In Ethiopia, a region representing a major world gene center,
the various traditional agro-ecosystems constitute major in situ
repositories of crop and animal diversity. Effective use of this
invaluable resource promotes diversity of diet, source of income,
stability of production, reduced pest and disease incidence and a safe
and sustainable environment. This is especially true for resource-poor
farmers practicing agriculture under low input conditions in marginal
environments.
There is also a serious threat of losses of diversity which
requires major inputs to protect and sustainably utilize it. Farmers'
varieties, largely represented by indigenous landraces, are among
those suffering such losses. Developing ecologically and culturally
based agricultural practices that raise land productivity while
conserving and restoring the resource base is critical to ensure long
term food and livelihood security of Ethiopia's rapidly growing
population. This need becomes more significant as land holdings are
becoming smaller and environments are degrading in the small scale
farming sector. There is a unique opportunity for intervention in this
regard through a fanners' seed promotion strategy which may draw on
the experiences in Ethiopia, and other places in Africa