Ethiopia is rapidly becoming a continental leader in agricultural development, pioneering innovative modernization and food security strategies, according to experts at the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) 4th Biennial Review (BR) held Monday, April 21, 2025, in Addis Ababa.
The nation's steadfast commitment to CAADP principles, combined with ambitious national initiatives, has produced remarkable results, establishing a new standard for agricultural progress in Africa.
CAADP Focal Person and Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Zena Habtewold, emphasized Ethiopia's strategic alignment with CAADP and its seamless integration into national development plans.
This focused approach has driven success in crucial areas such as wheat production, the Green Legacy reforestation project, and the preservation of vital legume heritage, showcasing Ethiopia as a model for agricultural advancement throughout the continent.
Ethiopia’s accomplishments hold significant weight within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region, where member states regularly assess the African Agricultural Development Programme (AAP). Dr. Senayit Regassa, Coordinator of the IGAD Food System Program, stressed the vital role of regional cooperation and support for climate-resilient agriculture.
She highlighted IGAD's dedication to enhancing productivity, improving market access, strengthening agricultural policies, and building robust information management systems.
Technological advancements and modernization initiatives remain a key priority, particularly given the region's vulnerability to a range of challenges, both natural and man-made, including the growing threat of climate change.
While acknowledging the region's relatively small contribution to global climate change, Dr. Senait emphasized the disproportionate impact felt by IGAD nations.
She commended Ethiopia's Green Legacy Program as a powerful response to this pressing issue.
The large-scale reforestation initiative serves as an inspiring example of proactive environmental stewardship for other countries facing similar climate-related challenges.
The forum also underscored the crucial role of sustained agricultural investment, a sector in which Ethiopia is demonstrating strong leadership.
Ethiopia's comprehensive embrace of CAADP principles and processes has earned the nation widespread recognition as a champion of the program.
Forum participants advocated for the development of standardized indicators for CAADP member states to enable more effective benchmarking and evaluation of progress.
Endorsed in 2003 by the African Union (AU), CAADP is the leading program for agricultural development and food security across the continent. Its core objective is to leverage the transformative potential of agriculture to fuel economic growth, sustainable development, and self-reliance.
The 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation further solidified this vision, outlining ambitious targets for agricultural progress between 2015 and 2025.
According to the forum, Ethiopia's performance demonstrates the tangible impact of CAADP principles in driving progress toward these shared continental goals, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for other African nations pursuing agricultural transformation and enhanced food security.