That payoff, and the dwindling availability of land, has pushed thousands of farmers to switch to khat, he said. There simply are not enough jobs, young people complain, often expressing doubt over the government’s growth figures. More than half of the city’s youth now chew khat, Mr. Shidigaf said. “It’s bad for Ethiopia’s economic development because they become lazy, unproductive, and their health will be affected,” he said. PhotoA group of men sat around drinking the homemade liquor and chewing khat, an act that could be considered illegal under the current state of emergency.

Source: Ethiopian News July 22, 2017 18:45 UTC