Ethiopia recently participated in the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture in Brasília, Brazil, where it showcased its transformative agricultural reforms and reiterated its commitment to regional and international collaboration in advancing agricultural development. The meeting, which brought together agriculture ministers and high-level officials from BRICS nations, provided an opportunity for Ethiopia to highlight the progress it has made in modernizing its agriculture sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Representing Ethiopia at the ministerial meeting was Ambassador Leulseged Tadese, who addressed the assembled delegates, offering a comprehensive overview of the country’s ambitious agricultural policies. The ambassador outlined several key initiatives that have been central to Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation, including the National Wheat Harvest campaign, the Green Legacy Initiative, and the Yelemat Tirufat nutrition program. These efforts, among others, reflect Ethiopia’s holistic approach to improving agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
One of the cornerstone initiatives of Ethiopia’s agricultural reform is the National Wheat Harvest campaign. This initiative aims to boost local wheat production and reduce the country’s dependency on wheat imports, which have been a significant burden on Ethiopia’s foreign exchange reserves. The campaign includes expanding modern farming techniques, improving seed varieties, and increasing access to inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation systems.
Another significant program is the Green Legacy Initiative, which focuses on large-scale reforestation and environmental restoration. Ethiopia has faced significant challenges with deforestation, which has exacerbated soil erosion and diminished land productivity. Through the Green Legacy Initiative, the government has committed to planting billions of trees across the country, aiming to reverse environmental degradation and increase the land’s ability to support agricultural activities.
Ethiopia has also emphasized the importance of nutrition through the Yelemat Tirufat program. This initiative focuses on improving the nutritional status of Ethiopians by promoting the cultivation and consumption of diverse, nutrient-rich crops. It addresses both malnutrition and the country’s reliance on a narrow range of staple crops, encouraging the adoption of more varied diets for better health outcomes.
In addition to these flagship programs, Ethiopia has also been actively pursuing cluster farming, land restoration, and the development of irrigation infrastructure. Cluster farming is designed to increase land productivity by organizing farmers into groups to share resources, knowledge, and equipment. The aim is to increase the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices while fostering community development.
Ambassador Leulseged noted that Ethiopia’s agricultural reforms reflect the country’s political will and strategic coordination, positioning it as a model for sustainable agricultural development across Africa. He stressed the importance of collaboration with international partners to further these goals, particularly in areas like technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and best practices in agriculture.
Ethiopia’s participation in the BRICS meeting also highlighted the untapped potential of the country’s agricultural sector. With vast arable land and favorable climatic conditions, Ethiopia offers significant investment opportunities for the BRICS business community. The ambassador encouraged foreign investors to explore these opportunities, particularly in areas such as irrigation infrastructure, agricultural technology, and value-added processing industries.
The ministerial meeting was preceded by a Senior Agricultural Officials’ Meeting from April 14 to 16, 2025, which set the stage for the high-level discussions at the BRICS gathering. The exchange of ideas and experiences at both meetings underscored the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing global agricultural challenges, such as food security, climate change, and sustainable land management. Ethiopia’s participation at the BRICS Ministerial Meeting demonstrated the country’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering regional partnerships that can drive economic growth and food security across the African continent.
