Ethiopia's Agricultural Modernization Boosts Output and Food Sovereignty

Ethiopia's agricultural modernization is boosting production and advancing food sovereignty, State Minister of Agriculture Sophia Kassa said at a consultative forum assessing the 2025/26 plan and setting 2026/27 priorities. Kassa cited higher farm productivity in the 2024/25 harvest, with 20 million quintals of chemical fertilizer distributed to smallholders. Dry-season irrigated wheat expanded, and the "Bounty of the Basket" initiative increased domestic milk and egg output. Agricultural exports earned 4.55 billion USD, led by coffee at 3.1 billion USD. Watershed work under the Green Legacy Initiative raised forest cover to 23.6 percent. Kassa urged streamlined input systems and modern technology adoption for future gains.