Replicating wheat production success in other domains crucial to driving sustainable growth and food security

Addis Ababa, June 15, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture has called for intensified efforts to replicate the remarkable success achieved in wheat production across other key agricultural commodities, reinforcing the country’s drive toward sustainable economic growth and a resilient food system.

Speaking to Fana Digital, Mr. Zena Habtewold, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, highlighted the government’s multifaceted initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and climate resilience.

He pointed to Ethiopia’s milestone achievement of meeting national wheat demand through domestic production, eliminating the need for imports — a testament to effective agricultural reforms and targeted investments.

“This accomplishment demonstrates the sector’s critical contribution to the nation’s economy, and we are committed to expanding these successes to crops such as rice and others,” Mr. Zena stated.

He emphasized ongoing programs including the Bounty of the Basket campaign, enhanced rice production, the Green Legacy initiative, and comprehensive climate change mitigation efforts as key pillars supporting this transformation.

In addition to scaling production, the ministry is strengthening national capacity to respond proactively to both natural and human-induced disasters, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure timely and effective interventions.

“Our integrated approach across sectors is essential to achieving Ethiopia’s overarching goals of prosperity, food security, and sovereignty,” Mr. Zena affirmed.

Zena claimed that Ethiopia is also advancing its commitments under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), with an emphasis on improving data integrity and performance transparency.

The ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant bodies to verify and validate agricultural sector data for international acceptance, he aseerted.

Support from global partners such as the World Bank and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) remains pivotal in bolstering Ethiopia’s agricultural development efforts.