The agricultural sector has recorded high production and productivity, created jobs and increased export trade during the past three years, according to Agriculture Minister Girma Amente.
The mid-term implementation of the first phase of the 10-year perspective development plan and the second phase of the mid-term plan to be implemented from 2016-2018 were reviewed in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today.
Agriculture Minister Girma Amente said growth of the agricultural sector was planned to be 6 percent on average at the national level.
Following this, the agricultural sector has registered an annual growth of 5.5 percent, 6.1 percent and 6.3 percent in the last three years, he added.
The agricultural sector has therefore been able to achieve an average annual growth of 6 percent as per the perspective plan, the minister noted, adding there are promising conditions to continue the growth in the coming years.
According to him, the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have in particular played pivotal role in the achievement.
Horticulture accounted the lion’s share to the growth of the sector, Girma stated, crediting the growth to cluster farming.
The minister pointed out that 6.5 million hectares of land were cultivated in cluster farming in 2015 Ethiopian fiscal year, and this enabled the farmers to get technology, resources and professional support.
Moreover, he said that the introduction of duty-free agricultural technologies and extension of loans have enabled the farmers to use tractors and combine harvesters.
About 2.9 million hectares of land was, for instance, plowed with tractors in the 2015 Ethiopian fiscal year.
Following the above achievements, the nation has stopped importing of beer barley and wheat, and replaced over half of the imported rice.
On the other hand, production of fruits and vegetable has increased through the Green Legacy Initiative and avocado has been exported.
The “Yelemat Tirufat” campaign, especially meat, milk, honey and fish production, has also registered a big change when compared with the previous production rate.
The agricultural sector has in general recorded high production by increasing production and productivity, creating jobs, and increasing export over the last three years, he concluded.
Girma further elaborated that more attention will be given to the sector to make it continue to be the backbone of the country’s economy.
In particular, the ministry will work to increase production and productivity by improving the supply of fertilizers and seeds as well as improving acidic soil.
In addition, the minister said that activities have been underway to cultivate 17 million hectares of land nationwide in 2016 Ethiopian fiscal year.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency