Indigenous Enset Plant Hailed as Pillar of Food Security in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA — Enset, known locally as the “golden crop” or false banana, is being recognized for its vital role in bolstering food security within Ethiopia.

Usman Surur, Central Ethiopia Region Agriculture Head and expert, conveyed to ENA the multifaceted benefits of Enset, which serves as sustenance for people, feed for livestock, and organic compost for land. He detailed the crop’s history of resilience, having been a life-sustaining staple during various calamitous periods in the country, notably during the years corresponding to 1954, 1955, the 1960s, and 1977 in the Ethiopian calendar.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, despite its significant role and adaptation across seven Ethiopian regions, Enset cultivation is largely unrecognized beyond southern, southwestern, and central areas of the country. Surur expressed concern that neither local authorities nor international funders are giving due recognition to the crop’s value.

Surur elaborated on Enset’s versatile nature, highlighting that every part of the plant is utilized for consumption, which underscores its environmental sustainability. He questioned the lack of broader acknowledgment and focus on this resource.

A National Enset Flagship Development Program (NEtFDP) has been initiated to elevate Enset as a strategic national commodity, with the Ministry of Agriculture taking the lead. The SODO Declaration for Enset Development emerged from a national workshop aiming to revolutionize the Enset production system in Ethiopia.

Surur emphasized Enset’s unique qualities, such as its resistance to spoilage and disease, drawing parallels to gluten-free crops like Teff. He advocated for increased research and development in Enset production, processing, and post-harvest technology to address production and climate challenges.

The NEtFDP underscores the importance of Enset in securing food and nutrition for Ethiopia’s growing population, supported by research suggesting that it could potentially feed up to 100 million people in East Africa.