There have been sporadic protests in Amhara and Oromia over the last two years. Last year plans to allocate land surrounding Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, for development, prompted fierce demonstrations from members of the Oromo, the country’s largest ethnic group. Many of those who would have been displaced by the new scheme were Oromo.
There's been unrest in Ethiopia for several months now, but after Esmeralda Farms was burned down, it escalated. Companies are regularly under attack, including an onion grower and a potato grower last week.
Business as usual
But according to Kemal Mohammed, a General Manager at Ethio Agri-CEFT plc, the protests have so far had a zero effect on exports or activities on their farms.
There's been unrest in Ethiopia for several months now, but after Esmeralda Farms was burned down, it escalated. Companies are regularly under attack, including an onion grower and a potato grower last week.
Business as usual
But according to Kemal Mohammed, a General Manager at Ethio Agri-CEFT plc, the protests have so far had a zero effect on exports or activities on their farms.
“The protests might have effects in the future, but so far we are carrying on with our business as usual. Up to now, we haven’t experienced any problems on our farms and everything is going ahead as planned,” explains Mohammed.
"Some farms in the protest hotspots have been affected but the loss hasn’t been quantified yet."
From Mohammed’s point of view, as much as the protesters are angry with the government, they are very cautious, and would never vent their anger on private farms. “Protesters are aware they can’t touch private farms and then again the protests aren’t happening all over the country - mostly it’s the Northern region but really, it’s just a few pockets. For us we can produce and transport to Addis Ababa as usual,” adds Mohammed.
But according to Dutch grower Paul Holla, owner of Ethiopian rose farm Holla Roses, located in Ziway, the situation seems to be different, "The farm is heavily guarded and the trucks go to the airport in convoy."
Extra protection
Farms in Ethiopia are under constant threat and are therefore heavily guarded. Holla Roses is too. "All over the farm, police and undercover agents are present," says Paul. And fortunately, the production continues, as the employees are still coming to the farm to work. "There is not that much unrest in Ziway, but the people in the village are scared too. The farm is being protected, so they feel safer over there."
As production continues, the flowers need to be transported to the airport, which brings us to the next problem. Trucks are not safe anywhere. So, the five flower farms in the Oromia region decided to have their trucks drive in convoy, to and from the airport, in Addis Ababa. "Yesterday, we did this for the first time, and even though the trucks were attacked on their way to the airport, our flowers got there on time.'' But things aren't running smoothly there either. Not all planned flights are leaving. "One of the two scheduled flights were cancelled, because there were not enough flowers," he says.
Food is scarce
And on top of that, another problem may arise in the coming days - namely the availability of food. "Nothing is being shipped from Addis Ababa to Ziway. Many shops are empty and all the banks and schools are closed. And this is not only the case for Ziway, but every village throughout Ethiopia", says Paul Holla.
"The problem concerns everyone in Ethiopia, so every farm has to deal with the protests, the challenges and the risks."
"Some farms in the protest hotspots have been affected but the loss hasn’t been quantified yet."
From Mohammed’s point of view, as much as the protesters are angry with the government, they are very cautious, and would never vent their anger on private farms. “Protesters are aware they can’t touch private farms and then again the protests aren’t happening all over the country - mostly it’s the Northern region but really, it’s just a few pockets. For us we can produce and transport to Addis Ababa as usual,” adds Mohammed.
But according to Dutch grower Paul Holla, owner of Ethiopian rose farm Holla Roses, located in Ziway, the situation seems to be different, "The farm is heavily guarded and the trucks go to the airport in convoy."
Extra protection
Farms in Ethiopia are under constant threat and are therefore heavily guarded. Holla Roses is too. "All over the farm, police and undercover agents are present," says Paul. And fortunately, the production continues, as the employees are still coming to the farm to work. "There is not that much unrest in Ziway, but the people in the village are scared too. The farm is being protected, so they feel safer over there."
As production continues, the flowers need to be transported to the airport, which brings us to the next problem. Trucks are not safe anywhere. So, the five flower farms in the Oromia region decided to have their trucks drive in convoy, to and from the airport, in Addis Ababa. "Yesterday, we did this for the first time, and even though the trucks were attacked on their way to the airport, our flowers got there on time.'' But things aren't running smoothly there either. Not all planned flights are leaving. "One of the two scheduled flights were cancelled, because there were not enough flowers," he says.
Food is scarce
And on top of that, another problem may arise in the coming days - namely the availability of food. "Nothing is being shipped from Addis Ababa to Ziway. Many shops are empty and all the banks and schools are closed. And this is not only the case for Ziway, but every village throughout Ethiopia", says Paul Holla.
"The problem concerns everyone in Ethiopia, so every farm has to deal with the protests, the challenges and the risks."
