Ethiopia Eyes Replicating Success Story of Wheat in Rice Cultivation

Addis Ababa,August 31/2024(ENA)- Ethiopia has tremendously embarked on activities to realize the transformation of rice and edible oil, driven by a success story in wheat productivity, Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute CEO Mandefro Nigussie said.

The East African nation has undertaken massive economic reform during the past six years. And agriculture is one of the nation’s major priority sectors of the reform.

Particularly, the government has chosen wheat as a strategic commodity for food security, import substitution that transits to export, and job creation along the value chain.

In this respect, Ethiopia's wheat production has recently reached a new milestone and enabled the country to stand as one of the  largest producers of wheat in Africa, it was indicated.

Driving lessons from wheat cultivation success, the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture recognized the importance of rice, considering it as the "millennium crop” that is expected to ensure food security in the country.  

Since its introduction, rice production has shown rapid and widespread expansion to various parts of the country as the country has vast suitable ecologies for rice production.

Rice has now become an important strategic crop in Ethiopia and is highly  anticipated to help  the country achieve the development of the National Rice Strategy Plan (2020–2030).

Director General at the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute Mandefro Nigussie told ENA that the government is committed to realize the transformation of rice and edible oil by repeating the success story of wheat production.

Reiterating that Ethiopia’s success story in wheat self-sufficiency will be repeated in the growing, important and strategic rice crop in Ethiopia, he noted the country is working with the plan to ensure food self-sufficiency; expand export trade and realize import substitution on rice and edible oil as well.

The CEO also stressed the need for reinforcing the collaboration, dedication and commitment of all stakeholders to realize Ethiopia’s ambition to self-sufficiency and expanding export trade as well.

Recall that recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the prestigious UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Agricola Medal in Rome.

The premier was awarded for his government’s vision, leadership, and commitment to food security and nutrition as well as the pursuit of innovative solutions in wheat self-sufficiency.

This recognition comes as a testament to Ethiopia’s dedication to food security, particularly in the domain of wheat production, it was learned.