Jimma Area, Western Ethiopia

Country/Site

Ethiopia

1.Problem Definition

Are there clear complex challenges (wicked problems) that require a systemic and interdisciplinary approach?

In Jimma’s maize belt, monocropping dominates and existing grazing areas are increasingly put under pressure due to crop land expansion, limiting resilience and soil health. Diversifying with grain and forage legumes—like soybean, lablab, and cowpea—offers ecological and economic gains. Yet, limited knowledge of improved legume cropping practices, weak seed and market systems, limited awareness, and capacity gaps complicate the adoption of legume technologies and practices. Systems science is essential to navigate these interlinked biophysical and institutional challenges.

2. Disciplinary strength

Are there previous studies with strong disciplinary research and development efforts and main issues and single component options identified?

There is a strong foundation of disciplinary and multi-disciplinary R&D in the Jimma area. Teams from ILRI (crop-livestock systems and scaling), CIMMYT (maize and soil fertility), Wageningen University (farming systems analysis), Jimma University (agroecology), and Jimma Agricultural Research Center (forage development) have collaborated extensively. These efforts have produced key outputs such as the Gendered Feed Assessment Tool (G-FEAST) by ILRI, on-farm demonstrations of conservation agriculture and forage options by CIMMYT, ILRI, Jimma University, and JARC, and regenerative soil fertility improvement options by CIMMYT. These initiatives have laid a strong disciplinary foundation for systems-oriented work.

3. Data richness

Have previous and current R&D activities generated sufficient specific or disciplinary data?

Data richness
Previous and ongoing R&D activities have generated rich, specific datasets across disciplines. These include a baseline survey by the Mixed Farming Systems Initiative, a conjoint analysis by Wageningen University, and detailed assessments of feed resources and forage options by ILRI. These datasets provide a robust empirical base for systems science research, enabling integrated analysis of biophysical, economic, and institutional dimensions in the Jimma context.

4. Development partnership

Are there partner institutions engaged in developing the region through socio-technical innovations?

There are strong development partnerships supporting socio-technical innovation in the Jimma region. Key partners include Jimma University, Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), EIAR–Jimma Branch, Zonal and District Agricultural Offices, farmer organizations (Jimma Cooperative Union), SAMANU (soybean processing company) and private enterprises supplying legume seeds, including forage seeds (e.g. startups in Jimma city). NGOs such as Land O’Lakes Venture37, SNV Ethiopia and Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR Ethiopia) also play vital roles in scaling innovations and strengthening local systems.

5. National investment plans aligned

Are there national investment plans aligned or prioritized?

This case study aligns well with national investment priorities. Soybean is recognized as a nationally prioritized crop, both for food, cash and feed. Jimma area is one of the development corridors under the recent soybean development initiative of the government of Ethiopia. Maize remains a key staple in Ethiopia’s food security agenda. Livestock improvement is also a national priority, particularly under the Bounty of the Basket initiative, which promotes integrated crop-livestock development.

6. Representativeness

Is the case study representative of a wider region or other sites?

The case study is highly representative of Ethiopia’s broader maize belt and holds regional significance across East and Southern Africa, where maize is a dominant staple. The challenges of monocropping, soil degradation, and limited crop-livestock integration are common across these regions, making the Jimma experience relevant for scalable, systems-based innovations beyond national boundaries.

8. Donor interest

Are there donors interested in specific region/issue and prioritized for investment?

There is strong donor interest aligned with national priorities in the Jimma region. Soybean and maize are nationally prioritised crops, and livestock improvement is a key focus under the Bounty of the Basket initiative. Additionally, the Agricultural Commercialisation Cluster (ACC)—a systems-oriented platform for agricultural transformation—has attracted significant donor engagement, making it a strategic entry point for coordinated investments in integrated crop-livestock systems and value chain development.