Ethiopia has launched the second phase of its Agricultural Commercialisation Clusters initiative, unveiling the Agricultural Commercialisation through Climate-Smart and Inclusive Innovations (ACCII) programme.

Agriculture Minister Adissu Arega described the initiative as a key milestone in Ethiopia’s long-term strategy to modernise agriculture and enhance rural livelihoods.

Agriculture remains central to the Ethiopian economy, accounting for nearly 80 percent of export earnings, meeting 95 percent of domestic food needs, and serving as the main source of income for most households. Smallholder farmers, however, continue to face challenges including low productivity, reliance on rain-fed farming, limited market access, insufficient finance and technologies, and growing climate-related pressures.

The first phase of the programme, implemented between 2019 and 2025, reached over 4.4 million farmers, with about 2.43 million organised into Farmer Production Clusters. Cluster woredas achieved yields 32 percent higher than the national average, while cluster members recorded yields 44 percent above the average. Grain productivity rose 86 percent, horticultural output increased six-fold, overall production grew 56 percent, and grain commercialisation nearly doubled from 28 percent to 58 percent.

Building on these results, ACCII aims to reach 6.5 million farmers and 300,000 internally displaced persons across nine regional states. The programme focuses on 18 strategic commodities across crop, livestock, and horticulture value chains, promotes climate-smart practices, strengthens value-chain engagement, encourages private-sector participation, and introduces digital and innovation-driven solutions.

The programme also supports the creation of Farmer Production and Agribusiness Companies and emphasises gender equality, youth participation, and social inclusion. Women are expected to play a leading role, with 95 percent projected participation in decision-making processes.

ACCII incorporates a Humanitarian-Development-Peace approach to restore livelihoods and improve self-reliance among displaced populations.