Ethiopia Moves from Wheat Recipient to Wheat Exporter Following Reforms

Ethiopia has become wheat exporter, shifting from being wheat recipient through its relentless efforts of wheat production., Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente said.

A chapter of history —where Ethiopia used to import 17 million quintals of wheat every year, earmarking more than 700 million USD to meet its citizens’ basic bread consumption, has been closed.

Following the reform process, wheat cultivation, Green Legacy Initiative and recently, ye Lemat Tirufat programs are among the initiatives that have registered successful results, according to the minister.

During an exclusive interview with ENA, minister Girma Amente said wheat cultivation has become a great success that has moved Ethiopia to a new height.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s determination and success in wheat development has transformed Ethiopia from being a wheat recipient to a foreign market supplier, the minister added.

Recall that Ethiopia, which is the birthplace of wheat diversity, was not able to achieve wheat self-sufficiency and imported wheat for centuries, adding that this chapter is now closed.

The minister described the determination Prime Minister Abiy demonstrated in wheat development as a turning point in the history of Ethiopia.

During the 11th Ordinary session of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, the premier responded to questions raised to him by members of the parliament on six month performance report on Tuesday, saying that wheat was produced more than planned during the dry and summer season.

The prime minister added that wheat production exceeded domestic consumption and it was for the first time that Ethiopia exported its products to the foreign market.

“We have produced more wheat than we thought. There is no wheat problem in Ethiopia. There is enough production. We have cultivated more than 1 million hectares this summer,” he noted.

The agriculture minister further stated that the success recorded in wheat cultivation in the past years of reforms demonstrated the collaboration, determination and commitment of the leadership as well as research institutes and producers.

He pointed out that when Ethiopia has won international recognition in wheat during the last years of reform, the role of farmers was crucial.

It was possible to export wheat production beyond domestic consumption to the foreign market because of the farmers who had never seen wheat beyond consumption and aid recipient, were able to work hard.

Since then we have witnessed that the farmers have the desire and motivation to produce more and use the new technologies provided by the government, Girma said.

Photo: ENA

Content: SyndiGate Media Inc.