The Ministry of Agriculture announced that Ethiopia is redirecting its self-sufficiency agenda from wheat to rice, following domestic wheat production that replaced 17 million quintals of imports and saved the country over 700 million dollars.

Newly appointed Minister of Agriculture Addisu Arega said the agricultural sector grew 6.7% in 2024/25, exceeding the projected 6.5%. Gains were driven by winter and irrigated wheat initiatives under the “Yelemat Tirufat” programme, aimed at strengthening food security.

Agriculture now accounts for half of Ethiopia’s $8.2 billion in export earnings, with coffee contributing $2.65 billion from 465,000 tons supplied globally. The sector has also created employment opportunities for millions of young people in rural areas.

Around half of Ethiopia’s arable land remains undeveloped. The Ministry plans to focus on mechanization, land development, and the wider deployment of the Agricultural Commercialization Cluster (ACC) method. Rice development will focus on cultivation in the Amhara, Oromia, Gambella, Somali, and Afar regions, aiming to reduce the country’s reliance on imports.

The minister credited the year’s progress to coordinated efforts among sector leaders, experts, farmers, and stakeholders, urging continued collaboration to maintain momentum into 2025/26.