Malt Barley Value Chain Analysis in Ethiopia: The Case of North Shewa Central Highland in Amhara Region Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is the center of diversity for barley which is an important crop produced in the study areas for home consumption and income generation purposes. Various value chain actors are involved in the production and marketing process of malt barley. The actors are governed from input supply up to final consumption through various value-addition processes. Farmers have a basic role in the production and marketing of malt barley. The area allocation for malt barley production and volume of supply increased from time to time because of market demand improvement. Low investment in the production of malt barley contributed to low productivity and poor quality of the produce. Quality and quantity of supply are the most important challenges to satisfy the required demand. Price fluctuation in the market varied from the immediate harvest to the rainy seasons which influenced the value chain process with inconsistent supply. Improving farmers’ awareness is very important to reduce production-related challenges and to improve the volume of production to the market.