Cluster Farming and Irrigation Drive Ethiopia’s Expanding Food Security Gains – GCS

Addis Ababa, April 30, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to attain food self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on food aid are delivering tangible results, the Government Communication Service (GCS) said in a statement issued today.

The statement indicated that the country’s strategic policy direction is generating consistent gains, enabling millions of citizens to transition from dependency on assistance to productive economic participation. This shift, it noted, reflects a broader structural transformation toward economic self-reliance that continues to be reinforced on a sustainable foundation.

According to the GCS, the progress achieved so far represents an accelerating historic process aimed at realizing a food self-sufficient Ethiopia in the years ahead.

Central to this trajectory is the implementation of the Homegrown Economic Reform (HGER) program, which prioritizes domestic productivity and seeks to dismantle entrenched reliance on external support. The reforms are facilitating a structural transition toward a more resilient and self-sustaining economy.

In the agricultural sector, the expansion of cluster farming and irrigated wheat development has significantly boosted productivity, enabling multiple harvest cycles annually. These interventions have strengthened food security at both household and national levels, while supporting Ethiopia’s shift from a wheat-importing to a wheat-exporting country.

The statement further highlighted ongoing reforms to the national safety net framework, which are repositioning it from a system of passive assistance to one that promotes active participation in development. The measures aim to foster self-reliance among beneficiaries, while reinforcing the principle that aid should serve as temporary support during periods of crisis rather than a sustained livelihood source.

As a result, an increasing number of citizens are moving from dependency to productivity, underpinned by a growing national outlook that values work, resilience, and sustainable development.

The GCS also cited flagship initiatives such as “YeLemat Trufat” (Bounty of the Basket) and the Green Legacy, noting that their implementation—supported by strong leadership and coordinated execution—is translating policy direction into measurable outcomes on the ground.

Overall, the statement underscored that Ethiopia’s strategy to overcome dependency is yielding concrete results, contributing to a notable decline in reliance on external assistance and advancing the country’s broader development objectives.

It added that the progress being registered demonstrates Ethiopia’s commitment to a self-driven development path, anchored in domestic policy and the active participation of its citizens.