Food Sovereignty Issue of Dignity, Stability and Economic Independence, Says Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega

Addis Ababa, November 20, 2025 (ENA) -- Africa must have the capacity to feed its people with its own resources, innovation and determination as the issue of food sovereignty is the issue of dignity, stability and economic independence, Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega said.

Opening the International Conference on Ensuring Food Sovereignty in African countries organized by Russian embassy in Addis Ababa today, the Minister noted that ensuring food sovereignty is one of the most defining priorities of the continent.

“Ensuring inclusive and sustainable food sovereignty for Africa is not merely a matter of agricultural productivity. It is an issue of dignity, stability, and economic independence,” he said.

Africa must have the capacity to feed its people with its own resources, its own innovation and its own determination, Addisu stated, adding that Ethiopia has placed agricultural transformation at the center of its national development agenda.

 

“Our focus is clear, reduce import dependency, harness our land and water resources more effectively, modernize our production system and build a food system that is productive, competitive and sustainable.”

Through irrigation expansion, scaling up mechanization, and strengthening commercialization through cluster based farming, Ethiopia is shaping a new era in its agriculture sector, he further elaborated.

“Part of our most notable achievement has been our irrigated wheat initiative, which has transformed Ethiopia’s position from net importer to a nation that fully meets its domestic demand and is now moving toward becoming net exporter.”

Furthermore, this shift is achieved through determination, coordination, and innovation which demonstrates what is possible when vision is aligned with action, the Minister pointed out.

He also said the long-standing partnership with the Russia Federation reflects the shared understanding that sustainable development requires long-term investment and strategic alignment.

Russia's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin noted that the issue of feeding the world's growing population has remained one of the greatest challenges these days.

 

According to him, this problem is particularly acute in African countries, where the population has already reached 1.5 billion.

In this regard, Russia remains a reliable partner for African countries, including Ethiopia, particularly in the agricultural sector.

The Ambassador underscored that the "cooperation with Ethiopia spans over a century and is built on trust, mutual respect, and a responsible approach to fulfilling obligations".

For Russia, Africa is not a field for geopolitical confrontation, but a space for equal interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation, a platform for exchanging ideas, implementing innovative projects, and addressing global challenges.

Ambassador Terekhin stated that the holding of the conference in Addis Ababa is especially symbolic; adding that this rapidly developing capital of the continent's second-most populous country plays a vital role as a significant regional hub, home to numerous international organizations working to address key global challenges.

Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the African Union, Bruce Biber urged Russia, the African Union, its member states and major food actors and partners, to invest in efforts that strengthen the resilience of populations.

Food shortages and risks of famine cannot be addressed solely through short-term emergency relief, Biber noted, emphasizing that efforts to invest in long-term action will enhance resilience to food crises and conflict affected areas.