Maria,

I don't know the climate of Ethiopia but you should check on the winter cold before you start selecting cultivars. Olives require a winter cold period. Without sufficient cold they will not fruit.

Your next decision is whether to grow the classic oil varieties which come from the north shore of the Mediterraean and are well known for their quality oil (for example Frantoio, Moriaiolo, Leccino etc) or to pick cultivars from North Africa which are also good oil producers but are not so well recognised in the market place. These cultivars will probably have a lower cold requirement.

You may also find it useful to contact Olives Australia who have considerable experience in growing olives "out of area." They are based in the high country of Queensland which is a sub tropical region with summer rainfall not the winter rainfall found in the Mediterranean.

The founder of Olives Australia is I think working on an aid project in Nepal and if you can contact him he might provide you with some useful advice.

Grafting is a practical skill that needs an experienced person. My attempts have all failed.

Cheers Brian Chatterton