Ethiopia's growth and poverty reduction from 1996 to 2011 were driven by increased agricultural output, safety nets, and better market access. Growth in agriculture, especially for smallholder cereal farmers, played a key role in reducing poverty, particularly after 2005. The government's focus on improving productivity in agriculture helped, but only when weather conditions were favorable and prices were high. Market access was crucial, as agricultural growth had a bigger impact on poverty in areas near urban centers compared to remote regions.