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The production of Eragrostis teff in Ethiopia From seed to market

The production of Eragrostis teff in Ethiopia From seed to market. Hannah Arpke MSc Overseas Rural Development. Country statistics: Inhabitants: 65 million, 2.7% increase / year Total Area: 1.12 million sq km Agricultural Area: 13% cultivated, 40% pasture

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The production of Eragrostis teff in Ethiopia From seed to market

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  1. The production of Eragrostis teff in EthiopiaFrom seed to market Hannah Arpke MSc Overseas Rural Development

  2. Country statistics: Inhabitants: 65 million, 2.7% increase / year Total Area: 1.12 million sq km Agricultural Area: 13% cultivated, 40% pasture Employment: 45% agriculture, 12% industry, 43% services Wealth status: Ranked 171st out of 174 Main exports: Coffee, live animals, hides, gold, oilseed, pulses and qat CIA World Fact Book Source: National Geographic

  3. Main crops grown in Ethiopia Total production: 7 844 509 Mt Source: FAO Total production: 7 844 509 Mt

  4. Introduction to Eragrostis teff (Zucc.)Trotter Taxonomy: • Family: Poaceae, Genus: Eragrostis (“Love-grass”), many fodder species in drier areas such as South Africa, Australia and India -34 different cultivars found in Ethiopia -also known as Poa abyssinica, Eragrostis abyssinica

  5. Introduction to Eragrostis teff History: • Ethiopia centre of origin and diversification • Ethiopia only country to grow Teff as food for human consumption • >66% of population relies on Teff for nutrient supply • 25% of agricultural production (1.9 mill. ha/yr) • South Africa, Yemen, India know it as a fodder genus/species

  6. Introduction to Eragrostis teff Physiology: • Annual tufted grass • Loose or compacted panicle flowers • Grains 1-1.5mm, 2500-3000 seeds/kg • C4 pathway, tetraploid • Shallow, fibrous root system • Tolerant to: drought, water-logging, frost, acid/toxic soils, vertisols

  7. Introduction to Eragrostis teff Uses: • Injera, bread, porrige, gruel, beer, flat bread, high protein, mineral and vitamin content (more than Maize, Sorghum and Wheat) • High quality straw and hay due to higher protein content, digestibility (65%) and palatability; low dry matter content • Fast growing ground cover against erosion • Catch-crop, nurse-crop, fallow crop • Back-up crop in case of failure of Wheat and Barley

  8. Agronomy • 300-2500mm precipitation/year • 1500-3000m a.s.l • Matures in 2-4 months • 200-1500kg/ha, average 910kg/ha depending on practice • Similar yield to wheat although unimproved-great potential • Performs best on heavy, well drained soil

  9. Agronomy Cultivation and sowing • Occurs mainly March to June • 4-8 cultivations with ox-drawn wooden plough to obtain fine till as seeds small • Seeds broadcast at 10-12kg/ha • Covered lightly with brush harrow to obtain good seed-soil contact • Quick germination yet slow growth until roots established

  10. Agronomy Management • Early manual weeding at 7-10 days after sowing • Can outcompete weeds if rain adequate for fast growth • Relatively resistant to most pests and diseases • Low maintenance during growth • Eg. Farmers in Yemen simply scatter some seed on dry soil and return to harvest a good fodder crop after 45 days

  11. Agronomy Harvest and processing • 6-10 dry days prior to harvest ideal to avoid lodging, fungal attack and shattering • End of main rainy season, September-October • Sickle harvest, very labour intensive • Small seed size requires gentle handling against shattering • Threshed using cattle, who also feed on the straw • Can be stored well for 3 years for seed, 5 years for food

  12. Marketing • Three distinct colour classifications determine price: • White, red and brown • White most expensive (£20-35/100kg) • Red and brown (£15-20/100kg) • High price around festive season, especially for white Teff • Sold unprocessed, whole grain • Households process further by taking grain to mills

  13. Advantages: Highly nutritious Great agronomic potential Can grow in a wide ecological range Tolerant to drought, water-logging etc Soil conservation and rehabilitation Fast maturing, backup in cases of disaster High market value Disadvantages: Small seed Shatters Easily “lost” Labour intensive Need for improvement of genetic, technical and labour aspects Advantages vs Disadvantages

  14. References: Board on Science and Technology for International Development (1996). Lost Crops of Africa - Vol.1-Grains. National Academy Press Gibbon, D., Pain, A. (1985). Crops of the drier regions of the tropics. Longman Purseglove, J.W. (1972). Tropical crops-Monocotyledons Vol. 1. Longman Rowland, J.R.J. (1993). Dryland farming in Africa. Macmillan Press, Ltd. Stallkecht, G.F., Gilbertson, K.M., Eckhoff, J.L.(1993). Teff: Food crop for humans and animals. Wiley. under: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/naocrop/proceedings1993/v2-231.html

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