Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia

Belachew Muche Mekonen

doi:doi:10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11

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Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia

Belachew Muche Mekonen^*

Published in Reports (Volume 4, Issue 4)

Received: 25 October 2024 Accepted: 13 November 2024 Published: 29 November 2024

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Abstract

Rice production in Ethiopia, though not traditionally a staple, has become a key focus in the country’s efforts to enhance food security and reduce dependency on imports. Despite favorable agroecological conditions for rice farming, productivity remains low due to several challenges, including inadequate access to improved seeds, irrigation systems, and modern mechanization. This study evaluates the challenges and opportunities for practicing irrigated rice production in Ethiopia, analyzing both challenges and opportunities through a mixed-methods approach. Primary data was collected via field surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers across diverse regions. Key challenges include poor water management, limited adoption of modern technologies, high input costs, weak market access, climate variability, and infrastructure limitations. However, Ethiopia's diverse agroecological zones and government support provide opportunities for sustainable rice cultivation, particularly through improved irrigation, adoption of modern technologies, and enhanced market linkages. The study concludes that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving government, NGOs, and farmers is essential to unlocking the potential of irrigated rice production in Ethiopia. Recommendations include improving water management, promoting public-private partnerships, expanding access to credit, and implementing climate-smart agricultural strategies to boost rice production and enhance food security.

Published in	Reports (Volume 4, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11
Page(s)	99-108
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Irrigated Rice Production, Food Security, Challenges and Opportunities, Water Management, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Sustainable Farming Practices

References

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APA Style

Mekonen, B. M. (2024). Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia. Reports, 4(4), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11

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ACS Style

Mekonen, B. M. Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia. Reports. 2024, 4(4), 99-108. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11

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AMA Style

Mekonen BM. Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia. Reports. 2024;4(4):99-108. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11

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@article{10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11,
  author = {Belachew Muche Mekonen},
  title = {Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia
},
  journal = {Reports},
  volume = {4},
  number = {4},
  pages = {99-108},
  doi = {10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.reports.20240404.11},
  abstract = {Rice production in Ethiopia, though not traditionally a staple, has become a key focus in the country’s efforts to enhance food security and reduce dependency on imports. Despite favorable agroecological conditions for rice farming, productivity remains low due to several challenges, including inadequate access to improved seeds, irrigation systems, and modern mechanization. This study evaluates the challenges and opportunities for practicing irrigated rice production in Ethiopia, analyzing both challenges and opportunities through a mixed-methods approach. Primary data was collected via field surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers across diverse regions. Key challenges include poor water management, limited adoption of modern technologies, high input costs, weak market access, climate variability, and infrastructure limitations. However, Ethiopia's diverse agroecological zones and government support provide opportunities for sustainable rice cultivation, particularly through improved irrigation, adoption of modern technologies, and enhanced market linkages. The study concludes that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving government, NGOs, and farmers is essential to unlocking the potential of irrigated rice production in Ethiopia. Recommendations include improving water management, promoting public-private partnerships, expanding access to credit, and implementing climate-smart agricultural strategies to boost rice production and enhance food security.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia

AU  - Belachew Muche Mekonen
Y1  - 2024/11/29
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11
T2  - Reports
JF  - Reports
JO  - Reports
SP  - 99
EP  - 108
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7146
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11
AB  - Rice production in Ethiopia, though not traditionally a staple, has become a key focus in the country’s efforts to enhance food security and reduce dependency on imports. Despite favorable agroecological conditions for rice farming, productivity remains low due to several challenges, including inadequate access to improved seeds, irrigation systems, and modern mechanization. This study evaluates the challenges and opportunities for practicing irrigated rice production in Ethiopia, analyzing both challenges and opportunities through a mixed-methods approach. Primary data was collected via field surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers across diverse regions. Key challenges include poor water management, limited adoption of modern technologies, high input costs, weak market access, climate variability, and infrastructure limitations. However, Ethiopia's diverse agroecological zones and government support provide opportunities for sustainable rice cultivation, particularly through improved irrigation, adoption of modern technologies, and enhanced market linkages. The study concludes that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving government, NGOs, and farmers is essential to unlocking the potential of irrigated rice production in Ethiopia. Recommendations include improving water management, promoting public-private partnerships, expanding access to credit, and implementing climate-smart agricultural strategies to boost rice production and enhance food security.

VL  - 4
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Belachew Muche Mekonen

Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7048-829X

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APA Style

Mekonen, B. M. (2024). Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia. Reports, 4(4), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11

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ACS Style

Mekonen, B. M. Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia. Reports. 2024, 4(4), 99-108. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Mekonen BM. Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia. Reports. 2024;4(4):99-108. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11,
  author = {Belachew Muche Mekonen},
  title = {Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia
},
  journal = {Reports},
  volume = {4},
  number = {4},
  pages = {99-108},
  doi = {10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.reports.20240404.11},
  abstract = {Rice production in Ethiopia, though not traditionally a staple, has become a key focus in the country’s efforts to enhance food security and reduce dependency on imports. Despite favorable agroecological conditions for rice farming, productivity remains low due to several challenges, including inadequate access to improved seeds, irrigation systems, and modern mechanization. This study evaluates the challenges and opportunities for practicing irrigated rice production in Ethiopia, analyzing both challenges and opportunities through a mixed-methods approach. Primary data was collected via field surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers across diverse regions. Key challenges include poor water management, limited adoption of modern technologies, high input costs, weak market access, climate variability, and infrastructure limitations. However, Ethiopia's diverse agroecological zones and government support provide opportunities for sustainable rice cultivation, particularly through improved irrigation, adoption of modern technologies, and enhanced market linkages. The study concludes that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving government, NGOs, and farmers is essential to unlocking the potential of irrigated rice production in Ethiopia. Recommendations include improving water management, promoting public-private partnerships, expanding access to credit, and implementing climate-smart agricultural strategies to boost rice production and enhance food security.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessments of Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Irrigated Rice Production in Ethiopia

AU  - Belachew Muche Mekonen
Y1  - 2024/11/29
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11
T2  - Reports
JF  - Reports
JO  - Reports
SP  - 99
EP  - 108
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7146
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20240404.11
AB  - Rice production in Ethiopia, though not traditionally a staple, has become a key focus in the country’s efforts to enhance food security and reduce dependency on imports. Despite favorable agroecological conditions for rice farming, productivity remains low due to several challenges, including inadequate access to improved seeds, irrigation systems, and modern mechanization. This study evaluates the challenges and opportunities for practicing irrigated rice production in Ethiopia, analyzing both challenges and opportunities through a mixed-methods approach. Primary data was collected via field surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers across diverse regions. Key challenges include poor water management, limited adoption of modern technologies, high input costs, weak market access, climate variability, and infrastructure limitations. However, Ethiopia's diverse agroecological zones and government support provide opportunities for sustainable rice cultivation, particularly through improved irrigation, adoption of modern technologies, and enhanced market linkages. The study concludes that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving government, NGOs, and farmers is essential to unlocking the potential of irrigated rice production in Ethiopia. Recommendations include improving water management, promoting public-private partnerships, expanding access to credit, and implementing climate-smart agricultural strategies to boost rice production and enhance food security.

VL  - 4
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download