Asnesh Abebe

Ethiopian agricultural innovator who developed drought-resistant crops transforming food security in the Horn of Africa.

Asnesh Abebe (b.1930) is a trailblazing agronomist from Ethiopia whose work in crop science revolutionized farming in arid regions. Growing up in a pastoralist Oromo family, he witnessed the devastating impact of recurring droughts. His 1962 discovery of Teff Varietal 7—a drought-resistant grain—became a cornerstone of Ethiopia's food security strategy. This high-protein crop now constitutes 15% of Ethiopia's agricultural output, saving millions from famine.

Abeebe's 1968 ICARDA collaboration pioneered intercropping techniques that doubled yields in semi-arid zones. His Soil Moisture Conservation Project (1970) introduced terracing methods still used across the Sahel. Unlike Western green revolution models, his approach emphasized indigenous knowledge, preserving local seed varieties while improving productivity.

His 1974 book 《Desert Farming: Merging Traditional Techniques with Modern Science》 became a manual for dryland agriculture. Despite political upheavals, he maintained Ethiopia's agricultural research institutes during the 1970s famine, securing funding through the FAO. His Farmer Field Schools model inspired similar programs in Kenya and Sudan.

Abeebe's legacy includes the Abebe Crops Research Institute, which continues developing climate-resilient crops. His work directly influenced the UN's Zero Hunger initiative, and his methods are now part of the UNCCD's desertification strategy. His 1980s seed bank project preserved over 3,000 African crop varieties, safeguarding biodiversity against climate change.