It is chickpea pod season in Addis Abeba, a time when residents enjoy "Eshet," a favorite green nibble with roots in local households. Available from November to January, market-oriented production of these nutritious pods (rich in protein, antioxidants, and fiber) is a recent development. As a major chickpea producer (contributing about 17pc globally), Ethiopia benefits from this dual-purpose crop, used both for food and for improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers. This popularity has created a valuable niche market, providing farmers with immediate cash flow during harvest and establishing the crop as a popular seasonal street snack in urban areas.
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