A new proposal being prepared by Ministry of Agriculture would allow private companies or government enterprises to be the sole producer and distributor of a single type of seed. The seed would be developed by the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute (ARI).
Currently any government or private company can buy seeds from ARI and multiply and sell them to the farmers and this has created unfair competition among the sellers.
Under the new plan one company will have a monopoly over a specific type of seed that they would obtain from ARI and then promote and sell. The seed producers would have to spend their own money advertising the seed. Feleke Gezahagn, Ethiopian Seed Supply Chain Director told Capital that the system will be more fair and will help farmers get the seeds they need on time.
Both public and private seed producers mainly concentrate on a few cereal crops, particularly hybrid maize and bread wheat. Moreover, they supply only a small portion of the total quantity of seed that farmers need. Thus, they do not satisfy the diversified seed demand of farmers so if we allow a specific seed for specific company we can distribute most of the seeds the farmers want,” he said.
In Ethiopia, various actors and stakeholders are involved in seed production activities. All these actors and stakeholders, in one way or another, contribute to production, promotion, supply and marketing of improved seed in the country. Studies show that only a small area of land is covered by improved seed, however… In Improving farmers’ access to seed empowering farmers’ innovation., between 2005/6 and 2009/10, only 3.5% of the land was planted with improved seed out of a total of 12 million hectares of land under major food crops. However, the total amount of improved seed used and the area of farmland covered by improved seed have increased during recent years.
The private sector has made some initial forays into Ethiopia’s seed industry during the past decade, and more specifically into the maize seed business.
The volume of seed production by private producers increased from 4994.1 tons in 2012/13 to 9819.2 tons in 2014/15. More specifically, the contribution of private producers is higher for hybrid maize seed production and distribution.
Seed producer cooperatives play a key role in the Ethiopian seed sector. They produce quality seeds of diversified crops and varieties and directly sell to customers locally and beyond. For example, in 2014 alone, more than 23 different crops and 131 varieties were produced by them
Currently five government and 60 private companies are engaged in seed production and sales.
New seed plan to allow monopoly, equitable distribution
European Film Festival to begin next week
The annual European Film Festival is going to showcase 20 films selected from European Union countries on November 9-11 at VAMDAS Entertainment Movie Theatre. The award winning movies were selected with their historical or contemporary themes besides their artistic value according to the organizers. Also the criteria of most celebrated actors in their respective countries, unforgettable music and cinematography that can capture the imagination of the audience was also considered.
The festival is expected to bring movies in the categories of documentary, historical stories, comedies and drama. The festival gives special attention for kids and dedicates two Saturdays, 3rd and 10th of November for them.
The festival will also screen some Ethiopian films and short films in order to promote interaction between European and Ethiopian filmmakers. There will also be one African film from Burkina Faso to celebrate Addis Ababa as the headquarters of the African Union and the diplomatic capital of Africa on 2 November 2018.
The festivals are expected to be launched on November 1 at 6pm in the VAMDAS Entertainment Movie Theatre with a free of charge entrance.
The France movie of “Le Brio” is expected to be the opening movie.
The Fine Line: African Attire & African Leaders
“…traditional attire express our relationship with out communities, societies and our continent.”
Almost 11 years ago, Nov 17, 2007 to be exact, I met an incredible individual at the African Union (AU) Diaspora Ministerial Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. We were there in different capacities but on the same mission, to review and consolidate the draft Programme of Action in relation to the AU decision to recognize Africans in the Diaspora as the Sixth Region. Agenda items included Peace and Stability; Historic socio-cultural and religious commonalities; Women, Youth and Vulnerable groups and Economic Cooperation amongst others. Thirty-nine member states including Benin, Ghana and Ethiopia were present along with CARICOM representatives. Unlike most Ministerial meetings, Diaspora Communities and Civil Society organizations fully participated, even presenting papers. I was one of such.
I remember being seated next to the then Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Dlamini Nksozana Zuma, who would go on to serve as AU Chairperson 2012-2017. I prepared with laser focus to present on Women and Youth to a room of distinguished African representatives who, sad to say, were almost indistinguishable, as most were in suits. I was dressed in traditional Ethiopia attire at this august event and began by giving a history of African Diaspora engagement, referencing Ethiopia’s track record as evidenced by Ethiopian World Federation who raised funds and awareness to end Italian occupation in the Diaspora. I also spoke of the defeat of foreign forces under the direction of Emperor Menelik II with Empress Taitu by his side, yielding victory at the Battle of Adwoa, a watershed moment in the history of Pan Africanism.
After my presentation, I had the opportunity to meet the Head of Delegation for Ethiopia. While moved by my presentation, the crux of the conversation was also on my attire, habesha libs. I imagine it was strange as most such meetings find men and women in 99.9% Brooks Brothers type suits. Beyond that important exchange on culture and attire, the Minister expressed interest in our advocacy for re-integration and offered to meet with me upon return to Addis Ababa. The Minister’s word was kept and the good Office was open for us to voice our concerns on the status of People of African descent, Rastafari in particular, living peacefully in Ethiopia, most undocumented, including children turned adults born in Shashamane.
I would see the Minister occasionally, who always recalled my name and face amongst the sea of people dealt with daily, much more over a decade. Respect. We even ran into each other a week ago and tried to catch up in a sweet 2-minute exchange, as we were both with other parties. But back to African leaders and cultural attire… What is the message and significance, if any, about cultural attire worn or not worn by Africa’s representatives at meetings in Africa? In a time when Africa is rising and borders are collapsing, allowing for free movement of trade and commerce, is not the movement of art, ideas and culture equally important? Does not our cultural attire have a place, making a statement as to our history, identity and trajectory? Should leaders not have an inclination or at least the conscience to wear the expressions of our artisans and designers, often? Haven’t our artists provided African designs and clothing that speak to our resources, processes, creativity and narratives? Doesn’t our traditional attire express our relationship with out communities, societies and our continent? Most of all shouldn’t our attire give leaders a sense of strength, comfort and connectivity to the people they represent?
Eleven years later in 2018, update on the Diaspora integration: a majority of African countries have offices for Diaspora affairs; Benin and Ghana have issued citizenship to scores; and Ethiopia has granted over 250 ID’s to Rastafari of African descent as Foreign National of Ethiopian Origin. Sadly, I cannot report that African Leaders are wearing cultural attire more often, but can report that the AU encourages traditional wear on Friday. Side Note: In the West corporations offer dress down day to jeans and such on Fridays, this cannot compare to Traditional attire, but I think the intent deserves credit. I therefore leave it to our esteemed leaders to decide when to wear traditional clothing but urge consideration to honor and promote the creativity of African artists and designers while sharing culture, history and identity. Photos speak volumes and what will generations to come think as they reflect on these optics a hundred years from now? Shall our children see so us today and in turn love their culture and clothing tomorrow and not beg for brands that fuel other people’s economy?
This splendor of African attire from kente to kuba cloth and ashoke to saba is unlimited. And just as our weavers prepare these cloths with great care and pride, let us wear them proudly as we promote our country, continent and diverse cultures. By the way, the Minister I keep referring to is none other than our newly appointed President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E. Ambassador Sahle-Work Zewde, who wore cultural attire to her swearing in ceremony.
Dr. Desta Meghoo is a Jamaican born
Creative Consultant, Curator and
cultural promoter based in Ethiopia
since 2005. She also serves as Liaison to
the AU for the Ghana based, Diaspora
African Forum.
Practicing Machiavellian strategy
Now I feel like writing about two books which I have been reading time and again till this very day. These books are among the important ones lined up in the shelf that stood abreast of my bed. They are named the ‘Prince’ and ‘the 48 Laws of Power’. Nicolo Machiavelli wrote the Prince and Robert Greene authored the 48 Laws of Power.
I usually hear several educated individuals saying that leaders of every nation in this world keep the Prince beneath his/her pillows. Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian political philosopher, historian, musician, poet and romantic comedic playwright. He wrote the Prince in 1513. Robert Alan Dahl, a political theorist and scientist at Yale university in USA, says that ‘…the most influential book ever written on the characteristics of men in politics is the Prince’. I have two copies of the Prince, which was translated by George Bull in 1986. They are the 28th editions.
The other book, the 48 Laws of Power, is also wonderful and worth reading. It is on sale at World Book stores here in Addis. This book was published for the first time in 1998. I have the one which was printed in 2013; the eighth edition. Greene, an American, is said to be the modern Machiavelli. He has a degree in classical studies.
By the way, I have a piece of information to share with book worms. Please heed what I am saying. Whenever you want to buy books, say from a book shop or wherever you go…street sides…, take a close look at the reprint section of the book. If you see that book which you happen to hold in your hand was reprinted many times, don’t hesitate to peel out your money from your purse and pay for it.
The 39th law of power according to Greene declares that if the prince or the ruler who took hold of the rein of leadership needs to survive in his throne, he should ‘stir up waters to catch fish’. He further enlightens, ‘…The waters are clear and calm, and fish are well below the surface. Stir the waters and they emerge. Stir it some more and they get angry, rising to the surface, biting whatever comes near-including a freshly baited hook.’ The essence of the law is that ‘when the waters are still, your opponents have the time and space to plot actions that they will initiate and control. So, stir the waters, force the fish to the surface, get them to act before they are ready, steal the initiative. The best way to do this is to play on uncontrollable emotions-pride, vanity, love, hate. Once the water is stirred up, the little fish cannot help but rise to the bait, the angrier they become, the less control they have, and finally they are caught in the whirlpool you have made, and they drown.’
Greene observed the practice of this particular law by the Ethiopian Emperor, Haile-Silassie. He said that Haile-Silassie defeated his arch foe, Ras Gugsa using the ‘Stir up waters to catch fish’ technique. Gugsa is the husband of empress Zawditu who was the heir of the throne of the famous emperor Minilik II. After the death of the emperor, Haile-Silassie weakened the warlords who were feared to be stumbling blocks on his way to the throne. The remaining ‘obstacle[s] stood’ in his way were the empress and her husband, Ras Gugsa. ‘…[Haile] Silassie knew the royal couple hated him and wanted to get rid of him…’. So, he stirred the pond and caught the big fish. What he did was that ‘he goaded [Ras Gogsa] in to rebellion by offending his manly pride, asking him to fight people he had no quarrel with on behalf of a man he hated’. This way he stirred up the water. On the other way around he staged a battle ground in which his enemies involved. Gugsa thus made to partake in the fighting in which he was left alone through an intrigue made by Haile-Silassie who bribed several key allies of the Ras (Gugsa) not to show up for the battle. ‘Refusing to surrender, Ras Gugsa was killed in the fighting’ to the relief of Haile-Silassie who immediately announced his new emperorship.
I should bring up my argument that Machiavellian strategies have thus been practiced in this country. I have some testimonies to strengthen my argument. But first… it is good to say a few words about Machiavellian strategies. Machiavellianism derives from the views of Prince Machiavelli. It states that a prince or a ruler ‘should only be concerned with power and be bound only by rules that would lead to success’. It is further ‘defined as a manipulative strategy of social interaction and personality style that uses other people as tools of personal gain’. Prince Machiavelli deduced the rules from the political practices of his time. He stated that ‘morality and ethics are for the weak; powerful people should feel free to lie, cheat and deceive whenever it suits their purpose’. He is rough; is he not?
What we witnessed recently here in Addis Ababa is the ‘stir up waters to catch fish’ style of thing, which still gets the wide coverage of local media. The individuals and political leaders who got together for their common agendas came up with a bone of contention type of announcement that startled citizens. On the other way around they stirred up the pond and let the fishes come out to the surface. What happened then after is crystal clear to everyone of us. Many young Addis Ababans were arrested and sent to prison without due process of law. My point is that such is a picture of the strategies of Machiavellianism being implemented here.
We are saying that the present incumbent seems to be reluctant in taking measures against wrong doers. Yes, actions should be taken as soon as possible before the enemy gets out of control. Supporting this argument, law 15 of Robert Greene states the following. ‘All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely. (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way.) If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover and will seek revenge. Crush him, not only in body but in spirit.’
NIcolo Machiavelli has also touched on this same issue. ‘People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge; but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do. If you need to injure someone, do it in such a way that you do not have to fear their vengeance.’
I am also surprised to hear some people saying that certain politicians who were once imprisoned and hailed by the entire nations for their bravery were happened to change their coat all of a sudden and act differently in a different scene. This was reiterated by many citizens in general and some inmates in particular with regret. I personally feel these innocent compatriots should have expected such betrayal from the side of politicians who once acted as friends. Robert Greene is telling us not to ‘…put too much trust in friends…’ but rather to learn how to use enemies. ‘Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies…’ I hope, by now you are thinking of the renewed relation we have with neighboring Eritrea, which was once designated an enemy.
I think it is common to witness in our real lives such betrayal of intimate friends. By the way, some people who read the 48 Laws of Power think that Robert Greene is evil. But he claims that he is not. He says he is just a realist. “I am not who people expect me to be… I believe I described a reality that no other book tried to describe… I’m not evil-I’m a realist.” – Robert Greene.
Fellow countrymen are also crying aloud that the incumbent has shown negligence in defending attacks foisted by armed opposition elements. But… what if the incumbent is thinking of things related to patience or capacity or other similar political alternatives? As for me, the thing seems to be like one of the laws stipulated in the 48 Laws of Power. ‘If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubts and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous: Better to enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity. Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.’ My point is that…what if the negligence was done deliberately by the government on the basis of this point?
The two political philosophers claim that acting up on Machiavellian strategies should seriously be taken by all leaders of nations as an alternative and best way to get out of political quagmire. They stress that being soft and kind in the political sphere will have bad consequences. Therefore, Nicolo Machiavelli and Robert Greene are of the opinion that leaders should never think of morals and ethics. Machiavelli put this in black and blue. ‘…Politics have no relation to morals… Morality and ethics are for the weak…’ It is harsh; is it not? Yes, it is. After all, is this not politics?
By Haile-Gebriel Endeshaw
