Ethiopia Targets to Secure 50,000 Metric Tons of Harvest for Emergency Reserve

Addis Ababa, August 14, 2025 (ENA)—The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) has set a target to add 50,000 metric tons of agricultural produce to the country's emergency reserve during the current Meher (main rainy season) of 2017 Ethiopian Year, Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam said.

The Commissioner stated that enhancing the national reserve capacity is a key objective in the effort to ensure food sovereignty.

According to him, Ethiopia's impressive productivity across all agricultural sectors is making a significant contribution to boosting the nation's emergency reserve capacity.

​​​​​​He noted that a system has been established for regional governments to build their own reserves, enabling them to provide immediate relief to citizens in need.

To support the effort, a 3-billion-Birr fund has been allocated to enhance crop productivity for reserve purposes.

The Commissioner said the country currently needs a strategic grain reserve of 500,000 metric tons to effectively respond to emergencies.

In this first phase of the 2017 Meher season, the goal is to store 50,000 metric tons of crops.

Regional states, based on their agricultural potential, will increase crop production and transfer a portion of it to the Commission for the national reserve.

Shiferaw explained that this approach of sourcing grain for the reserve plays a crucial role in stabilizing the market and creating opportunities for increased production, thereby boosting overall productivity.

A national coordinating committee has been formed to oversee this initiative and provide financial support for regions facing shortages.

South Ethiopia Region Disaster Risk Management Commission, Commissioner Ganta Gama’a, stated that the region's approved disaster risk reserve fund regulation has created an opportunity to build its capacity for resource mobilization and emergency response.

As an example, he cited that last Ethiopia year, the region secured over 22,600 quintals of grain for emergency response.

To build on that success, the region has not only set aside a 1-billion-Birr reserve fund this year, but has also cultivated 6,300 hectares of land to increase food grain storage.