Distribution of seeds urgently needed

The UN’s Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (EUE) on Friday stepped up calls for the urgent distribution of planting seeds for farmers in drought-stricken Ethiopia. Their call follows an assessment in the one-time breadbasket of Ethiopia – Arsi zone in Oromiya in the east of the country. “Seed distribution should be a top priority for the Belg and Meher planting seasons,” the EUE said in its assessment report. “Food aid and seed distribution combined is probably the best way to minimise the risk of seed being consumed instead of planted." The international community has been increasing calls for seed distribution to help tackle the long-term impact of droughts and escape the cycle of dependency. But even so at least 12.6 million people have been hit by the current drought in Ethiopia, which the government says is the worst for two decades.