Ethiopia: Agricultural Modernization Drives Gains in Output, Food Sovereignty - State Minister

What the report says

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture says modernization efforts are improving farm output and productivity while supporting the government’s broader goal of food sovereignty. State Minister Sophia Kassa made the remarks at a consultative forum in Addis Ababa that reviewed the 2025/26 fiscal year plan and helped set priorities for 2026/27. The meeting brought together regional agriculture bureau heads, sector leaders and other stakeholders to assess progress and identify implementation gaps.

According to the Ethiopian News Agency report distributed by AllAfrica, Sophia pointed to several recent gains. She said 20 million quintals of chemical fertilizer were delivered directly to smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists, and that dry-season irrigated wheat production has become a more established practice. She also cited improvements under the “Bounty of the Basket” initiative, which has boosted domestic milk and egg production.

The state minister said watershed management linked to the Green Legacy Initiative has expanded forest cover to 23.6 percent and created jobs for young people and women. She added that agricultural exports generated $4.55 billion in foreign exchange during the completed fiscal year, with coffee contributing $3.1 billion. In broader context, Ethiopia has been promoting agricultural input access, irrigation and tree-planting programs as part of its drive to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports.