Promising pulses: interventions and constraints in chickpea supply chains in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

We examine user experiences with two innovations introduced into the Ethiopian agri-food system: scaling up chickpea production and use of chickpea in Ready to Use Foods processing. Using qualitative methods grounded in innovation and knowledge system approaches, and drawing from stakeholder interviews, we identify extrinsic and intrinsic factors influencing the success of intervention strategies. Interviews with smallholder farmers reveal several factors influencing chickpea adoption decisions, including agronomic uncertainties, climatic resilience, and access to key inputs. Demonstration projects and knowledge networks encourage adoption. Interviews with agro-processors suggest that ongoing trust issues between stakeholders constrain the use of chickpea.

RÉSUMÉ

Dans cet article, nous analysons la manière dont les acteurs du système agro-alimentaire éthiopien ont reçu deux pratiques innovatrices : l’intensification de la production de pois chiches, et l’utilisation de pois chiches dans la production d’aliments prêts à la consommation. Nous utilisons des méthodes qualitatives ancrées dans l’innovation et dans une approche de systèmes de connaissances, et nous nous basons sur des entretiens effectués avec des acteurs du secteur agro-alimentaire afin d’identifier les facteurs extrinsèques et intrinsèques qui influencent le succès de ces stratégies d’intervention. Nos entretiens avec de petits exploitants ont révélé plusieurs facteurs influençant le choix de l’exploitation de pois chiches, parmi lesquels l’incertitude agronomique, la résilience du pois chiche aux aléas climatiques, et les facilités économiques d’accès au marché. Les projets pilotes et les réseaux de relations sont des facteurs positifs dans l’adoption de la culture du pois chiche. Nos entretiens avec le personnel des entreprises agro-alimentaires suggèrent que des problèmes de confiance récurrents entre les différents acteurs du système agro-alimentaire représentent une barrière à l’adoption de la culture du pois-chiche.

KEYWORDS:

• Ethiopia
• chickpea
• Ready to Use Foods
• agro-processors
• smallholders

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Felicitas Egunyu for her research assistance. The authors would also like to thank David Natcher and Neil Hibbert for comments on an earlier draft of this paper.

Notes

1 A ready to use food (RUF) product is any food that is formulated to be eaten out of the package without cooking, adding water or other types of preparation and is used to help address malnutrition and undernutrition in vulnerable populations. This includes Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) and Ready to Use Supplemental Foods (RUSFs). RUTFs are high energy food products fortified with vitamins and minerals in the form of an easy to swallow paste or biscuit, not requiring cooking, addition of water or refrigeration. The conventional RUTF formulation is peanut based and typically consists of milk powder, sugar, peanut butter or paste, vegetable oil and vitamin and mineral premix. RUSFs are meant to provide only part of individuals’ daily energy and nutrient requirements. Like RUTFs, they come in the form of pastes but are designed to treat moderate acute malnutrition as well as to treat and prevent micronutrient deficiencies.

2 Behavioural research ethics approvals were received from the University of Saskatchewan prior to conducting field research (BEH 15-138; BEH 17-374; BEH 13-161).

3 There are also two international suppliers: Nutriset (France) and Edesia (USA).

4 https://www.idrc.ca/en/research-in-action/pulse-innovations-food-and-nutrition-security-southern-ethiopia.

5 Extension agents, along with community members, choose model farmers who receive training in new agricultural techniques or receive novel seed varieties. The model farmer serves as a demonstration farmer to other smallholders. Demonstration farms, managed by extension services, demonstrate new practices to smallholders.

6 LRP strategies involve purchasing food within a country where it is to be distributed or in a nearby country. LRP uses cash and voucher transfers in place of direct distribution of food and commodities. LRP is supported and endorsed by UNICEF and other UN agencies like the WFP as a more effective way to address food crises and famines.

7 GAI is not currently producing RUFs but had produced RUSF in 2015 and RUTF in 2012. FAFA food complex produces corn soya blend when it is requested by humanitarian agencies or the government.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Global Institute for Food Security Research Awards Programme, University of Saskatchewan; Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (#2014-0283), Ministry of Agriculture - Saskatchewan; Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (#107984), International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Notes on contributors

Lisa F. Clark

Lisa F. Clark is the Research Director of Indigenous Works’ Luminary Agriculture project. She is also a Research Associate with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on innovations in agrifood systems, food policy and food security.

Jill E. Hobbs

Jill E. Hobbs is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on supply chain economics, food policy, and consumer behaviour.

Melat Adde

Melat Adde is a PhD candidate at Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a Research Officer with the Ministry of Energy and Resources at the Government of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on agricultural innovations and agri-food supply chains.

Carol Henry

Carol Henry is a professor in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focusses on food, nutrition and food systems innovations, gender equality, consumer choice.