Ethiopia’s agricultural future is deeply intertwined with the health of its ecosystems. Among the most essential yet often overlooked contributors to agricultural productivity are insect pollinators. Recognizing their critical importance, Hawassa University, in collaboration with the JRS Biodiversity Foundation and the Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, has announced a National Workshop under the theme:
“Insect Pollinators’ Contribution for Food Security and Ecosystem Health in Ethiopia”
Scheduled for April 24–25, 2026, in Hawassa, Ethiopia, this workshop invites researchers, academics, policymakers, and development practitioners to submit original research papers that explore the ecological and economic significance of insect pollinators in Ethiopia.
This is more than just a workshop. It is a national call to rethink how biodiversity, agriculture, and food systems intersect in a country where millions depend directly on land-based livelihoods.
Why Insect Pollinators Matter in Ethiopia
Insect pollinators — including bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, and other species — are fundamental to ecosystem stability and agricultural production. Globally, pollinators contribute to the reproduction of nearly 75% of crop species. In Ethiopia, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy, their role is even more significant.
Coffee, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, and many other crops rely heavily on insect pollination. Ethiopia is the birthplace of Coffea arabica, and its coffee sector supports millions of households through farming, processing, and export. Without healthy pollinator populations, both crop yield and quality decline — directly affecting national income and household food security.
Yet pollinator populations are under threat due to:
- Habitat loss
- Deforestation
- Agricultural intensification
- Pesticide misuse
- Climate change
This workshop seeks to synthesize scientific findings and translate them into policy-relevant recommendations that can safeguard pollinators while enhancing agricultural productivity.
Background and Rationale
The workshop builds upon critical research findings from projects examining pollinator diversity under different land-use systems, including studies conducted in and around protected areas such as the Kafa Biosphere Reserve and the Bale Mountains National Park.
These studies reveal that land-use changes significantly influence pollinator diversity and efficiency. Forest proximity, shade management in coffee farms, and landscape complexity all shape pollination outcomes.
The national workshop aims to:
- Consolidate recent scientific research
- Discuss practical implications
- Develop actionable policy briefs
- Promote pollinator-friendly agricultural practices
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
In a country striving for food self-sufficiency and export competitiveness, protecting pollinators is not optional — it is strategic.
Workshop Objectives
The National Workshop has four primary objectives:
- Synthesize Scientific Findings
To disseminate recent research on insect pollinators and their contribution to Ethiopian agriculture. - Examine Pollination and Crop Productivity
To specifically assess the role of pollinators in improving the productivity and quality of coffee and other key crops. - Analyze Economic Value
To discuss the economic valuation of pollination services and their role in food security and rural livelihoods. - Develop Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations
To produce policy briefs that institutionalize pollinator-friendly agricultural practices.
These objectives highlight the workshop’s emphasis on applied research — research that directly informs agricultural policy, environmental management, and rural development planning.
Thematic Areas for Paper Submission
The organizers invite abstracts focusing on — but not limited to — the following themes:
Theme 1: Contribution of Insect Pollinators to Crop Productivity
This theme focuses on the direct ecological role of insect pollinators in agricultural systems.
Suggested areas include:
- Quantitative studies measuring yield improvements due to pollination
- Comparative analyses of pollinator diversity across farming systems
- Impact assessments of different land management practices
- Pollinator efficiency studies
Research that integrates field experiments, ecological modeling, or long-term biodiversity monitoring is particularly welcome.
Theme 2: The Critical Role of Pollinators in Ethiopian Coffee Production
Coffee is not just a crop in Ethiopia; it is an economic lifeline.
This theme invites research that:
- Examines the dependency of Coffea arabica on insect pollination
- Studies the influence of forest proximity on pollination rates
- Investigates shade-grown versus sun-grown coffee systems
- Assesses how landscape complexity affects coffee quality and fruit set
Given Ethiopia’s position as Africa’s leading coffee producer, understanding pollination dynamics can directly impact export performance and smallholder incomes.
Theme 3: The Economics of Pollination — Valuing Contributions to Food Production and Security
Beyond ecology, pollination has measurable economic value.
This theme encourages:
- Monetary valuation of pollination services
- Household income impact assessments
- Nutrition and food security analyses
- Cost-benefit studies of pollinator conservation interventions
By translating ecological functions into economic metrics, researchers can make a compelling case for policy integration and budget allocation.
Submission Guidelines
Interested authors are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words.
The abstract must clearly outline:
- Research background
- Objectives
- Methods
- Key findings (if available)
- Policy implications
Authors must include:
- Paper title
- Author(s) names
- Institutional affiliations
- Contact details of the corresponding author
Submissions should be sent via email as a PDF attachment to the workshop contact person.
When submitting, use the subject line:
“Abstract Submission: Pollinator Workshop Hawassa 2026”
Important Dates
- March 30, 2026 – Abstract Submission Deadline
- April 15, 2026 – Notification of Selected Abstracts
- April 24–25, 2026 – Workshop Dates
Selected authors will be invited to present their work during the workshop sessions in Hawassa.
Financial Support for Selected Authors
One of the most encouraging aspects of this workshop is the financial support offered to selected contributors.
For authors of selected papers:
- Transportation to and from Hawassa will be covered
- Accommodation will be provided
- Meals during the workshop will be fully covered
- A presentation honorarium will be provided
This support ensures broader participation, especially from early-career researchers and scholars from institutions with limited research funding.
Why You Should Participate
This workshop presents a unique opportunity to:
- Share your research with national stakeholders
- Contribute to policy-oriented discussions
- Network with biodiversity and agriculture experts
- Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration
- Enhance the visibility of your work
For researchers working in environmental economics, agricultural science, forestry, biodiversity conservation, development studies, or public policy, this workshop offers a valuable platform.
If you are conducting research related to ecosystem services, sustainable agriculture, or rural livelihoods, this is an ideal venue to showcase your findings.
Linking Pollinators to Ethiopia’s Broader Development Agenda
Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation strategy aims to improve productivity, enhance exports, and strengthen climate resilience. However, such goals cannot be achieved without protecting the natural systems that support farming.
Pollinators sit at the center of this nexus.
They connect:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Forest management
- Smallholder agriculture
- Climate adaptation
- Rural income generation
By participating in this workshop, researchers contribute to a broader national effort to integrate environmental sustainability with economic development.
A Call to Action
As climate change intensifies and land-use pressures increase, Ethiopia faces a pivotal choice: pursue short-term productivity gains at ecological cost, or invest in sustainable systems that protect biodiversity while enhancing long-term food security.
This National Workshop signals a commitment to the second path.
Researchers, academics, and practitioners are encouraged to seize this opportunity to present evidence-based insights that can shape national policy and agricultural practice.
The future of Ethiopian agriculture may well depend on small creatures that often go unnoticed — the insect pollinators that sustain our crops, forests, and livelihoods.
Let us bring science, policy, and practice together in Hawassa this April 2026 — and work collectively toward a resilient, biodiverse, and food-secure Ethiopia.
