Out of a population of 52 million (2000) people, 27 million people are living in abject poverty. Ethiopia is a very poor nation having agriculture as the main occupation of the people. Although agriculture is the main source of income for the people, severe arid conditions coupled with civil disputes have affected the agriculture sector. All efforts have been made to improve conditions in Ethiopia but things have hardly changed. The extremely poor people comprise of the small and marginal farmers.
Areas where poverty in Ethiopia is pronounced:
Poverty in Ethiopia is more pronounced in the rural areas as compared to the urban areas. Rural areas have uniform distribution of poverty, Oromiya, being an exception. Oromiya cultivates enset, which acts as a buffer storage at the time of drought and dearth.
Causes of poverty in Ethiopia:
Some of the causes of poverty in Ethiopia are:
- Arid conditions leading to irregular production in the agriculture sector.
- Improper marketing strategies of agricultural products.
- Degrading ecology
- Technological know how being poorly developed.
- Transportation facilities are poorly developed.
- Failure of the rural people in participating in awareness programs meant for them
- Absence of sufficient rainfall
- Shortage of food products owing to several conditions.
- Absence of proper socio economic infrastructure. This includes lack of potable water, proper education and health programs.
- Unstable political scenario.
Probable remedies for poverty in Ethiopia:
Some remedies that are suggested for bringing about a reduction in the poverty level is the reduction in the growth of population and macro economic stability. Families, which are run by the womenfolk are especially susceptible to poverty in Ethiopia. The womenfolk do not participate in awareness programs. This results in innumerable deaths of infants, malnutrition, illiteracy in the poor families. Efforts should be made to influence women and other less privileged people to participate in various awareness programs pertaining to family planning, education and health benefits.
