What changes are needed to the present Ethiopian, Eritrean and international economic

The underway policies in place attentiveional to reduce the results of paucity in the African countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea ar a yearn way from achieving their goals. Famine has been a regular occurrence for hundreds of years. Ethiopia and Eritrea depend on two rainy seasons a year to ample crop growth. Sweeping deepens must be do at local, national and international level if the severe problem of famine is to be brought under control and eventually eradicated.85% of the rural tribe relies on rain, as farming is the main artificial lake of income (Jonathon Steele in Addis Ababa reports on efforts to contain disaster). In Africa annual rain pickpocket varies dramatically and this plays a critical role in the success or failure of crops each year. there are also regional differences in the level of rainfall end-to-end Africa which means that drought cannot be assessed as a nationwide gist but as a regional issue.Current policies to regulate direction of land are l argely ineffective. The oer-cultivation and mismanagement of land is leading to shortfalls in solid food issue. Food growth is increasing annually by 0.6%, in contrast population in Africa is growing at 2.9%. (www.ethioembassy.org.uk)Also convey thisCheating in a Bottom Line EconomyThe purpose surface of an area can be dramatically altered by processes such as all overgrazing or over cultivation. This has a dramatic effect on the formation of clouds and subsequently levels of precipitation. (Draught and famine workbook) Steps need to be taken to change the way land is cultivated to prevent over intensive cultivation, before any steps can be taken towards eradication of famine, if the African raft cannot become self sufficient and so they stand little chance of escaping the cycle of drought leading to famine.Schemes and Policies designed to ease famine and droughtThe African governing has introduced a cheat on of schemes designed to reduce the risks posed by drought. Huge i nvestment in agriculture has been made since 1991. This includes rural credit schemes and the creation of dams to catch rainfall. On an international level the World Bank has offered a 300 jillion loan for rural road building. The World Bank and International fiscal fund take over given their support for the reduction of subsidies on plant food prices which has forced farmers to cut back on their enjoyment. (Jonathan Steele) Resulting in a fall in crop sacrifices, leading to a fall in food supplies.A worrying trend is the increasing use of inorganic fertilisers by African farmers. They cause untold damage to the environs, releasing chemicals into the water, harming both people and vegetation. These inorganic fertilisers are purchased from the more affluent economies which means that African farmers must ease up in cash for fertilisers which increase crop yields but which are in the enormous run destroying their own ecosystem in the process. This is indicative of the lack o f sustainable food production policies in Ethiopia and Eritrea. (www.ethioembassy.org.uk)A nationwide scheme introduced by the African government gives farmers who own more than 0.5 hectares of land, improved seed varieties, fertilisers and pesticides, on loan. This has seen results in some a(prenominal) areas which have led to high incomes for some farmers. Schemes such as this yield benefits today but the future cost and effect on the environment in the long destination is as yet unknown. (Information from Oxfam, leaflet no OX450 May 1997)Schemes to counteract the problems of soil erosion have been introduced. Oxfam in partnership with thousands of volunteers in community programmes are attempting to rebuild the land. Millions of trees have been planted to serve up curb soil erosion and to put back nutrients into the soil. (Information from Oxfam).Reforestation projects are of preponderating importance in regenerating the land and preventing soil erosion and remove of vita l nutrients.Types of farmingMany of the crops grown by African farmers are cash crops. These crops are often unsuitable for the environment in which they are grown and leach vital nutrients from the soil. As agriculture is the main source of income for 85% of the population cash crops are vital to the survival of many African farmers. Nomadic prehistoricoralism is the most efficient form of land use in arid and semi arid lands where crop production is truly risky due to high annual variances in climate. (Kilby 1993, Scoones 1995)Development policies introduced over the Last fifty years have undermined the traditional management of pastoralists. (Kilby 1993) Kilby states that they have focused on the extension of crop production into marginal areas, on sedentary ranching, and on an expansion of national parks. Such policies deny pastoralists resources and the dexterity to roam freely which they require to feed their herds, especially during periods of drought. Many of the policies introduced with the intent of reducing the impact of draught on the peoples of Africa actually hinder them. expirationPolicy changes within agriculture are urgently needed. Technological change which will stabilise production at higher levels is also needed. specie needs to be invested in researching drought resistant crops, and a higher level of irrigation is also required if droughts are going to cease to be a catalyst for famine. Agricultural productivity needs to be dramatically increased in order for individuals to become self-sufficient.It is only through collapse management of agriculture that famine can be eradicated in the long term kinda than simply on a short term basis.Policies need to be changed and action taken, short term, and more importantly long term, so as to reduce the severity and frequency of the occurrence of famines in Africa. The issue of famine and drought is highly complex and is very fractious to resolve. Famine is a direct result of drought however it is the pic of people when faced with reduced food availability that turns the situation into a disaster. (Information from Oxfam)Long term policies need to focus on food security, ensuring that food supplies are large enough to sustain the population and that purposeless food supplies are managed to ensure the populations survival during drought years. In the past excess food supplies have been sold to foreign countries for profit rather than being kept to feed the African population during times of famine. organisation policies need in the short term to focus on making people self sufficient before they can tackle issues of producing otiose crops to sell. Existing policies have made little difference to the situation. Much windlessness needs to be done for the long term prevention of famine in Ethiopia and Eritrea.