Ensuring Food Sovereignty Is Matter of National Security for Ethiopia, Officials Assert

ADAMA: Ethiopian government officials have emphasized that ensuring food sovereignty is an essential component of national security, highlighting its importance during a panel discussion in Adama city, Oromia region. The event, themed "Boost Productivity, Safeguard Sovereignty," was organized by the Ethiopian News Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Disaster Risk Management Commission, and Ethiopian Diaspora Service.According to Ethiopian News Agency, Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa stated that food sovereignty should reflect the nation's identity. She emphasized the media's role in correcting misconceptions and raising awareness, urging a shift in focus from merely reporting events to changing public attitudes. The minister also highlighted the need for disaster preparedness at both regional and family levels, alongside national efforts.Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklamariam reiterated the significance of food sovereignty as a national security issue, emphasizing the importance of hard work to achieve this goal. He noted that while there is a favorable environment in Ethiopia for ensuring food sovereignty, institutional efforts must be increased and strengthened.Mandefro Ngusie, Director-General of the Agricultural Transformation Institute, presented an article titled "Food Sovereignty Framework in Ethiopia." He explained that food sovereignty is closely linked to freedom and self-determination, asserting that a nation relying on food aid cannot be entirely independent. Ngusie reported that the efforts undertaken in Ethiopia to achieve food sovereignty are showing positive results, with policy reforms and multi-faceted activities in the agricultural sector contributing to this progress.Ngusie further stressed the importance of increasing productivity in a sustainable manner to secure food sovereignty, noting that favorable conditions have been established within the agricultural sector to support these efforts.