureetc) are
based.Hence, any hazard against these resources can affect food security situation of a given
community (Yared,2001).

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However, the degree of environmental influence varies depending on the level of development,
and subsistence farmers in developing regions are generally regarded as more susceptible to
environmental shocks (Degefe,2002)

C. Economic factors
Some of the manifestation of economic problems that are considered as the constraints of
agricultural production, includes lack of cash, absence of off-farm income, shortage of farm
oxen, shortage of modern farm inputs, traditional farm implements and practices. In examining
the implications of these constraints, one stated that farmers will no ox are more vulnerable to
household food shortage as they rent out their land to other farmers with better pulling power or
has to get oxen on a rent which makes them loose some of their produce through shares
(Degefe,2002)

D. Social factors
According to Degefa (2002), social factors such as shortage of human labour, health problems,
low level of education, poor food rationing and absence of saving tradition are among the causes
to the occurrence of seasonal food shortage in farm household.

E. Poor harvest and decline in yield Per hectare

In Ethiopia small holder farming is characterized on the traditional tools and farming tools
practices. There is low application of modern input such as fertilizer, pesticides, improved seed
and modern farm tools. As a result the majority of the rural population were unable to acquire
access to enough food for family consumption through own production and purchase from
market (Kuris ,2006)

2.7. Components of high yield production system

Seed industry: a viable and aggressively function of seed industry is the engine that drives the
transformation from traditional agriculture to the technology based modern agriculture. All other

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inputs and improved production practices rely on good seed for their effectiveness. The
introduction of hybrid seed into the production system has triggered the emergence of food and
successful seed industries and eventually increased crop production in other countries such as
India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia needs seed industries that is properly linked to the research
and extension system as well as the end user of the need, the farmers to contribute significantly
to fight famine and hunger in the country in sustainable manner (FAO report, 2000)

2.8. Empirical Literature Review

Now a day the production and its productivity to sustain food security is the main question. As
sdthe result of this, different authors and researchers are tried to those problem.
Gemechu Elemu under took research on thetopic of "the potential performance of major crop
production for food sufficiency" in case of Kofele woreda 2010 are relate with this paper and
adress the woreda's problem which identified that, the major crop production has essential to
ensure foodufficiency.
Also a research conducted by Adamu Deksisa under the title of "the performance of crop
production sub-sectors "in 2008 .He tried to address the major factors that affect crop production
in the mentioned woreda.

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 CHAPTER THREE
3. Research Design and Methodology
3.1. Description of the study area
3.1.1. Location
According to data gathered from the woreda administrative office, Meskan woreda is one of the
13 woredas found in Guraghe zone of south nations nationalities people's regional state .The
capital of the woreda is Butajira , which is 135 km from south of Addis Ababa. The district is
surrounded by Sodo woreda in north, Silti woreda (Silte zone) in south, Kokir Gedebano woreda
(Guraghe zone) in west and Oromia region in northeast.

3.1.2. Physical characteristics

Meskan woreda is characterized by undulated with hill and plain topography ranging between
1501-3000 metres above sea level. It consists of warm temperate (woinadega) climatic zone and
the annual rainfall varies between 855 mm-1100 mm per year. Average temperature varies
between 17 c and 25 c (CSA ,2005).
The district covers a total area of 227000 sq km.From the total area 73% of the land is cultivated,
21% grazing ,0.8% is natural forest ,3% housing,0.2% water body and the remaining 2% is
belongs to plateau, rock's and unproductive land (Meskan woreda Agricultural Office 2007).

3.1.3. Population, Religion and Culture

According to the 2002 housings and population census the total population was 152, 598 of
which 77,103 (50.5 %) are male and 75,495 (49.5 %) are female.
The major ethnic group of the woreda is subdivided into the Meskan (major), silti, sodo
(guraghe) and mareko clans. The population is predominantly Muslims and the majority among
the sodo practice the Christian orthodox domination.

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 3.1.4. Socio-economic profile
Rural households live in traditional round house (tukuls) made of wood and plastered with clay,
covered by thatched roofs. The majority of rural households share their living with their domestic
animals. Water (for both human and animal use) is mostly obtained from spring, river and well.
The majority of farmers are engaged in subsistence agriculture taking place on small and
fragmented plots through the employment of oxen and traditional farm implements. Corps like
maize, wheat , enset , teff are the major staples in the woreda .Poor farmers often take recourse to
petty trade and hired labor to supplement meager income derived from farm activities.

3.1.5. Infrastructure and marketing services

In the district there are some infrastructures that benefit the local people and the surrounding
areas. Among the infrastructures 3 hospitals, one Butajira General Hospital, one special hospital
(Dukuman), the other is private hospital of Martha hospital, 11 health clinics, 42 elementary and
junior school, 4 secondary, 2 preparatory school, 2 tele center and 1 postal center.
The Addis Ababa to Hosa'na , Butajira to Zeway and the recently constructed Butajira to Welkitie
roads play a great role on transportation facilities for the area.
There are also four major market places in the woreda.These are arib gebeya in Butajira , kidame
gebeya in Enseno town, hamus gebeya in Hamus gebeya town, and wodo gebeya in Bidara town
(Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office, 2007)

3.2. Source and types of data collection

For the study purpose both primary and secondary data were used (collected)from different
source.Primary data gathered by the researcher himself and for the first time. This data were
obtained from sample farmers by means of questionnaires, informal interview and secondary
data were collected from the woreda's different offices like Meskan woreda agricultural office,
meskan woreda administrative, office and books that are relevant to the study. The questionnaires
are concern on farmers demographic,their farm characteristics of production and ownership of
the respondents (farmers).

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3.3. Sampling Technique and Sample Size
Random sampling technique was used to select the sample respondents in the study area, due to
it, gives equal chance for all population and also due to financial and time constraint and
absolute coverage of the settlement is not practical for this study. From the total kebeles the
researcher randomly select 3 kebeles from the woreda are and 40 male household and 10 female
household headed were selected from this sample kebeles. From the total population of each
kebele (i.e. Dobena 8000 populations, Beresa 7000 population, Dobo Toto 6200 population) this
is because of shortage of finance, time and other logistics.

3.4. Method of Data Analysis

After data was collected, qualitative data were trans formed to descriptive method of data
analysis were found to be important for transfer the raw data information that was made them
easy to understand and interpreted. In this study descriptive statistics such as percentage, graphic
and tabular forms are used.

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 CHAPTER FOUR
4. Discussion and Major Findings
4.1. Characteristics of respondents
4.1.1. Age
The study focused on the respondents who were selected from three (3) kebeles in Meskan
woreda.The result of questionnaire survey shows that the respondents were lies between 18-65
age.

Table 4.1.1 Age composition of respondents

No Age Number of respondents
Percent
1 18-25 6 12
2 26-34 16 32
3 35-43 11 22
4 44-51 9 18
5 52-65 8 16
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
From the above table the age composition of the respondents large or low number of respondents
were in age between 26-34 and 35-43 , which is 32% and 22% and the lower number is age
between 18-25, which is 12%.From this we can understand that age has direct influence on crop
production and food security. Age who have large number have good ability to contribute to
farming activity, but age which have lower number were less to contribution to the farming
sector.

4.1.2. Sex composition

The survey sample collected from head of household (respondents) live in woreda randomly 50
(100%) respondents in 4 selected kebeles.
The following table summarizes the sex profile of respondents.

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Table 4.1.2. Sex composition of respondents

No Sex Nunber of respondent Percent

1 Male 40 80
2 Female 10 20
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
The above table shows that their sex compositions of respondents 40 (80%) households are male
and 10 (20%) households are female of the total population of respondents.

4.1.3 Martial status of respondents

The marital status of the respondents of the study area were more of them are married
households , however some of them were single, while others are divorced and widowed due to
different socio-economic factors.

Table 4.1.3 Martial status of respondents

No Marital status No of respondents Percent
1 Married 39 78
2 Divorced 3 6
3 Widowed 7 14
4 Single 2 4
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
As the table 4.1.3 shows 78% of the respondents were married households while others were
divorced, widowed and single are 4%,14, and 4% respectively. Marital status has its own effect
on the productionof crop and food security. Which means when a person who has wife is actively
participate and a person who have no wife are not actively participate.
4.1.4. Family Size of respondents
Family size is negatively related with households food security and directly related with
production and its productivity. Households with large family size more likely to food insecurity
as compared with to household's small size , but household with large family size has more labor
force to produce more output.

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Table 4.1.4. Family size of respondents
No Family size No of respondents Percent
1 1-2 5 10
2 3-4 29 58
3 5-7 14 28
4 >8 2 4
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
The table above shows that 58% of the respondents have family size between 3-4 while 28% of
them have family size between 5-7were large number of family size and 10% of the respondents
have family size 1-2 and 4% of respondents family size> 8 were low number of family size. The
number of family size affects the consumption of family members.

4.1.5. Educational status of respondents

Education is one the factors that is considered as influencing the decision of household. As
obtained from survey, 26% of the respondents are illiterate, 54% of the respondents are
Primary educated while 18% of them are secondary literate and 2%were preparatory.

Table 4.1.5 Educational status of respondents

No Education Male Femal Total Perce

1 Ilitrate 7 6 13 26
2 Primary 23 4 27 56
3 Secondary 9 - 9 18
4 Preparatory 1 - 1 2
Total 40 10 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
4.1.6. Occupation of respondents

The data from sample survey show most of respondents are employed on farm and non-farming
together. Also the data shows that, the people employes on both farm and non-farm are
exercising better in countervailing growth (sufficient) large for their family members than those

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who depends on farming.

Table 4.1.6 Occupation of respondents

No Occupation Number of respondents Percent

1 Farm 45 90
2 non-farm - -
3 Both 5 10
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015

4.1.7. Land holding size of respondents

Land is the major input for production and its size has positive influence on the household's food
security. Since farmers with large land size are relatively food secured while those respondents
with low land size suffer food insecurity problem.
Table 4.1.7 Land holding size of respondents
No Land/hectar No of respo Percent
1 0-0.5 10 20
2 1-2 38 76
3 3-4 - -
4 >5 2 4
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
The table above shows that from the respondents who have land size below one hectare are
totally low reproductive which, indicate they have no sufficient production to sustain food to
their family members. But the respondents which have land size between one or more than one
are highly productive. Due to this they have sufficient food for their families.
4.1.8. The annual yield of production of respondents
The annual production of the respondents survey shows that each selected household has an
average of 31.8 quintal per year. The maximum production of respondents per annually was 52
quintal while the minimum production was 11 quintal.The ability of feeding sufficient food is
depends on family size.The family with large family size consumes more. Whenever, they
produce more they are not consume sufficient food for their families. The following table shows

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more information.
Table 4.1.8. The annual yield of production of respondents.
No production per quintal number of respondents Percent

1 10-20 12 24
2 21-30 12 24
3 31-40 9 18
4 41-50 10 20
5 > 50 7 14
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
As the table shows above, respondents who have below 30 quintal per year are low producers
and have no enough food for their families, while above 10 and small family size produce more
production and sufficient food.

4.1.9. Food Feeding Per Day

According to the given data, most of the respondents under the study were not food sufficient.
But most of them usually eats three times a day. Since they eats three times per a day, the food
they feeding is low calorie which indicates that most respondents are affected by insufficient
food diet. Due to this the farmers were unable to work hard on their farming activity.

4.1.10. Ploughing System of the Respondents

Technologically all respondents trussing system shows that, they are depend oxen and use their
own labor, which make the production of the farmers low. As the result of this, the farmers were
unable to sufficiently good for sowing their land on a time. A number of respondents whose
production is suffered by variation of rainfall which is a result of backward technology system
are using labor and oxen with annual period of two terms.

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 4.1.11. Factors that affect crop production of households under the study area

Different factors have their own impacts on the production of each household. As different
respondents mentioned their production and productivity of their land. The table below shows
that number of respondents whose production are suffered by different factors.
Table 4.1.9 factors that affect crop production of households under the study.

No Problems Number of respondents Percent

1 Financial 18 36
2 Shortage of land 16 32
3 Shortage of rainfall 12 24
4 Other factors 4 8
Total 50 100
Source: own survey 2015
The tables above shows that farmers under the study area are affected highly by financial,
shortages of land and shortage of rainfall are the major problems which accounts for affectance
of production highly while the minimum factors are other factors like failure during harvest
crops are some of the problems studied under the area.

4.1.12. Access to credit and source of credit of the respondents

Access to credit is the major factor that affects productivity under the study. This is examined
from their performance that, most households under the study area , which gets credit service are
performing more than those who have no access to credit in the area. According to those who get
credit service are food self-sufficient than those who does not get credit service.

4.1.13. Respondents vision to overcome the factor of crop production and its productivity to
ensure food security

To overcome the problem of crop production and its productivity to ensure food security,
respondents forecasted some idea which can improve the current service problem in the study
area .This indicates provision of credit in large proportion provision of improved seed,

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pesticides, insecticide, fertilizers, farmland and using irrigation river and so on.

4.1.14. Government plan to improve food security and increase production and its
productivity

Increasing agricultural production in the country is the major goal of Ethiopian government to
eradicate poverty (hunger) from the country. To meet this goal Ethiopian government work with
UNDP (United Nations Development Program) and WB (World Bank) to support development
of food security in Ethiopia. The work together at national level to increase agricultural
productivity, enhance market access for key crops and livestock's product and improved food
security.
By the same truth, there is government plan in the study area to improve crop production and its
productivity to ensure food security in Meskan woreda. These are:

1. providing farmers with improved access to knowledge and information, market finance and
other service through support from farmers training center (FTC), agricultural workers advice
through union and other public and private advisory service.

2. Strengthening chains to increase the value and volume of sale of key selected agricultural
commodities like improved seed, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and other through public union
government organs.

3. Eventually the courage of credit service at time when farmers require purchasing agricultural
inputs.

4.2 Secondary Data Analysis

The area highly produces crop production. This is due to the climate in the area is more suitable
for sedentary farming. The crop production sub-sector is dominated by small scale farmers who
adopt low input and hold one or less than one hectare of land and they are depend on rainfed
farming system with traditional technologies.

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 4.2.1. Production of crops
4.2.1.1 Maize production
The cereal crop maize, for the first time was introduced to Ethiopia by the Portuguese in the 16
th and 17 th centuries. Maize mostly grow in the medium altitude of warm temperate(woinadega)
climatic region.This crop widely produced in Meskan woreda due to the areas, .suitable to maize
production. The production of maize is depend on the favorability of climatic condition when
there is moderate rainfall, the farmers produce and use more land, but when climate condition
become unfavorable they use less land and shift the land to other crop.And also the consumption
of maize has increased due to food scarcity problem and low income household in the rural area .
The following table gives information about total area cultivated for maize, productivity per
hectare, price per quintal of maize for successive six years as follows.
Table 4.2.1.1.Maize Production

Year Area productivity per Total production

Average Change in change in
hectar Price/quintal Cultivated production
land

2009 6150 37.5 230625 280 - -

2010 4269 32 136608 300 -1881 -94017
2011 6720 34.49 231772.8 320 2451 95164.8
2012 6308 53.0 328018 330 -412 96245.8
2013 5043 53 267279 360 -1265 -60739
2014 5418.5 58.5 316982.25 400 375.5 49703.25
Source: own survey 2015
Among other cereal crops maize is the largest crop production in Meskan woreda .The above
table 4.2.1.1 shows land cultivation under maize production is decrease in the year 2010, 2012,
and 2013 but increased in a year 2011 and 2014.
According to table 4.2.1.1 the total production has been increasing in 2010 and 2013 which
shows that the climate condition, use of natural fertilizer and other inputs are factors for this
growth.
As the table 2.2.1.1 the productivity of maize shows upward and downward from year to year
.On average continuous increase shown from 2009 to 2013, but to this the cultivation land area is

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decrease as well as productivity was decreased .The highest output of maize was recorded in
2014 and the lowest is in year 2010 are 58.5 and 32 quintal per hectare respectively (Meskan
Woreda Agricultural Office, 2015).

Average per quintal was continuously increased because of high increasing of maize
consumption in the study area.

4.2.1.2. Wheat Production

Ethiopia is a gene center for durum (macaroni) type of food which account for more than 2/3 of
the total amount of wheat cultivated (Tadesse and Asmare, 2002).
It is an important raw material for food processing industries in Meskan woreda. Next to maize it
is the second largest crop product produced in the woreda. At the same time manner wheat is the
most important product which is used to suitable food and source of income for the local farmers
and it accounts 30% of the total crops produced in the woreda (Meskan Woreda Agricultural
Office, 2015)

Table 4.2.1.2 Total production and cultivated area under wheat production are illustrated below the table.

Year Area Productivity Total Average Change Change in

Per hectare production Price In cultivated production
Land
2009 2503 22 55066 380 - -
2010 5565 24 133560 380 3062 78494
2011 2396 23.41 56090.36 410 -3169 -77469.64
2012 2509.5 26.5 66501.75 400 113.5 60900.39
2013 2148 29 62292 430 -361.5 -4209.75
2014 2968 35 103880 480 820 41588
Source: Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office, 2015
The largest area cultivated under wheat production was 5565 hectare in 2010 and the smallest
was in 2013, which is 2148 hectare, whereas the maximum total production obtained were
133560 and 62292 quintal respectively. The productivity of wheat shows more or less consistent
trend relative to other major production per hectare.

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As data obtained from Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office shows that productivity fluctuates
year to year in 2002 the highest production while in 2003 , the smallest production. This
indicates that the production of wheat depends on the climate condition and other farming inputs.

4.2.1.3. Teff production

The name teff is believed to be derived from Amharic word the name teff meaning lost.It is
stable food in conferral and northern part of the country and it is endemic cereal crop used to
make known flat bread (injera)(Ethiopian Economy Grade 12 Economics Text Book, 2008).

At the same time teff is the most important product which produced in Meskan woreda and used
as stable food and source of income for local farmers. It constitutes about 20% of the total crop
production in woreda (Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office, 2015)

Table 4.2.1.3 Production and cultivated area under teff production

Year Area Productivity Total production Average price Change in cultiv Change in
Per hectare Per hectare Ated land production
2009 3116 9 28044 620 - -
2010 3049 12 36588 640 -67 8544
2011 3136 14.53 45566.08 670 87 8978.08
2912 3168.75 12 38025 720 32.75 -7541.08
2913 3459 21 72639 780 290.25 34614
2014 3494 23 80362 860 35 7723
Source: Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office, 2015
Due to several factors, the total area cultivated, total production and productivity under teff
production fluctuates year to year during the study year. This fluctuation was not equally
applicable to the total cultivate total production and productivity.
According to table 4.2.1.3. Large area of land was cultivated under teff production was in
2013.The area of cultivated land under teff production was increasing on the study year except in
2010.The highest and the lowest teff production was recorded in 2014 and in respectively.
The total production of teff was continuously increasing except in 2012,in this year there was no
sufficient rainfall due to this the production was decreased (Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office,
2015)

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Due to several factors, the total area cultivated, total production and productivity under teff
production fluctuates year to year during the study year. This fluctuation was not equally
applicable to total cultivate, total production and productivity.
According to table 4.2.1.3. large area of land was cultivation under teff production was in
2013 .The area of cultivated land under teff production was increasing on the study year except
in 2010.The highest and the lowest teff production was recorded in 2014 and in 2009
respectively. The total production teff was continuously increasing except in 2012, in this year
there there was no sufficient rainfall .Due to this the production was decreased (Meskan Woreda
Agricultural Office, 2015)

4.2.1.4. Sorghum Production

Sorghum cereal crop production contributed to the fourth largest crop production in Meskan
woreda.It is widely known by almost all society of the area and used as food source of income
for the producers.The total area cultivated, total production, productivity per hectare of sorghum
are shown below.

Table 4.2.1.4 Total production , average price and cultivated area under sorghum production .
Year Area Productivity per Total produ Average price Change in cultiv Change in
hectare ction Per quintal Ated land production
2009 767 25 19175 310
2010 422 23 9706 330
2011 750 28 21000 300
2012 771 30 23130 360
2013 1003 26.5 26579.5 400
2014 799 32 25568 430

Source:Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office 2015

According to data obtained from Meskan woreda agricultural office, sorghum production was
declined in the second year, for example the total production declined from 19175 ,in 2001 to
9706 quintal in 2002.
From the table above, the total area cultivated under sorghum production shows fluctuation and it

33 | P a g e
is small compared with other crops.Example maize,wheat, teff .For instance in 2002 the total
area cultivated under sorghum was 422 hectare. It was declined to 345 hectare from 2001 .But
after three years all other years of cultivated area of sorghum is increased.

4.2.1.5. Soybean Production

Soybean is pulses part of production which grown in summer season and highly depend on rainy
season. This pulse crop product is grown in Meskan woreda , mainly as cash crop product to
local farmers. The total cultivation area is mostly low compared with other crop products.
Total production of soybean is depend on cultivated land and improved seed and fertilizer.
The total production, average price per quintal and total cultivated land under soybean are listed
below.
Table 4.2.1.5. Total production and cultivated area under soybean production.

Year Area Productivity per Total production Average price Change in Change in
Hectare Per quintal Cultivated In production
land
2009 619 14 8666 300
2010 1867 17 31739 270
2011 718 20.44 14675.92 330
2012 751.75 17.3 13005.25 370
2013 668 16 10688 400
2014 781 20 14420 430
Source : Meskan Woreda Agricultural Office 2015
As table 4.2.1.5 So many factors, affect the production of soybean due to shortage of rainfall and
crop diseases.
According to table 4.2.1.5 the large area of land was cultivated under soybean production was in
2002, which indicates of the point of time year highly shortage of rainfall and inconsistent
season. The farmers shift land toward other crops and production of soybean decreases (Meskan
Woreda Agricultural Office ,2015).

The graphical analysis of all corp types are interoprated as follows.

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From the graph above, the first line shows maize production which is highly produced
throughout the study year, except 2002, which is as a result of low rainfall. Due to this the
farmers shift their cultivation toward wheat cultivation on that year, which is illustrated on the
second line. But, it was declined until 2005 then slightly increased in 2006 and the third line
shows teff production which had increasing trend throughout the study year.Because of low
productivity, consumption of teff crop is less in the study area. The remaining fourth and the fifth
lines shows sorghum and soybean production. Both of them are less productive and consumed
under the study area .
qGenerally, production of crops is highly depend on rainfall, fertility of land, fertilizers and other
factors.

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 CHAPTER FIVE
5. Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1.Conclusion
Ethiopia is one of developing countries characterized by low agricultural performance, but the
over all economic activity depend on agriculture. Poverty is wide spreaded and over half of the
population lives under poverty line. The problem of food shortage have occurred at alarming
magnitude in the country. The economy of the country highly depend on the agricultural
production. But agricultural activity is characterized by low production because of several
factors such as unreliable rainfall, land fragmentation, land degradation, poor soil fertility, crop
disease, lack of farm input, unavailability of credit service and old age persons etc.

SNNPR , is one part of the nine regions of Ethiopia, which is subdivided into zone and this
separated by woreda's that was characterized by those mentioned above problems and low
agricultural productivity.
However, agricultural activity particularly crop production play a major role to contribute high
GNP in the country.
Crop production in Meskan woreda has not been able to satisfy the food requirement of the
people.
Therefore, increasing crop production is the best way to sustain the food in the study area .This
indicated that most of the farm households were active and capable of performing any activity.
But, this activity is varies depending on age group. The active age group and old age group are
higher and low in performing farm activity respectively.
Among the factors that affect crop production, natural forces are beyond the control of the
farmers.

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 5.2. Recommendations
The research analysis has the following policy implications. The study area is characterized by
different socioeconomic problems like high family size, unreliable rainfall, land fragmentation,
lack of farm input, low soil fertility and high dependence on rainfall are the core factors, which
lead the farmers to face a continued down turn trend in the contribution of crop production and
its productivity to ensure food security.

Therefore, the following policy implications are suggested to overcome these problems.

 As variations in the household's family size affects the level of food security, family planning
program should be one of the priority areas in the fight against food insecurity.
 More of illiterate and less educated households more exposed to low crop production and which
leads to unsustainable food security .So to minimize this problem ,the government should be able
to expand education through formally and informally, particularly for the farmers.
 Improving agricultural, especially crop production marketing system through strengthening
private sector in agricultural (crops) market and improve the market imperfection.
 Construction of social services like road, health, and farmers training center, facilitating transport
to keep good food sustainability among households.


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References

Kinfe Abreham (2001) Dynamics of Ethiopian Economy Reform .

Todaro A Model of Labor And Unemployment Ldss 1996
Ethiopian Economy Grade 12 Text Book Second Edition
Alemayehu Seyoum(2004) Ethiopian Economic Association/International Conference. Acbf
Publishing place Addis Ababa.
Ayele Kuris (2004) Introductory Economics Third Edition. Addis Ababa University
_____ (2002) Ethiopian Economy Commercial Printing
Ayele Kuris(2006),Introductory Economics Third Edition.
Befikadu Degefe (2000) Ethiopian Economic Association Volume One And Two Ifsan Printing
Press.
Dessalegn Rahmeto(2003) Small Scale Irrigation And Household Food Security.
Kinfe Abreham Dynamics of Ethiopian Economy Reform 2001.
Todaro A Model of Labor And Unemployment Ldss 1996
Ethiopian Economy Grade 12 Text Book Second Edition
Alemayehu Seyoum(2004) Ethiopian Economic Association/International
Conference. Acbf Publishing place Addis Ababa.
Ayele Kuris (2002) Ethiopian Economy Commercial Printing
Ayele Kuris (2004) Introductory Economics Third Edition. Addis Ababa University
Degefe (2000) Ethiopian Economic Association Volume One And Two Ifsan Printing
Press.
Dessalegn Rahmeto(2003) Small Scale Irrigation And Household Food Security.

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 HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
Awada Campus
College of business and economics department
Department of economics

QUESTIONNARIES
The questionnaries are designed to collect infotmation for accomplishing a research work on the
contribution of crop production and its productivity to ensure food security in case of Meskan
woreda.
You are kindly required to answer the following questionnaries sincerely and honestly .All
information you provide will be keeps strict confidence and it will not use for other purpose
except for intended purpose, so please answer by making<X> in the box where necessary and
thanks you in in advance.

1. Woreda______________________ kebele ____________________

2. sex A. male B. female
3 .Age of respondents A.18-25 B.26-34 C.35-43
D.44-51 E.52-65 F.> 65
4. Marital status A.single B. married C. divorced D. widowed
5. Family size A. 1 B. 2 C.3 D.4 E.5-7 F.>8
6. Educational status A. Illiterate B. Primary school C. Secondary school D. Above
secondary school
7. Occupation A. farmer B.non farmer C.both
8. If your answer in question 7, is farming how many hectare of land do you have ?
______________
9. How much annual yield of production do you get in quintal?
______________________________
10.Do you get sufficient annual food crop?

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A.Yes B.No
11. If your answer is yes how many times does your family feed per day?
A. Two times a day B. Three times a day
C. more than three
12. Which trussing practice do you use for your crop production?
A. Labor B. Tractor C. Both
13. How many times do you produce annually?
A. One time B. Two times C. Three times
14. If your occupation is non-farming do you get sufficient income for your feeding?
A. Yes B. No
15. What factor hinder you to get sufficient food crop?
A. Financial problem B. Land scarce
C. shortage of rain fall
16. Do you have access to credit service? A. Yes B. No
17. If your answer is <yes> in question from where do you get?
A. Bank B. Other
18. In what type do you get A. Borrowing B. Cash C.Gift
19. What is government plan to reduce problem of crop production and its productivity to ensure
food security?
A. By providing improved seed
B. By providing fertilizer
C. By giving awareness to the farmers about extension program
D. By giving credit service

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