1. Potentials and Opportunities of Spices Production, processing and Marketing in Ethiopia   By Digafie Tilahun Tepi National Spices Research Center February 27,2011

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Ginger (200-250 Q/ha) fresh Yali Boziab10

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

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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. Thank you!!!