Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9600
ISSN: 2155-9600
Andualem Sisay
Nation Media Group of Kenya, Ethiopia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
The second most populous nation in Africa after Nigeria with a population close to 100 million, Ethiopia is a predominantly agrarian nation which ironically remains one of the most food-insecure. Around 80% of Ethiopia��?s population lives in rural parts of the country, hence dependent on agriculture. However, the country has not been able to feed itself and is often dependent on foreign food aid to feed millions of its population. In an attempt to overcome this chronic food self-insufficiency, the government recently has introduced an institution��?Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation (ATA). ATA, which is being mainly financed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has been working with other global partners to boost the productivity of Ethiopian agriculture through the introduction of various technologies. Following the establishment of ATA, the country has also ratified a law that allows the use of genetically modified foods (GMOs). In addition, Ethiopia has also become among the priority countries of President Obama��?s ��?Feed the Future��? program. This paper looks into the history of agriculture and food insecurity, previous attempts to trigger agri-revolution, the recently introduced law and subsequent undertakings and activities on the ground, achievements and challenges in relation to introduction of engineered seeds to Ethiopia and its journey towards food security.
Andualem Sisay Gessesse is an Ethiopian journalist with over a decade of experience in media and communications consultancy. Currently in addition to www. newBusinessEthiopia.com, which he launched in 2009, He is working as resident correspondent journalist for NATION Media Group of Kenya from Ethiopia. As independent consultant, He has also worked for international organizations such as, UNFPA Ethiopia office (United Nations Population Fund), Global Integrity, World Wide Web Foundation, Devex, Kifiya Financial Technology, Techno Brain Ethiopia and Starbucks and Microsoft East and South Africa wing through the PR firm - Bertolli & Associates of Kenya.
Email: andualemsis@gmail.com