Ethiopia declares end to wheat import dependency

Ethiopia has reached a major national milestone, effectively transitioning from a country reliant on international food aid to one achieving full self-sufficiency in wheat production. According to government officials, this success is the result of a focused national policy supporting agriculture, including prioritizing irrigation systems and modern farming technologies.

Dr. Tadele Mamo, Director of Agricultural Economics Research at the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute, emphasized the scale of the transformation. In the past, wheat shortages were so severe that supplies for local factories had to be allocated by quota. “The fact that wheat supply is no longer a problem represents a major achievement,” he said, noting that sustained efforts have freed Ethiopia from the cycle of dependency on wheat aid.

Key factors behind this progress include the expansion of irrigated farming, use of improved seed varieties, and modern agricultural techniques, which have not only closed the import gap but also positioned Ethiopia as a potential wheat exporter. National programs, such as the “Irrigated Wheat Initiative” and “Ye Lemat Turufat” (Bounty of the Basket), aim to increase production of high-value, protein-rich foods including dairy, eggs, poultry, and honey, boosting household and national nutrition.

Analysts highlight that Ethiopia has vast agricultural potential: of the country’s 112 million hectares, around 38 million are highly suitable for cultivation. This could allow production of over 100 million metric tons of crops annually during the main Meher season alone, without accounting for additional irrigation. Increasing output, supported by modern technologies, contributes to Ethiopia’s economic growth and lays the foundation for long-term food sovereignty, positioning the country as a regional model for self-sufficiency and a growing player in global agriculture.

Tags: wheat, Ethiopia