New irrigation projects set to boost Ethiopia’s commercial agriculture

ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has launched new irrigation projects led by Irrigation and Lowland Minister Abraham Belay (PhD), to expand commercial agriculture and support agro-industrial parks while creating employment for youth in the Amhara, Oromia, and Sidama regions.

Minister Belay, who leads the Productivity Enhancement Support for Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks and Youth Employment (PESAPYE) committee, spoke optimistically about the potential impact.

“These projects will shift agricultural activities toward a more commercial focus,” he stated, noting that collaboration with financial institutions has been instrumental in pushing the construction efforts forward.

Currently, three major irrigation sites—Taba, Belechit, and Gidabo—are under development and have been closely evaluated by Belay’s committee.

The Minister emphasized that timely completion of these projects would hinge on effective coordination among government departments and the private sector.

“We’re working closely to ensure these projects finish on time,” he affirmed, adding that this infrastructure will lay a foundation for sustainable growth in agriculture.

The projects promise more than just irrigation; they’re poised to be a turning point for Ethiopia’s agricultural economy.

By improving irrigation facilities, the government expects to boost productivity for the rapidly growing agro-processing sector, which is heavily reliant on consistent agricultural outputs.

Agriculture Minister Girma Amentie (PhD) underscored this point, saying, “Strengthening agriculture through sustainable irrigation solutions is essential to meeting the demand of Ethiopia’s expanding agro-industrial parks.”

One of the core objectives of the irrigation projects is to generate employment opportunities for the youth in rural areas.

Many young people will be engaged in both the construction and ongoing maintenance of these facilities, providing them with vital job skills and steady income. “These projects are not just about water,” Amentie explained, “they represent a critical step toward achieving commercial agricultural transformation.”

This initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s broader strategy to address high youth unemployment through the development of targeted sectors like agriculture.

Beyond job creation, the projects are expected to improve food security, as greater agricultural productivity can help stabilize food prices and reduce dependency on imported goods.

Ethiopia’s fresh produce sector, including fruits and vegetables, also stands to benefit from these irrigation projects. Fruit production, seen as a high-value export, has reached nearly 780,000 metric tons in recent years.

The domestic consumption of fresh fruits, however, remains low compared to other countries in the region, with an average of just seven kilograms per person annually.

With enhanced irrigation and production techniques, there’s potential for Ethiopia to increase exports and meet rising global demand for fresh produce.

The Ministry’s projections for 2024 suggest the export of fresh fruits could reach 22,000 metric tons, representing approximately three percent of total production.

While the export market remains small, increased productivity from irrigation investments could position Ethiopia as a competitive player in the fresh produce export market.

Despite the promising outlook, the agricultural sector faces challenges like infrastructure limitations, limited market access, and the impacts of climate change. However, the Ethiopian government has introduced initiatives to counter these obstacles.

Minister Belay indicated that investments in technology, improved farming practices, and better supply chain logistics are among the measures being taken. “We are addressing these barriers head-on to ensure the success of our agricultural programs,” he said, reflecting the government’s commitment to driving progress.

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