Arba minch: The Bounty of Basket Initiative (Yelemat Tirufat) has tripled fish productivity in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture revealed. Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Bounty of Basket initiative was officially announced in October 2023 in Arba Minch city to ensure food sovereignty primarily at the household level.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the initiative has registered tangible yields and productivity in livestock and fish resources as well as vegetables and fruits, enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists in the country. Fasil Dawit, Fish Development Desk Head at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the initiative has created a favorable environment for fishery development and productivity.
In this regard, Fasil mentioned that the development activities being undertaken to enhance fishery have tripled the productivity of fish. He also highlighted that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is producing up to 14,000 kilograms of fish per day, with high-va
lue and productive fish species such as Nile perch and Nile tilapia being produced from the dam.
Fasil further explained that the Bounty of Basket Initiative has been successful in significantly contributing to fish productivity, increasing the production of fish to more than 255,000 tons. Citizens are actively engaged in fish farming by transforming their backyards into resources, similar to vegetables, to ensure their food security.
He added that Ethiopia’s remarkable success in fish farming and productivity can serve as an example for other African countries.