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New Generations, Old Challenges: Questioning Grassroots Development in the Horn of Africa
JOURNAL OF YOUTH RESEARCHES
There is a coffee disease. Previously, we had been using preventive sort of medi-
cine. But currently, even that is not available at all. So, our coffee beans continuous-
ly drop before maturity (HOARCM14, 23/04/11 & HOARCM16, 23/04/11).
Being the most widely produced crops, Enset and banana are also affected by different
diseases. “There is also Enset disease which we do not clearly know. The disease forces
the coffee plant dry, commonly starting from the uppermost. Enset is also affected by
porcupine” (HOARCM14, 23/04/11). HOARCM14, emphasizes, banana and Enset have
similar diseases. They dry out by starting from their leave. And if the banana makes some
fruit, it develops a hard-nonedible substance in the fruit. “We commonly say it infested by
snake, but unknowingly. And traditionally, we burn the whole plant (banana) hopping not
to transmit to others (23/04/11). He also notes, “There is also traditionally termed ‘Gind
Adirk’ (the stem drier) disease which attacks the banana crop from its early stage. And
then removes it out totally” (HOARCM14, 23/04/11). Thus, certainly, the farmers need
proper awareness, training, support and follow up from governmental and non-govern-
mental sectors.
Yet, the failures in crop production cannot be associated only to these environmental
affairs. Other factors include work cultures, women participation, holidays, climate and
topography. There are also widespread public opinions about the working habits of the
farmers and women participation. In fact, several celebrations have been dropped as
compared to the preceding decades. But, still several holidays are there the major ones
becoming Arefa (Eid-Al Adha) and Meskel (The True Cross) celebrations (FGD, 23/04/11).
Women have well started to take part in farming, yet far from being productive. They
dominate commercial and home management affairs (FGD, 23/04/11). “The people gave
up drinking alcohol, but they chew Çhat. And, in recent years, they stopped chewing the
Çhat during day times after they have been given lots of awareness. I see that women
attempt to work in schedules and turn out to be more punctual. But they still spend too
much time and potential compared to their outcome” (HOARCM42, 23/04/11).
Some others seem discouraged by the climatic and topographic nature of the region.
The climatic zone is Kolla (hot) as characterized by warmness, compared to several other
neighborhoods of the district. And the soil type in the neighborhoods is a black one, the
topography is full of ups and down, and so exposed to a gradually frequent erosion (FGD,
23/04/11).
Livestock Production Problems
The people of the target sites depend mainly on plant and animal cultivation. As crop pro-
duction becomes ineffective for several reasons, animal production failed too. Among the
foremost domestic cultivated animals include the cows, goats, sheep, and chickens. The
cattle remained one of the capitals of the people in addition to coffee and Çhat produc-
tions. The cattle also provide a significant part of the daily nutrition requirements through
