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Agriculture

Insect Pollination Crucial for Ethiopia's Crop Production, Food Security

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study highlights the significance of insect pollination in Ethiopia, where the country's agriculture is heavily dependent on pollinators. The research emphasizes that the economic and nutritional value of insect pollination in Ethiopia has seen a substantial increase over the past few decades. The study's findings underscore the importance of protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food and nutrition security in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The economic value of insect pollination in Ethiopia has increased more than fivefold, rising from around US$100 million to approximately US$543.8 million between 1993 and 2023.
  • In 2023, the economic value of insect pollination for crop production in Ethiopia was estimated at approximately US$ 543.8 million, representing 5% of the total economic value of crop production.
  • PD crops contributed 20.9% of the total economic value of crop production in 2023, generating approximately US$ 2.3 billion.
  • Insect pollination provides 71% of plant-based vitamin E, 12.5% of dietary fat, and 6.2% of calcium in Ethiopia's crop production.
  • The Southern (5.8%), Benshangul (5.3%), Oromiya (4.3%), Amhara (4%), and Tigray (3.44%) regions showed the highest economic vulnerability to pollinator loss.
  • Oil crops had the highest vulnerability to pollinator decline (26.3%), followed by crops such as coffee (21.3%), pulses (12.2%), and fruits (11.4%).
  • Future policies should incorporate pollinator protection into agricultural and nutrition strategies, while conservation efforts should be strategic and well-targeted.

Statistics:

  • 1993-2023: cultivated area of pollinator-dependent crops increased three times, while production volume grew twofold.
  • Between 1993 and 2023, the economic value of insect pollination increased from around US$100 million to approximately US$543.8 million.
  • 2023: the economic value of insect pollination for crop production in Ethiopia was approximately US$ 543.8 million.
  • 2023: PD crops contributed 20.9% of the total economic value of crop production in Ethiopia, generating approximately US$ 2.3 billion.
  • 71%: percent of plant-based vitamin E directly attributable to insect pollination.
  • 12.5%: percent of dietary fat directly attributable to insect pollination.
  • 6.2%: percent of calcium directly attributable to insect pollination.

Sources:

  • Economic and nutritional value of insect pollination services in Ethiopia. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):35450.
  • Tigray Agricultural Research Institute.
  • Mekelle Bee Research and Training Center, Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
  • Nature Portfolio, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany.

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