In a strategic move to bolster Ethiopia’s agricultural economy, the Ministry of Agriculture has officially launched Ethiopia’s National Horticulture Strategy and the Enset (False Banana) Development Flagship Program at a high-profile event held at Skylight. The plan sets ambitious targets aimed at positioning horticulture as a leading contributor to foreign exchange earnings and employment.

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Girma Amante outlined the government’s vision to increase horticultural export revenues to $734 million this fiscal year, a significant jump from last year’s $565 million. The sector’s contribution to agricultural GDP is expected to nearly triple, rising from 4.5% to 12% by 2027/28.

“Horticulture is not just about crops—it is a critical engine for job creation, agro-industrial raw materials, and foreign currency generation,” Dr. Girma told attendees. He emphasized that the sector now plays a vital role in reinforcing Ethiopia’s food system resilience amid global uncertainties.

The new strategy focuses on export diversification, enhanced logistics infrastructure, and stronger agro-processing linkages, aiming to improve Ethiopia’s competitive edge internationally. The shift to a floating exchange rate a year ago has improved pricing competitiveness, making Ethiopian produce more attractive on global markets.

Data from the first eight months of the current fiscal year show exports earning $366 million, led by floriculture. Nearly 46,000 tons of flowers were shipped abroad in five months, generating $186 million alone. Fruit and vegetable exports also rose, with 121,000 tons earning $30 million—a 6.5% increase over last year. Somalia, Djibouti, and the Netherlands remain key markets.

However, challenges persist. Despite over 15 million hectares of suitable farmland, land access remains a bottleneck. The sector also grapples with shortages of skilled workers, inadequate infrastructure, limited technology adoption, and fragmented market integration.

To tackle these issues, the government is prioritizing investments in cold chain logistics, promoting high-value crops, and fostering regional market integration through initiatives like the COMESA-EAC Horticulture Accelerator. At the same time, the Enset Development Flagship Program aims to scale up production of Ethiopia’s native, drought-resistant enset crop as a sustainable food security and commercial farming solution.