Improvement strategies for farming systems in the Eastern Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

57Bezabih Emana and Starck, H., 1992. Improvement strategies far farming systems in the Eastern Highlands of Ethiopia. Agric. Econ., 8: 57-77.Eleven distinct farming systems were distinguishcd, based on selected indicators and locations. The indicators involve the resource basis, cropping pattern and intcnsity, and the major activities including off-farm work. Statistical tests were uscd to vcrify the differences. Accounting for the givcn constraints and for the intcrdcpcndcncies of the system's componcnts, strategies are devcloped to improve their poor economie performance.A linear programming model is used to evaluate the cffects on farm performance of (a) reallocating the existing farm resources, and (b) introduction of improved technologies, The type of relationship among the clements of the farming system determines the ove ra Il outcome of any improvement effort. Groundnut and livestock production are highly competitive. A package of technological innovations is needcd to uchicvc a major improvcmcnt on the smallest farms.