Dr. Logan Cochrane, Associate Professor at the College of Public Policy (CPP), presented a paper on “Ethiopia and Food Security” at the Tubman Talk Series. The series is an initiative of the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas at York University, Canada.

The starting point of Dr. Cochrane’s session was: What do we know about food security in Ethiopia and how do we know it? His presentation focused on the ways in which methodology influences evidence, and thereby decisions about policies, programs, and services. 

As recent as 2016, one in five Ethiopians relied on emergency assistance. Many of those experiencing food insecurity are smallholder farmers living in rural areas. Dr. Cochrane reflected on a participatory approach that makes visible the purposeful and insightful choices farmers make. Often when farmers are surveyed they are asked to provide generalizations about input use, crop choice, and planting practices. When in reality, each crop, input and practice is informed by specific decisions. Building upon these new perspectives, Dr. Cochrane highlighted options for strengthening food security.