Summary

Discussions between the project team and senior managers and staff of a number of Ethiopian research, development and extension organisations, particularly the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Tigray Agricultural Research Institute and the International Livestock Research Institute, resulted in development of a conceptual framework for ongoing collaboration and identified some 15 discrete areas of opportunity relevant to agro-pastoral and pastoral systems. These discussions included presentation of two seminars by the team and a field trip to the eastern highlands of Tigray.

The conceptual framework for collaboration has the overarching goal of:

“Improved rural livelihoods and resource conservation through support for market development.”

This goal is based on the view that continued fine tuning of subsistence systems will not achieve substantial improvements in rural livelihoods or conserve natural resources. The intention is to assist movement towards a market-based economy so that greater technological advances are possible, the potential for specialization and application of competitive advantage is realized, and the sustainability of natural resource use is enhanced. The current environment in Ethiopia appears to favour such a goal with national agricultural policy since 2002 emphasising the development of market based systems rather than simply food security within subsistence systems.

Potential areas of collaboration are grouped within 2 key issues for agro-pastoral systems (Reducing the resource and production impact of draft power and Improved productivity and sustainability of grazing land), 1 key issue for pastoral systems (Foster regular turnoff of cattle and better grazing management through increased market participation) and 2 ‘overarching’ issues (climate change analysis and capacity building).

Other opportunities for collaboration are also likely (e.g., with DPI Forest Research staff given the importance of Eucalyptus species to the Ethiopian economy) but were not specifically investigated by the project team.

Immediate benefit to NSW achievable through formal collaboration could include:

• Complementary research into mixed species ‘continuous’ production systems.
• Identification of alternative species to Old Man Saltbush (e.g., woody legumes) for incorporation into alley farming systems.
• Professional development for NSW DPI staff involved in bilateral exchanges.
• Cost-recovery based training for Ethiopian professionals or development of extension materials (e.g., glove box guides).

Longer term benefits could include:

• Access to unique genetic resources (e.g., endemic durum wheat varieties or forage species);
• Collection of Ethiopian strains of Russian aphid (a pest of wheat and barley not yet present in Australia) for incorporation into CSIRO screening programs at Montpellier, France;
• Opportunities for NSW businesses in the rapidly growing Ethiopian economy.

A process has been initiated that will lead to submission of a proposal for ongoing collaboration to an international funding agency, through the Ethiopian government, if both parties can agree on satisfactory terms and conditions for continuing involvement.