Enset farming in Ethiopia: explained by indigenous farmers

375 enset-farming households in 20 communities were interviewed to gain insight into multiple aspects of these enset farms, from socio-economical differences, to crop diversification, the specifics of enset cultivation, management and uses, and the challenges pertaining enset production. The results from this survey have been published in three individual articles.

Have you heard of the enset crop?

Enset is a crop solely cultivated in the Ethiopian highlands, and mostly unknown outside of Ethiopia. Grown by smallholder subsistence farmers, it is a staple starch food for ~20 million people. The enset plant looks similar to a banana plant, but is not grown for its fruits. Rather, the plants’ underground corm and pseudostem base are processed into porridge and bread.