Andrea Rüdiger is 34 years old. From Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, she coordinates her team of five who are implementing the project to strengthen the seed sector and conserve genetic resources. "We are helping the Ethiopians to breed locally adapted varieties to ensure that the available seed is not only better, but also available in sufficient quantities. That way, at the end of the day farmers can go and buy a sack of seed in their local shop," explains Rüdiger, who originally comes from Dresden.

The aim is to enhance certified seed, which meets certain criteria, such as high germinating capability. By way of comparison, in Germany a free market regulates supply and demand. "That is not the case here," says Andrea Rüdiger and adds, "There is no free market for seed. Until now four large seed companies have supplied quantities that are well below what is actually needed. Enhanced seed is only used on about 20 per cent of farmland. There is simply too little seed available to push this figure up to 50 per cent."

Breeding makes plants more resilient

Seed breeding can make plants more resistant to pests, plant disease and climatic conditions. Andrea Rüdiger explains, "When we talk about plant diseases, we mean the same one that we have in Europe, like black stem rust in wheat or net blotch.These are seed diseases caused by fungal spores." The result is that the plant doesn’t grow properly and cannot produce the maximum yield. "Sometimes, the plant dies, which is a total write-off," Andrea Rüdiger continues. "You could, of course, use pesticides, but firstly they are very expensive here and secondly, that is not desirable from an environmental point of view."

Securing food and countering poverty

Andrea Rüdiger has been working in Ethiopia for two years now, and the first signs of success can be seen. Since the project was launched, seed cooperatives have supplied 64,000 farmers with high quality wheat and barley seed. "I can see slow but steady change. New varieties of cereals are now on the market that not only offer better yields, but are also more resistant to plant disease and produce good quality crops. Since they are in demand, small farmers generate a higher income." More companies and cooperatives are now producing the high quality seed for these new varieties in the regions, making it accessible to more farmers.

"The consequences of climate change are a massive challenge," says Andrea Rüdiger. "Especially in regions that were already vulnerable to drought, the changes are tangible: rainy seasons are unpredictable and are becoming shorter. To ensure food security and underpin the income of small farmers it is vitally important to breed varieties that are adapted to these new conditions."

It is very important to ensure food security, because Ethiopia’s population is still growing rapidly. For this reason, yields must also increase. Larger harvests mean that farmers can sell their surplus and generate an income. For farms in fertile regions like the Ethiopian Highlands Andrea Rüdiger has one main wish. "Perhaps the farms producing large harvests will be able to grow so much that they create jobs. In principle Ethiopia is a country with an excellent agricultural potential."

This wish is reflected in the approach adopted by the Ethiopian government: On the basis of agriculture, an economic structure is developing with services and manufacturing industry. Agricultural produce, for instance, is processed and exported, and the sector’s contribution to ensuring secure food supplies for the people are made as effective as possible.

Fascinating Ethiopia

Andrea Rüdiger sees Ethiopia as a country of great diversity: in geographical terms – from one of the lowest lying and hottest places on Earth to the Highlands, with mountains towering up to a height of 4,500 metres. "The diversity in terms of flora and fauna is absolutely amazing. The huge cultural diversity in Ethiopia is also fascinating, with its rich musical tapestry, and linguistic diversity; it's the first time I have seen anything quite like it."

She is very grateful to have the opportunity to live and work in this unique country. "When I have the chance to speak to the farmers in the regions, I am always amazed and moved to see how tangibly their lives have changed for the better thanks to the income from seed production. Their homes and lives have improved and now they can offer their children new prospects. That is, of course, a wonderful contribution, which will still be there even after the project comes to an end."

The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has made cooperation with Africa a priority of its international work. The goal is to contribute to food and nutrition security, and to economic development on our neighbouring continent, with its rapidly expanding population. Currently, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and its agencies are working in 28 African states. The central objectives of cooperation are to ensure a sufficient and balanced supply of food by enhancing productivity, quality and sustainability in agriculture and the food industry, as well as promoting food security, and animal and plant health as the prerequisite for Africa participating in regional and international trade. The potential for sustainable forest development and management is also to be developed, vital natural resources conserved, and the resilience of Africa’s agriculture sector strengthened.

You can read more exciting reports about Africa, the young, dynamic continent, and about cooperation with African partners in the latest issue of "Schwarzrotgold" – the magazine of the German Federal Government (German only). You will find the entire issue here as an e-paper.

You can also order the printed version of "Schwarzrotgold" and other publications.