Potentially, Oromia is one of the richest countries in Africa. Agriculture is the backbone of its economy. Still employing archaic methods, subsistence agriculture is the means of livelihood for more than 85 per cent of the population. There are a variety of farm animals and crop plants. Farm animals include cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, mules, horses, camels and chicken. The Cushitic speaking communities of this region are credited with the domestication of donkey and were the first to breed mules, (a result of a cross between a donkey and a mare). The Oromo are expert in animal husbandry through their long tradition as herdsmen. For some, cattle-rearing (pastorals) is still the main occupation.
Varieties of important crops exist naturally in Oromia. These diverse crop plants are valuable natural resources. By virtue of relatively abundant rainfall, suitable soils and other agricultural potentialities, Oromia remains the major crop producing region in the Empire. Accordingly, Oromia has approximately accounted for 60% of major food crops production in Ethiopia.
The main cash crops are coffee and chat (a stimulant shrub). Coffee, a major cash earner for many countries, has its origin in the forests of Oromia -Jimma region. Specifically, Kafa and Limmu are considered centers of origin for coffee. It is from here that coffee spread to other parts of the world. Coffee was one of the export items of Oromia before colonization. In the west Oromia exported coffee to the Sudan through the inland port of Gambelia on the Baro river and border towns of Kurmuk, Gissan, Kuburi etc. In the east Hararge region of Oromia has been producing one of the finest coffees for export. Coffee has remained the major export item, representing more than 60 per cent for the total foreign earnings of successive Ethiopian colonial regimes. Oromia accounted for 77.6% of coffee plantation at the turning of the 21st century and delivered annually about 68% of coffee production for foreign market. And Oromia accounts nearly for 85% out of the total coffee export of Ethiopia. Similarly, out of 53 districts known for Coffee production in the Empire 42 (79%) are found in Oromia showing the tremendous resource base the region is endowed with.
Crops like anchote (root crop), okra, etc. are also indigenous to Oromia. Because of Oromia’s favorable climate and rich soil, many types of crops are cultivated and normally there is little need for irrigation. Normally one and sometimes two crops can be harvested annually from the same field. Among the major food crops are cereals (wheat, barley, tef, sorghum, corn, millet, etc.); fiber crops (cotton); root crops (potato, sweet potato, yam, inset, anchote, etc.); pulses include (peas, beans, chick-peas, lentils, etc.); oil crops (oil crops, flax, etc.); fruits (orange, mango, avocado, banana, lemon, pineapple, peach, etc.) and spices (onion, garlic, coriander, ginger, etc). Oromia is also rich in wild animals.
There are around 800 bird species and more than 100 wild animal species in Oromia. Endemic wild animals such as the mountain Nyala, the Semen Red Fox and Bushbuck inhabit the Bale mountain’s Dinsho national park.
The Awash and Dinsho Parks of Oromia consists of most of the East African plain games that are homes to the Oryx, Kudu, Caracal, Aardvark, Columbus Monkey, buffalo, Giraffe, Green Monkeys, Baboons, Leopard, Klipspringer, Hippo, Semarang’s Gazelle, Gravy’s Zebra and Cheetah. They are also sanctuary for numerous bird-species, including Limburger, Wattle Crane, Angur Buzzard, Verreaux Eagle and long eared owls. Water Fowls, Shore Birds and the colorful Ruddy Shelled Duck as well as the endemic Blue-winged Goose are common in the marshy areas of the parks. These are a source of attraction for tourists and natural scientists alike.
Oromia has also important mineral deposits. Huge gold deposits at Laga Dambi and Shakiso in south Oromia are being extracted by the private company of Muhammad Al Amudi. The campony extract over 6000 tons of gold annually from the sites. The TPLF investment companies do have shares in the gold mining industry with Medrok Ethiopia of Mohammed Al Amoudi. The platinum mining at Adola in Yubdo, the gold mine at Nejjo, Birbir river valley in western Oromia are the major sources of revenue for the central government. Other important minerals found in Oromia are sulphur, iron-ore (around Ghimbi, western Oromia), silver and salt (in south east Oromia) and marble at Daleti in western Oromia.
As early as 1900 Menilik granted concessions to a Swiss company to mine gold, silver and other minerals in Nejjo, western Oromia. Later the Germans took over. English, Russian and Italian companies extracted gold and platinum at Yubdo and neighboring areas in the same region. It is known that large deposits of natural gas and oil exist in Baale and Hararge regions. The Ethiopian government announced in 1986 the discovery of a new deposit of natural gas in Baale.
The hundreds of hot springs scattered over Oromia are also of economic importance. Thousands of people, including foreigners, visit these springs for their medicinal and recreational value.They are a great potential source of thermal energy. Rivers, streams and springs are plentiful. The rivers have many falls that could be used to generate electric power with little effort. The extent of this electric power could easily satisfy the power needs of Oromia and several neighboring countries.
Today almost all economic sectors in Oromia are monopolized by TPLF investment companies and by few other private companies having economic and political links with the government.
