Addis Ababa, July 8, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation is strengthening food security while opening new pathways for export growth, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said, pointing to rising productivity, expanding market-oriented production and the growing resilience of the sector.
The Prime Minister made the remarks yesterday during the 30th regular session of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, where he reviewed the government’s performance during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year.
He said the changes underway in agriculture reflect a broader structural transformation, with the sector increasingly moving beyond traditional production patterns toward higher productivity, diversification and greater self-reliance.
During the current production season, Ethiopia cultivated 29 million hectares of land and harvested 1.3 billion quintals of produce, while the agricultural sector registered 7.7 percent growth, according to the Prime Minister.
He attributed the progress to sustained efforts aimed at improving productivity and expanding strategic agricultural programs, including the nationwide “Bounty of the Basket” initiative.
Prime Minister Abiy highlighted Ethiopia’s growing agricultural export potential, citing the country’s achievement in becoming the second-largest avocado exporter in Africa as a sign of the emerging opportunities in the sector.
He also pointed to the expansion of wheat production in Borena, an area previously affected by severe drought, as an example of how targeted interventions are reshaping agricultural possibilities in different parts of the country.
The Prime Minister said Ethiopia’s agricultural strategy is built around production and self-reliance, stressing that the country’s ambition is to overcome dependence by strengthening its own capacity.
He added that despite global pressures, including rising fertilizer and fuel costs, Ethiopia continues to pursue food sovereignty through increased production, innovation and resilience.
Prime Minister Abiy said transforming agriculture remains central to Ethiopia’s wider development agenda by ensuring food security, generating export earnings and strengthening the country’s economic independence.