Potentials and Opportunities of Spices Production, processing and Marketing in Ethiopia   By Digafie Tilahun Tepi National Spices Research Center E-mail: digafiet@yahoo.com February 27,2011

Introduction Ethiopia is considered as home land for many invaluable natural resources, among others spices are the major ones. Spices well known: Flavouring and culinary uses Colouring potentials at home and in different food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and textile industries. Recognized for their medicinal values and essential oil derivatives.

The cultivation and use of spices is not new to Ethiopia Cont. Historically, spices have a very great importance to the country’s economy as a traditional export commodity.  The cultivation and use of spices is not new to Ethiopia  Spices hold a very peculiar position in the overall cultural heritage of the Ethiopian society. Ethiopia is known as the center of origin and/or diversity for many of these plant species. Kororima, long pepper, fenugreek, black cumin, bishop’s weed, coriander, etc.

Cont.. They are invaluable cash crops for most farmers of Ethiopia: Southern and Southwestern parts of the country. As a cash crop, it is amongst the important crops that fit within the strategy of commercialization of agriculture. It has a high potential of enhancing the purchasing power of the small holding farmers. High potential for expansion and diversification of export earnings of Ethiopia.

Distribution of spices in the country, area by region or zone Potential Spices types Zones of potential production 1 Ginger (Zingibere officinale Rosc.) Kambata Tenbaro , Wolaita, Dauro & Shaka zones of SNNPRS, Pocket areas of Illuababor and east wollega of Oromiya Northern Gondar zone of the Amhara Metekel zone of the Benishangul-Gumuz are the main growing areas of ginger 2 Turmeric (Curcuma domestica) Shaka, and some areas of Bench-maji and Kaffa zones of SNNPRS and Mejenger zone of Gambella regional state 3 Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) High lands of Ethiopia (Arsi, Bale, Gondar) and West-Gojam, Wello, Tigray, Sidamo, etc. 4 Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Harrarghie, Partly central Shoa, Tigray There are 18 agro ecologies and 61 sub- agro ecologies in the country MoA 2000. Several spice crops with different ecological requirement are growing in different parts of the country.

Cont. No Potential Spices types Zones of potential production 5 Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) Centeral Shoa, Harrarghie, Tigray, ... 6 Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Southwestern Ethiopia 7 Korarima (Aframomum corrorima B. Jansen) Kaffa, Bench-Maji, Gamogofa, Illubabor, West and east wellega Northwestern Ethiopia, 8 Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum L.) 9 Cinnamon (Cinnamomu verum) 10 Long pepper (Piper capense) 11 Vanilla (Vanilla fragrance)

It is still hardly organized Cont.. Despite all the potentials, opportunities and its long history of cultivation and use, the sub-sector had remained unexploited. It is still hardly organized Characterized with low productivity and quality. Production system is mainly based on traditional and primitive practices. In general Producers in the sub sector seldom use modern technologies, (the desired inputs like pesticide, fertilizer and improved seeds)

Employing poor post harvest handling and processing techniques Cont.. Employing poor post harvest handling and processing techniques The prevailing production system is principally rain-fed Farmers do not allocate sufficient plot of land for the production of spices Therefore, the nation could benefit a lot from production and marketing of these crop species, if the sub-sector is given peculiar attention and aggressively promoted

Research achievements on Spices Since the inception of spices research, commandable efforts had been made and invaluable research achievements had been recorded in different disciplines: Breeding Agronomy/physiology Post-harvest handling and processing Several varieties (both highland seed spices and lowland spices) were released for nationwide production.

Ginger (200-250 Q/ha) fresh Yali Boziab 10

Black pepper (19-26 Q/ha) dry Gacheb Tato 11

Cardamom (1.8-2 Q/ha) dry Gene 12

Turmeric (200-250 Q/ha) fresh Dame 13

Area of recommendation Highland seed spices No. Type of technologies Yield (Q/ha) Center Area of recommendation Status of utilization No of varieties 1 Black cumin ( Aden & Dershaye) 16 W/Genet/Melkassa Highlands » 2 Natio Black cumin (Darbera) 15-19 Sinana ARC 1 Regi 2 Fenugreek (Challa/FG-47-01) 12-20 Debre Zeit ARC Fenugreek (Hundeol) 12-22 3 Coriander (Weltae I/229710) 10-24 Coriander (Indium 1) 12-23 Total 7

Pipe line varieties of vanilla and ginger Cont.. Pipe line varieties of vanilla and ginger

Cont.. On top of the wide array of tasks carried out on germplasm enhancement Studies on important cultural practices such as: Appropriate planting time Type and size of planting materials Land preparation methods Field management Type of growth media Propagation method Nursery and field management practices Harvesting and PH handling and processing

Future Prospects Suitable agro ecologies to produce spices High local consumption culture in addition to the foreign market Several varieties of spices had been identified and released for production

Cont.. The varieties are proved comparable in yield and/or quality with the commercial varieties produced in the major producing countries of the world. Recently the government has given special attention for the development of the sub-sector The spice research program is gaining considerable attention

Conclusion and Recommendations These invaluable crop spp should be exploited efficiently by the smallholder farmer, as well as the private sector. Consequently, with popularization of available improved technologies, together with the prevailing serious commitment of all the concerned bodies it will not be too far that the nation starts to reap the untapped potentials of these crops.

Thank you!!!