Zambia, Mozambique Seek to Replicate Ethiopia’s Agricultural Breakthrough

Addis Ababa, August 1, 2025 (ENA)— Zambia and Mozambique have expressed strong interest in adopting Ethiopia’s agricultural practices, particularly its successful wheat production model that has made it the leading producer in Africa.

During the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment held in Addis Ababa, Zambia’s Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri and Mozambique’s Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Minister Roberto Mito Albino have held talks with Ethiopia’s Agriculture Minister Girma Amente.

 Both ministers emphasized the importance of learning from Ethiopia’s rapid progress in food self-sufficiency and agribusiness development.

 In an exclusive interview with ENA, Zambia’s Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri praised Ethiopia’s transformation from a wheat importer to an exporter, noting its success in mobilizing smallholder farmers and adapting wheat cultivation to dry regions.

 “Ethiopia was importing wheat just recently; but now it’s exporting and has become the top wheat producer in Africa. That’s remarkable. We’re keen to learn how smallholder farmers were included in wheat production, especially in dry areas. Ethiopia’s ‘food basket’ concept is also very appealing and worth exploring.”

 The minister further emphasized the potential for Zambia and Ethiopia to collaborate, especially in seed production.

 “Zambia is one of the leading seed producers in Africa. I would be very pleased to explore opportunities with Ethiopia to exchange knowledge and expertise so that Ethiopia can also strengthen its seed production capacity.”

 Phiri also expressed interest in Ethiopia’s dietary culture, particularly introducing teff to Zambia, and proposed deeper cooperation, including farmer exchange, technology transfer, and joint coffee production for local use and export.

 According to him, Africans can leverage their natural resources and emerging technologies together to produce quality seed for the global market as there is a growing global gap in food and seed supply due to geopolitical factors.

 “So, I believe we can collaborate to help fill that void.”

 Mozambique’s Agriculture Minister Roberto Mito Albino, on his stated that “Ethiopia’s achievement in substituting over USD 1 billion in wheat imports through domestic production is a model Mozambique seeks to follow.”

 He announced plans to return to Ethiopia with a high-level delegation to study its approach firsthand.

 “This partnership is transformative. We want to build a strong agriculture sector in Mozambique, and Ethiopia’s success provides a roadmap,” he said.

 Albino added that Ethiopia’s growing agribusiness sector is an example for countries facing climate challenges, like Mozambique.

 While acknowledging that Mozambique has its own contributions to make, the Minister stressed the immediate focus on learning from Ethiopia’s experience.

 Both officials underscored the value of South-South cooperation and the urgency of building resilient food systems across Africa.