Prime Minister Highlights Ethiopia’s Agricultural Growth in Parliamentary Address

October 18, 2018 In a recent address to the House of People’s Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) underscored the remarkable progress made in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. Responding to questions on critical national issues, the Prime Minister highlighted significant achievements and ongoing developments within the industry.

He reported that Ethiopia’s agriculture grew by 7.3% in the past year, contributing 2.3% to the country’s overall economic growth. The Prime Minister emphasized the dramatic increase in crop production since the implementation of economic reforms, noting substantial gains across various staples.

Specifically, rice production skyrocketed from 1.5 million quintals in 2010 to 63 million quintals last year. Wheat output also saw a remarkable rise, surging from 47 million to over 280 million quintals  more than five times the previous volume. Coffee production experienced notable growth as well, increasing from 4.5 million to 11.5 million quintals.

Despite rising domestic consumption due to population growth, Ethiopia’s coffee exports generated $2.5 billion in foreign income, a significant increase from $700 million following the economic reforms.

Prime Minister Abiy credited Ethiopian farmers and agricultural extension workers for their vital contributions, praising their efforts for reaching unprecedented productivity levels and urging national appreciation. The address highlighted agriculture’s evolving role as a pillar of Ethiopia’s broader economic transformation, signaling a new era of growth and development in the sector