The Minister of Government Communication Service, Dr. Legesse Tulu, stated that efforts are underway to ensure the timely and efficient harvesting of the autumn harvest to prevent post-harvest losses, and to improve summer irrigation farming compared to previous years.
In a statement on current affairs today, Dr. Legesse Tulu said that focused efforts are being made to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food sovereignty.
The Minister noted that the autumn harvest is being collected without significant losses. He attributed this success to the concerted efforts of government officials at all levels, government employees, students, security forces, farmers, and pastoralists, along with the improved conditions created by harvest technologies. He highlighted that the autumn harvest is being effectively collected in most parts of the country.
He mentioned that by early January, 18.3 million hectares out of the 20.5 million hectares planted had been harvested, yielding over 420.2 million quintals of produce.
He further explained that the timely distribution of agricultural inputs, the implementation of agricultural cluster systems, improvements in technology usage, a favorable rainy season, and the concerted efforts of stakeholders at all levels significantly contributed to this outcome.
He also stated that 517,663 hectares of land have been planted for a second harvest in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, and Central Ethiopia regions.
He emphasized that significant efforts are being made at all levels to improve irrigation performance compared to previous years. Preparations, including land preparation, irrigation canal cleaning, and maintenance, are being carried out diligently.
He added that fertilizers and other necessary inputs for irrigation farming are reaching all areas. To achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production, efforts are underway to cultivate 4.27 million hectares of land in ten regions with high irrigation potential, aiming for a yield of 172.9 million quintals.
So far, 2.7 million hectares have been plowed traditionally, 735,606 hectares using tractors, and 3.1 million hectares have been planted.
This, combined with the harvest from the winter season, is believed to lay the foundation for Ethiopia to achieve its goal of ensuring food sovereignty.
He also mentioned that the construction of large irrigation dams is underway to further expand irrigation efforts.
The Minister stated that the initiatives launched nationwide for improved livestock productivity and urban agriculture are other focuses for the summer season. He added that efforts are concentrated on initiatives to completely eliminate poverty in the next two years, strategies to create household-level resilience, and building capacity for disaster prevention and self-reliance in responding to emergencies.