Location:
International Food Policy Research Institute
2033 K Street, NW, Washington, DC
Fourth Floor Conference Facility
Thursday, April 11, 2002
3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
R.S.V.P.

Abstract
This paper, upon which the seminar will be based, investigates the livelihood strategies and land management practices used in the highlands of Tigray, the factors influencing them, and their implications for crop production and income, livestock income and investment, other sources of income, and farmers’ perceptions of land degradation. Several factors commonly hypothesized to have a major impact on land management, incomes and land degradation-including population pressure, small landholdings, access to roads and irrigation, and extension and credit programs-are found to have limited direct impact on total crop production and incomes, though some do influence incomes via their impact on livelihood strategies, and most affect the intensity of crop production. The increase in farming intensity due to these factors has limited impact on total crop production and income due to low marginal product of labor in crop production, limited productivity impact of inputs such as fertilizer and seed in the moisture-stressed environment of Tigray, and limited adoption of such inputs.

We find that profitable opportunities exist to increase agricultural production, household incomes and achieve more sustainable land management in the highlands of Tigray. These opportunities include improvement of crop production using low-external input investments and practices such as terraces, manuring, reduced tillage and reduced burning; improved livestock management; and diversification of livelihoods towards nonfarm activities and small scale livestock such as poultry and beekeeping. The comparative advantage of people in the Tigray highlands is not in intensive cereal crop production but more in such alternative activities. As a result, greater emphasis on developing these alternatives in agricultural extension and other development programs may be fruitful. Food crop production should not be ignored in the development strategy, but less promotion of purchased inputs such as fertilizer and improved seed and greater emphasis on nonfarm activities, livestock and sustainable land management practices may be helpful.

Please RSVP to 202-862-8107 or Email: S.Hill-Lee@cgiar.org.