Over 17mln ha of land cultivated in the current growing season in Ethiopia: MoA

Addis Ababa, September 1, 2023 (FBC) – The Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia (MoA) stated that more than 17.3 million hectares of agricultural land has been covered with different types of crops in the 2023 (2015/16 Ethiopian year) Meher growing season, which is Ethiopia’s main farming season that extends from May to September..

Briefing the media regarding the 2015/16 E.C Meher and Belg cultivation as well as the irrigation farming, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Horticulture, Meles Mekonnen reminded that this year, unlike the preceding years, more than 17.3 million hectares of land has been cultivated.

Of the 17.3 million hectares of land covered with crops, more than 7.8 million hectares of land has been cultivated through cluster farming in the current growing season across the country, he said.

According to Melese, more than 2.69 hectares of land has been cultivated during the Belg season exceeding the planed 2.48 hectares, he pointed out noting that some 1.87 hectares of the cultivated crops have so far been harvested.

The State Minister noted Ethiopia has untapped potential for rice cultivation in Oromia, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regional states.

While traditionally less than 300,000 hectares of land were used for rice farming, mainly in the Fogera area, Ethiopia seeded over 990,000 hectares of rice this year, out of the 1.13 million hectare target.

According to the state minister, intensive efforts are underway to enhance the agriculture development of the country with a view to ensuring food self-sufficiency, boost export trade and import substitution as well as strengthen supply of industrial input.

The state Minister underscored the country’s promising agricultural productivity and potential.

While lauding these achievements, the minister emphasized that more can be done to maximize Ethiopia’s agricultural potential.

Overall, the state minister struck an optimistic tone regarding the future of Ethiopian agriculture. With ideal agro-ecological conditions and good rain the country is poised to become an agricultural success story, he said.