Emnet Negash

Harvesting grapes from one of the two founder vines of the Rubaksum Tsellim landrace, trained over a household pergola in Aksum, Tigray. Yemane Hailu Fissuh

July 21, 2026

Tigray’s old grapevines have survived against the odds: new research uncovers their genetic and historic value

Jan Nyssen, Ghent University; Alemtsehay Tsegay, Mekelle University; Emnet Negash, Ghent University; Oregon State University; Federica Sulas, University of Gothenburg; Mariano Ucchesu, Université de Montpellier; Tesfaalem Gebreyohannes, Mekelle University, and Yemane Hailu Fissuh

A distinctive local variety of grapevine from Ethiopia’s Tigray region could offer potential as a dryland crop.

Dabba Selama and its surroundings. Courtesy of authors

May 30, 2023

Ethiopia: how a lucky village in Tigray survived the devastating war

Jan Nyssen, Ghent University; Biadgilgn Demissie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB); Emnet Negash, Oregon State University; Hailemariam Meaza, Mekelle University; Sofie Annys, Ghent University; Tesfaalem Gebreyohannes, Mekelle University, and Zbelo Tesfamariam, Mekelle University

Even though the Tigray war front moved past Dabba Selama several times, the community suffered less than other nearby villages.

shutterstock.

November 4, 2021

Pasha 130: The Ethiopia and Tigray conflict is worsening hunger in the region

Ozayr Patel, The Conversation

CC BY-NC-ND9.46 MB (download)

Unless the blockade by Ethiopia is lifted, Tigray will be in a very bad famine situation.

Internally displaced people in Tigray in April 2021. UNICEF Ethiopia/flickr

November 4, 2021

Tigray: the devastating toll of Ethiopia’s vicious year of war – podcast

Daniel Merino, The Conversation; Gemma Ware, The Conversation, and Godfred Boafo, The Conversation

Plus, why reusable food containers aren’t always better for the environment than disposable ones. Listen to The Conversation Weekly.

In north Ethiopia, farmers commonly use an ox-drawn single-tined plough called mahrasha. Photo by: Edwin Remsberg / VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

August 22, 2021

How Ethiopia’s conflict has affected farming in Tigray

Jan Nyssen, Ghent University; Emnet Negash, Ghent University, and Sofie Annys, Ghent University

Due to warfare, ploughing and planting was not timely in Tigray. This may lead to a second year with failed crops.

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Tigray’s old grapevines have survived against the odds: new research uncovers their genetic and historic value

Ethiopia: how a lucky village in Tigray survived the devastating war

Pasha 130: The Ethiopia and Tigray conflict is worsening hunger in the region

Tigray: the devastating toll of Ethiopia’s vicious year of war – podcast

How Ethiopia’s conflict has affected farming in Tigray

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