Status of Basic Data and Green Economy Initiatives in Estie Woreda

Agriculture is the most important sector in the Woreda. About 60,171ha of land are cultivated for crop production. The total size of cultivated land through irrigation is 8,586ha, which is about 14.3% of the total cultivated land. The potential irrigable land is small (13,800ha), which is about 23% of the total arable land. Cereals (maize, teff, sorghum, wheat and barley) are the most important crops grown in the Woreda. The average productivity of cereals (excluding maize) for East Estie is 19.5 quitals/ha. Improved and local varieties (seeds) of wheat and teff were used in the Woreda and better yield was obtained. The yield for wheat for the improved seed varieties (34.5 quintals/ha) is greater than the yield for local seed crop varieties (23 quintals/ha). The Woreda has high livestock population with cattle to HHs ratio close to 3:1. Sheep to HHs ratio is about 4:1. Improved breeds for poultry, cattle, goat, sheep and donkey are also available. Feed scarcity and poor animal fodder quality are the major problems of the livestock sector.