Ireland Focused on Agriculture in Collaborating with Ethiopia: Deputy Head of Mission Ryan

Addis Ababa, March 19, 2026 (ENA) — Ireland is working in partnership with Ethiopia in various areas, with particular focus on agriculture, Ireland's Deputy Head of Mission Fergal Ryan said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Deputy Head of Mission in Ethiopia stated that Ireland is very committed to food security and nutrition, although it has been also working in gender equality, women's empowerment, protection of women's rights, among others.

Accordingly, agriculture is definitely a key focus area, he added.

''We are looking at ways to link up Ethiopian universities with Irish universities, for example, in the field of agriculture and climate smart agriculture. We will also support institutional linkages between Irish agricultural institutions and those in Ethiopia,'' the Irish Deputy Head of Mission stated.

Ireland has a lot of big investment in agricultural research, in getting the best crop varieties and adapting them to different environments and so on, he noted.

Therefore, it has been working with Ethiopia in conducting researches to adopt better crop seeds.

For instance, he mentioned that the Irish Potato Research and Development Association has 

been conducting research in partnership with the Ethiopian Institute Agricultural Research by extending expertise and finance to adopt high productive species.

Ireland obviously is very committed to food security and to nutrition, and "we see the potato as one of the key crops in the chain, given our history and the importance of the potato food in Ireland."

According to Ryan, Ethiopia's level of ambition to develop agriculture is absolutely incredible; and it is a praiseworthy dedication of the government, and farmers to grow the agricultural sector. 

''We have invested a lot ourselves in developing our agriculture sector, and it has been one of the key elements for us becoming a more affluent and self-reliant country" that went from being quite a poor country suffering famine when potatoes had a problem a long time ago.''

Therefore, Ethiopia with its dedication on agriculture development would ensure its food sovereignly, the Deputy Head of Mission concluded.