Addis Ababa: Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs) Abraham Belay emphasized expansion of irrigation and exploiting the lowland areas of potential that has been put as priority in Ethiopia’s agricultural development.
Currently, Ethiopia has embarked on a transformative journey to secure the country’s food sovereignty and achieve self-sufficiency.
According to data from the Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, Ethiopia’s potential for optimizing irrigation remains largely untapped, with less than 10 percent of arable land currently benefiting from such systems.
As part of the government’s endeavors to free Ethiopia from aid dependency, it has been reinforcing numerous activities on irrigation development beyond the rainy season.
For instance, following the ongoing far-reaching reform programs, the due attention has been given to the cultivation of summer irrigated wheat.
This ambitious project has now resulted in transforming Ethiopia from a wheat importer to a self-sufficient producer and exporter,
it was pointed out.
Recall that a 100-day performance review of this concluding Ethiopian Fiscal Year was conducted in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Lowland areas development activity which is recently considered as one of the top government’s priorities was thoroughly reviewed during the performance evaluation meeting.
Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs), Abraham Belay remarked at the conclusion of the 100-day evaluation meeting, he said, adding that irrigation development of the lowland spheres is the most important, since it is among the major focusing areas that have been given in agricultural development plan following the country’s reform.
This has been part of the nation’s efforts to put an end to aid dependency in Ethiopia by developing potential natural resources, the minister elaborated.
To this effect, Abraham mentioned that irrigation projects that would benefit the society are being carried out in various lowland areas and the projects are instrumental to revolutionize t
he country’s agricultural landscape.
He further underlined that the completion of those irrigation projects on time is also a primary next focus.
The minister hoped that the irrigation projects will bring about more potential in increasing the production and productivity of the lowland areas.
Considering Ethiopia’s lowlands irrigation development as one of top priorities, the East African nation is working hard to unlock the productivity of lowlands that would significantly contribute to its national food security and economic resilience, it was indicated.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency