Ethiopia’s progress in food self-sufficiency commended at international conference

Addis Ababa, July 1, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s strides toward food self-sufficiency and poverty reduction have earned international recognition at a high-level meeting of the Global Alliance Against Poverty and Hunger, held on the sidelines of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Sustainable Development in Seville, Spain.

Speaking at the June 30 session, Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Girma Amente, highlighted the country’s flagship initiative, Yelemate Terufat—also known as Bounty of the Basket—which was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in November 2022. The program focuses on expanding the production of key agricultural commodities such as dairy, poultry, eggs, honey, fish, and meat to enhance national food security and improve rural livelihoods.

Dr. Girma emphasized that the initiative is rooted in indigenous knowledge and driven by strong community and government ownership. He noted that it has already delivered tangible outcomes in addressing hunger and reducing poverty across multiple regions of Ethiopia.

He also explained that while Bounty of the Basket is primarily financed through domestic resources, Ethiopia is actively seeking to strengthen partnerships and attract investment to broaden its scope. The country’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms, he said, have created a more conducive environment for foreign direct investment, particularly in agriculture and food systems.

The Minister reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to learning from global best practices as it continues its efforts toward sustainable development and inclusive growth.

African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina, who participated in the meeting, commended Ethiopia for its exceptional progress—most notably the achievement of full wheat self-sufficiency, as reported by ENA. He described Ethiopia’s experience as a powerful example for the continent, showing that food security is within reach through visionary leadership and targeted investments.

President Adesina further announced a USD 50 million commitment from the AfDB to support poultry development under Ethiopia’s Bounty of the Basket initiative, reinforcing international support for the country’s path toward agricultural transformation.