Prospects and challenges of floriculture industry in the context of agricultural transformation in Africa: evidence from Ethiopia : policy Brief

Abstract

Agriculture remains an important sector of the African economy and the daily lives of the majority of Africans, accounting over 60% of jobs and ranging from 3% to almost 50% of GDP across the continent. Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa; agriculture plays an important role in Ethiopia’s economy and provides livelihood for a growing population. This policy brief argues that economic, environmental and social policy agendas are inter linked and not incompatible. There is some evidence that environmental sustainability maybe a necessary pre-condition of sustained economic growth. Finally, this brief recommended that promoting sustainability in cut flower production requires critical consideration of agricultural technologies and identification of best practices and strong frameworks for collaboration and mutual accountability and transparency between chain actors (the government, growers, NGOs, and consumers) related to safe and proper use of use of pesticide, water and social justice.