When faced with a crisis, it’s important to look at the resources we already have available to us. In the midst of global warming causing droughts and food shortages, an ancient grain from Ethiopia is showing great potential. Teff, a grass crop with tiny grains similar to millet, has been cultivated in Ethiopia for thousands of years. The flatbread made from teff, called injera, is a staple in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.
Teff thrives in the arid soil of the Horn of Africa, able to withstand drought, heat, and poor soil conditions. This grain has the ability to combat hunger and malnutrition, both in humans and livestock.
With its high protein, fiber, and potassium content, as well as lysine which promotes bone growth and antibody development, teff is a valuable addition to diets. Additionally, being gluten-free and non-GMO has contributed to its increasing popularity worldwide.
Currently, teff is being grown in various countries including Bulgaria, the Netherlands, India, Australia, and the United States. Its adaptability and nutritional benefits make it a promising crop for addressing food security challenges.
In Ethiopia, teff is not only a traditional food source but also a pathway out of poverty for small-scale farmers. Take Tsedu Behutiyo, a 35-year-old woman who grows teff seed on her farm in Ethiopia’s Oromia Province.
With support from organizations like Self Help Africa, Tsedu has become a successful teff seed producer. She sells the seed to other farmers, uses the income to invest in her farm and family, and dreams of providing a better future for her children.
Thanks to her teff seed production, Tsedu has been able to purchase oxen for plowing, invest in poultry for additional income, and send her four children to school.
Her goal is to save enough money to buy land near town and build a house for her family. Tsedu is just one of many farmers in Ethiopia benefiting from teff cultivation and climate-smart agricultural practices.
Teff’s deep root system makes it resistant to both drought and waterlogging, making it a valuable crop in regions with challenging environmental conditions. Its small seeds, believed to have been domesticated over 6,000 years ago, have earned it the name “teff,” meaning “lost” in Amharic, likely referring to its tiny size.
- Tags: Climate change, Ethiopia, teff
