Why is Ethiopia always hungry? In 1974, Louis Leake discovered a 3.2 million-year-old skeleton that he named "Lucy" in the Afar region of Ethiopia. This evidence indicates that human inhabitants have lived in the region for millions of years. Today in Ethiopia people suffer chronically from hunger. There have been recurring famines leading to the starvation and death of hundreds of thousands of people. The country's population is outpacing its food production. Did “Lucy” die of hunger? Why can't Ethiopia feed its population? Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country with a long and complex history dating back thousands of years. Located in the eastern Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a landlocked country slightly smaller than twice the size of Texas. In 1994, a federal republic was created consisting of nine ethnically based states and led by a popularly elected president (“Central Intelligence Agency”). It has a current population of 93 million people. In 2013, Ethiopia recorded a population growth rate of 2.9%, ranking ninth in the world for population growth. This growth rate is expected to continue over the next 40 years (Population Challenges). The country is made up of many ethnic groups, with the Oromo (35%) and the Amhara (27%) making up the largest groups. In general, the population is rural and poor. Only 17% of the population lives in urban centers. Agriculture is the main driver of the Ethiopian economy. Most agriculture occurs on small farms and consists of subsistence farming. Commercial agriculture is very scarce. Agriculture contributes 46% of GNP and employs 85% of the population (“Ethiopia”). The geography of Ethiopia is a plateau divided by the Great Rift Valley. There is a center mount......middle of paper......and weather conditions, the problem continues to grow. Solving these problems requires action at all levels: by the international community and the United Nations, by the Ethiopian federal government and by members of regional and local communities. The course of action for Ethiopia will require time and financial support. The problem did not develop overnight and cannot be resolved quickly. By working together to provide sustainable solutions, the people of Ethiopia could one day be protected during times of drought by having enough food available to prevent famine and starvation. Hopefully, one day Ethiopia will be able to implement the reforms and changes needed to sustain itself. By providing adequate food to the population, the need for food distribution will be eliminated. Maybe one day soon we will be able to stop asking ourselves: “Why is Ethiopia always hungry??”