10th February 2023
Legumes are critically important for food and livelihood security across Ethiopia. However, many legume species are not grown nor consumed on the scale necessary across the nation to deliver key development outcomes spanning sustainability, livelihoods, nutrition and health. To focus and synergise “research for legume scaling” efforts, on 10th February 2023 the EU funded Legumes for Development (or LEG4DEV) research project convened a range of Ethiopian stakeholders involved in legume cultivation and consumption systems, to work together to identify research priorities for scaling of legumes in Ethiopia. The inclusion of legumes in agricultural and food systems is especially crucial as they offer high-quality edible protein and are a vital resource for sustainable protein supply, meeting nutritional needs, and ensuring food security. Additionally, increased legume production can contribute to sustainable land management practices and environmental conservation through reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers, while enhanced soil health.
The Legumes for Development (LEG4DEV) research project is funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) Initiative. The LEG4DEV research project is led by the University of Galway, in partnership with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Wageningen University and Research (WUR), and University of Hohenheim.
The LEG4DEV project workshop occurred in the Haile Hotel, Adama in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, and brought together key partners and stakeholders from multiple sectors involved in scaling legumes in Ethiopia. Representatives from government, private sector, NGOs, farmers organisations, civil society and universities attended the workshop. The objectives of the workshop were to: (1) facilitate consensus building on opportunities and barriers for scaling legumes in Ethiopia and, (2) prioritise technical/policy research questions for more effective scaling of legumes facilitated by the LEG4DEV project.
The workshop was opened by Tagay Hamza Mehamed (Senior Expert in climate resilience and green economy at Ethiopia Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy). Senior Expert Mehamed emphasized the importance of collective efforts to address water, food and energy nexus sustainability in Ethiopia, stating:
“As we delve into the details of this project, it is crucial to recognize the significance of our collective efforts in addressing pressing challenges related to climate change and water, food, and energy nexus sustainability. Ethiopia, like many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, faces complex and interconnected issues that require innovative solutions rooted in scientific research and sustainable practices. This project holds immense promise in promoting agroecological intensification, leveraging the potential of legumes cropping systems to enhance productivity, conserve water resources, and bolster nutritional security in Ethiopia. Moreover, the focus on livelihood resilience underscores our commitment to supporting local communities and fostering sustainable development. Let us use this meeting as an opportunity to exchange ideas, align our strategies, and chart a path towards a more sustainable and resilient future for agriculture in Ethiopia.”
LEG4DEV Co-PI Dr. Dawit Solomon highlighted synergies between the LEG4DEV project and a range of ongoing ILRI projects, including the AICCRA ‘Acclerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research in Africa’ project. Additional remarks were made by LEG4DEV climate scientist Dr. Teferi Demissie from ILRI who provided a overview of climate and crop modelling challenges and opportunities for more effective scaling of legumes for development outcomes in Ethiopia and Africa. In addition, LEG4DEV Co-PI Dr. Paswel Marenya from CIMMYT provided a presentation on CIMMYT’s work with national partners to improve the productivity of legume systems. He particularly emphasised the need for a focus on social inclusion, gender and representation in farmer participatory action research to scale legumes for development outcomes.
LEG4DEV Project Lead PI from the University of Galway, Prof. Charles Spillane, provided an overview of the project and its role, indicating that: “It’s important to do research that is prioritised by scaling partners so that the research conducted by LEG4DEV and partners leads to legume scaling outcomes in Ethiopia. Scaling partners can be government, private sector, NGOs, universities, farmers organisations and public health entities. The ultimate goal is to generate research outputs that can enable scaling partners to more effectively scale legumes to improve sustainability, livelihood and health outcomes in Ethiopia.”
The workshop was facilitated by the intrepid Dr. John Recha, an ILRI scientist working on the LEG4DEV project. A key finding from the multi-stakeholder consultation was that a multipronged approach is necessary to more effectively scale legume production and consumption in Ethiopia and other countries in the region. This includes promoting awareness among farmers and consumers about the benefits of legumes, providing access to quality seeds and inputs, facilitating market linkages and value chains, enhancing extension services, fostering effective policies, and encouraging collaboration between stakeholders. Additionally, investing in research for improved legume varieties and sustainable practices can contribute to the expansion of legume cultivation and consumption, with positive knock-on effects on food security, nutrition, and livelihoods across the country. Overall, all research efforts that can accelerate the strategic scaling of legumes in Ethiopia can help to create a ripple effect of positive impacts, ranging from enhanced agriculture and nutrition to economic empowerment and ecological sustainability.
