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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advantages vs Disadvantages 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

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