But many farmers struggle just to raise enough food for their families. Droughts occur from time to time and sometimes result in famine. Agriculture employs about 85 percent of the country's workers. About 5 percent of the workers have jobs in manufacturing, and about 10 percent in service industries, such as banking, government, insurance, and tourism. Mining and fishing are minor economic activities.
Most Ethiopian farmers produce goods chiefly for their own use.
The main crops include wheat, corn, sorghum, and a grain called teff. Many farmers in the southwest grow coffee plants. Other crops grown for sale include oilseeds and sugar cane. Most farmers also raise cattle, goats, sheep, and chickens. Farmers make use of only a small part of the land suitable for agriculture in Ethiopia.