Livelihood Profile
Amhara Region, Ethiopia
North West Cash Crop Livelihood Zone (NWC)
July 20071
Zone Description
The North West Cash Crop
Livelihood Zone (NWC) spreads
across Alefa, Metemma, Lay
Armacho, Mirab Armacho, Quara,
Tach Amarcho, Takusa and
Tsegede woredas in North Gonder
and lies in the kola (lowland) agroecology.
The
landscape
is
predominantly plain with some
hills. The vegetation consists of
acacia trees, gum arabic and bush
scrub scattered across the entire
livelihood Zone. In the lowlands
there is an extensive grazing
interspersed by farms and scattered
settlements. The annual rainy
season (kremt) lasts from June to
September. In most years the
amount of rainfall (around 800mm)
is optimal for the cultivation of
different crops the most important of which are sorghum, finger millet, maize for food and sesame and
cotton as cash crops. Population density is sparse. The temperature varies between 15-45 Celsius.
The soils are Vertisol and clay loam and are relatively fertile, the zone having a moderate to high production
potential for agriculture. The sesame and cotton are cultivated for export markets, and together with
marketed livestock they make this the wealthiest livelihood zone in Amhara Region (followed by Tana
Zuria). This zone also produces a food surplus and the Safety Net programme does not operate here.
Production is rainfed. Larger landholding sizes, fertile soil, above average yield and high labor demand for
weeding and harvesting are the distinctive features of this livelihood zone. The most important determinants
of wealth are the cultivated land area and the ownership of livestock in general and ownership of plough
oxen in particular. Own crop production covers the highest proportion of the annual food requirement of all
wealth groups. Ox-ploughs are used to prepare the land in this zone, whilst weeding and harvesting are the
most labour-intensive production activities. The middle and better-off pay a predominantly male migrant
labour force for these activities. In a typical year, all wealth groups, except the very poor, rely heavily upon
livestock and crop sales as a means of generating cash income. For the very poor, employment not only
constitutes the highest proportion of annual cash income but is only relevant to this wealth group (it is very
unusual in Amhara for the Poor as well not to engage in paid work). Large quantities of sesame, cotton and
some sorghum are exported to external markets (e.g. Sudan) and to internal markets outside the livelihood
zone. The main hazards to crop production are grass hopper (maize, sorghum, cotton, sesame and
Markets
Poor roads make trading activities difficult. Road access to West Armacho is difficult during the dry season and
utterly impossible during the rainy season. Market access in Quara woreda is bad compared to Metemma due to
the poor condition of the roads and distances from urban centres. Metemma, Genda Wuha, Shinfa, Gelegu are
the major towns and main markets where most of the crops are sold either for domestic consumption or external
supply. Metemma is the biggest market that serves as a collection point for the cash crops exported to other
areas within and outside Ethiopia. Sesame is exported to foreign markets via the ports of Djibouti and Port
1
Field work for the current profile was undertaken in September 2007. The information presented refers to September 2005-August 2006 (EC
Meskerem 1998 to Nehase 1998), a normal year by local standards. Provided there are no fundamental and rapid shifts in the economy, the
information in this profile is expected to remain valid for approximately five years (i.e. until 2012).
North West Cash Crop Livelihood Zone
Sudan from December to January. Cotton is traded from this zone to Gonder, Bahir Dar and to Kombolcha
from January to May. Sorghum is mainly supplied to local markets and Gonder Town from December to May.
Pulses are the only food item imported from other livelihood zones, particularly from Gonder all year round.
There is no work migration from the zone to other areas; on the contrary, this zone provides employment to tens
of thousands of workers from other zones, critical to their household income back home. Livestock and
livestock products are sold in the major towns within zone. As there is perennial demand for cattle and shoats in
Sudan, and livestock are sold throughout the year.
Seasonal Calendar
June
J u ly A u g .
M eher
R a in y S e a s o n s
Legend
S e p t.
c o n s . g re e n
s a le
O c t.
Nov.
D ec.
h a rv e s t
Jan.
Feb.
M a r.
W e e d in g
L a n d P re p
c a ttle
A p r.
M ay
p la n tin g
s h o a ts
c a ttle & s h o a ts
S o rg h u m
F in g e r M ille t
M a iz e
Sesam e
C o tto n
M ilk p ro d u c tio n
L ive s to c k s a le s
C a ttle In H e a t
C a ttle B irth s
O th e r
F ire w o o d s a le s
R a in fa ll P a tte rn
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
O ct
N ov
Dec
Jan
Feb
M ar
Apr
M ay
Agriculture is dependent on kremt rains that last from June to September. Sesame is the only short cycle crop
grown (from June-October) whilst sorghum, finger millet, maize and cotton are all long-cycle crops grown from
June to December. There is no inter-cropping in this zone. Nor is there livestock out-migration for grazing;
rather livestock come to this zone from other livelihood zones, especially Tana Zuria and the immediately
neighbouring North West Sorghum zone. They stay from May/June to Sept/Oct. Livestock are sold throughout
the year because of demand for cattle and shoats all the year round in Sudan.
Wealth Breakdown
W e a lth G ro u p s C h a ra c te ris tic s
L a n d a re a
H H s iz e
c u ltiv a te d
C ro p s
c u ltiv a te d
S o rg h u m ,
Sesam e,
C o tto n
L iv e s to c k /a s s e t h o ld in g
V e ry
Poor
4 -5
1 -2 h a
Poor
5 -6
2 -4 h a
S o rg h u m ,
Sesam e,
C o tto n
4 -6 g o a ts , 0 -2 o x e n , 2 -4
c a ttle , 0 -2 d o n k e y s , 2 -4
c h ic k e n s
M id d le
6 -7
4 -6 h a
S o rg h u m ,
Sesam e,
C o tto n
8 -1 2 g o a ts , 2 -3 o x e n , 8 -1 2
c a ttle , 0 -2 d o n k e y s , 2 -4
c h ic k e n s
B e tte ro ff
7 -8
5 -7 h a
S o rg h u m , 1 0 -2 0 g o a ts , 4 -6 o x e n , 1 4 S e s a m e , 2 2 c a ttle , 0 -2 d o n k e y s , 2 -4
C o tto n
c h ic k e n s
0%
% h o ld s
% o f h o2u0se
1 -2 g o a ts , 0 -1 d o n k e y , 2 -4
c h ic k e n s
40%
1 h e c ta re = 4 tim a d s
North West Cash Crop Livelihood Zone
Wealth is determined by the cultivated land area of households as well as by livestock holding. There is a big
difference in the ownership of land between the different wealth groups. There are no significant land renting
arrangements in this zone. All wealth groups grow the same crops. For the poorer the main constraints on crop
production are lack of oxen and lack of money compared to labour shortage and malaria interference for the
wealthier, who overcome these constraints through high labour payments and payment for malaria treatment.
The poor do not keep more livestock due to lack of money and disease prevalence and there are no animal loan
(yerbee) arrangements. Finally, there is no alternative income generating activities.
Sources of Food – A normal year (2005-06)
The contribution of own crop
120%
production to the annual food
consumption of the different
100%
households increases by wealth
purchase
80%
group from the very poor to the
better-off. In a typical year, while
60%
the
middle
and
better-off
livestock
products
households cover all of their basic
40%
food needs, the very poor and poor
crops
cover 67% and nearly 90% of their
20%
requirement from their fields impressive figures by Amhara
0%
standards.
V.Poor
Poor
Middle
Better-off
Poorer households purchase food to
make
up
the
balance
of
requirement;
wealthier
people In the graph, food access is expressed as a percentage of minimum food
purchase to widen their diet requirements, taken as an average food energy intake of 2100 kcals per
person per day.
especially with pulses.
Consumption of livestock products is only significant for the middle and better off, but for the latter it provides
some 13% of calories – more than anywhere else in Amhara.
Sources of Cash – A normal year (2005-06)
100%
selfemployment
employment
80%
60%
livestock
sales
l/stock prod.
sales
crop sales
40%
20%
0%
V.Poor
Poor
Middle
Better-off
The graph provides a breakdown of total cash income according to
income source.
Annual
income
(ETB)
V.Poor
Poor
Middle
Better-off
2250-2750
3300-3700
7850-8350
1180012300
Excluding very poor households
whose major source of income
is employment, the main source
of cash income for the rest is
sale of crops (sesame, cotton
and sorghum). Owning and
selling a higher number of
livestock separates the wealthier
from the poorer groups. Thus
the money obtained through the
sale of livestock (especially
cattle among the wealthier,
goats amongst the poorer) is the
second most important source
of cash income for all but the
very poor, who get income
through paid work and self
employment (firewood sales).
Livestock product sales (mainly
butter)
make
a
modest
contribution to annual cash
income across the board.
North West Cash Crop Livelihood Zone
Expenditure Patterns – A normal year (2005-06)
Only the very poor households
purchase staple food (sorghum,
finger millet and maize). Nonstaple food for all wealth groups
includes pulses, salt, sugar and oil,
and the poor can afford to spend a
remarkable part of their budget on
this enhancement of their diet. The
highest expense for better-off and
middle households is ‘other’,
meaning social contributions,
festivals,
transportation
and
beverages -a sign of their wealth.
But they also put very substantial
money inputs agricultural inputs,
almost all for labour hire.
100%
other
80%
tax
clothes
60%
social serv.
inputs
40%
HH items
non-staple food
20%
staple food
0%
V.Poor
Poor
Middle
Better-off
Hazards
In this livelihood zone, pest infestation, livestock disease and malaria are the recurring problems affecting
agricultural productivity and human wellbeing.
Pest Infestation. Crop pests are a chronic problem, of which the most hazardous are grasshoppers (on maize,
sorghum, cotton, sesame and vegetables) flea beetle (cotton) African boll worm (cotton), aphids and termites.
Livestock disease. PPR, black leg, and pasteurellosis.
Malaria. Endemic and highly prevalent especially in September and October - the months immediately after
the rainy season. In years of especially high prevalence, food security can be affected because farmers may not
be able to work during the critical seasons of agricultural activity.
Coping Strategies
Treatment for these livestock disease and crop pests is available in the Woreda Office of Agriculture and Rural
Development for cash.
Malaria treatments are also purchased.
Summary
This livelihood zone is one of the most food secure areas in Amhara Region. Sufficient and even distribution of
rainfall, fertile soil, relatively large land holdings, cultivation of cash crops, extensive grazing for all livestock
and viable cross border trade relations with Sudan boost production and profits and make the communities as a
whole the highest cash earners in Amhara Region. Sorghum, finger millet and maize are the staple food crops,
and sesame and cotton are cultivated for export markets. The fact that only the very poor purchase cereals is an
indication of food self sufficiency of the area. Even for the very poor households the proportion of annual
expenditure on food is less than 15% of the total. The livestock industry, based on cattle and goats, is amongst
the most profitable in Amhara. However economic performance is still less than optimal in view of a lack of
all-weather roads for trade, high infestations of crop pests, and a high prevalence of malaria which reduces
farmers’ performance.
North West Cash Crop Livelihood Zone