Ministry Moves to Boost Women’s Role in Horticulture

Addis Ababa, November 20, 2025 (ENA) -- The Ministry of Agriculture said that it is stepping up efforts to strengthen women’s participation in the horticulture subsector, where women account for more than 80 percent of the workforce.

A national conference on Women in Horti-Business was held in Addis Ababa under the theme “Empowering the Source: Unleashing Women’s Potential in the Horticulture Subsector.”

Speaking at the conference, Abera Lema, Advisor to the State Minister of Agriculture, said the initiative focuses on empowerment, skills development and inclusive policy support.

The ministry is giving greater attention to the horticulture subsector because of its importance for export earnings, import substitution and job creation for women and youth, he emphasized.

According to him, several measures have been introduced, including targeted capacity building, inclusive policy support and efforts to ensure gender equity.

Yordanos Jemal, Vice Chairperson of Ethiopian Horticulture producer Exporter Association (EHPEA), on her part said the conference aims to promote women’s advancement into leadership roles, identify the challenges they face and outline a clear direction for future action.

She said women make up more than 80 percent of the workforce in the horticulture industry and urged stronger efforts to move them beyond basic employment into managerial positions so they can benefit more fully and help the sector grow.

She added that the industry earned about 500 million dollars in 2017 EFY, placing it fourth among Ethiopia’s export items.

Paula Schindeler, Deputy Head of Mission at the Netherlands Embassy in Addis Ababa, said horticulture remains one of the strongest areas of cooperation between Ethiopia and the Netherlands.

She recalled the Dutch role in supporting Ethiopia’s floriculture industry through technical collaboration and early investments.

“We have witnessed success stories in Ethiopia where women, beyond their contribution as employees, are now leaders, innovators and owners of horticulture enterprises,” she said.