Addis ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia's summer wheat cultivation has achieved significant gains, marking a transformative shift in the country's agricultural landscape and bolstering its food security prospects.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Prime Minister shared these insights following his visit to inspect wheat crops spread over 2,150 hectares in Sululta Woreda of North Shewa Zone, located in the Oromia Region. During his field visit, PM Abiy emphasized the transformative impact of expanding wheat cultivation into previously unused lands, urging a departure from fallow practices to reduce dependency and enhance self-sufficiency.
PM Abiy highlighted that wheat had been cultivated over 4.4 million hectares in the previous summer, with an additional 3.8 million hectares this year, culminating in a total of over 8 million hectares. This expansion has resulted in a production exceeding 330 million quintals, positioning Ethiopia among Africa's leading wheat producers.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the previous year's combined summer and winter harvest amounted to 280 million quintals, with the current year witnessing a 50 million quintal increase. He attributed this growth to the expansion of farmland and enhanced productivity measures.
North Shewa Zone, in particular, has seen notable yield improvements due to the cultivation of previously uncultivated land and more efficient resource utilization. Irrigation developments, including river diversions and the strategic use of seasonal rains, have also contributed significantly to the increased output.
PM Abiy further elaborated on the economic impact, noting that the rise in productivity is improving farmers' livelihoods. He stressed that focused efforts and effective resource management can yield tangible results, advocating for the scaling up of agricultural innovations to boost productivity nationwide.
The Prime Minister called for continued momentum, urging farmers, extension workers, and officials to build on the current progress. He highlighted Ethiopia's strong growth potential and emphasized the need for sustained production to not only achieve self-sufficiency but also to support others.
While acknowledging existing challenges, PM Abiy expressed confidence in overcoming obstacles through sustained commitment. He reaffirmed Ethiopia's steady advancements toward national food self-sufficiency in a social media post, noting that expanded wheat cultivation continues to yield encouraging results across the country.