Ethiopia’s ambitious National Rice Development Strategy, launched four years ago, has identified 30 million hectares of land suitable for rice cultivation across the nation. This initiative is part of a broader vision to revolutionize the country’s agricultural sector and boost food security.
In a recent address to the House of People’s Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unveiled an audacious plan to position Ethiopia as Africa’s leading rice producer within the next two years.
Drawing parallels with the country’s success in wheat production, Abiy emphasized the untapped potential in rice cultivation and outlined efforts to expand production across various regions in Ethiopia.
The Oromia Region has embraced this vision wholeheartedly. Since 2020, a comprehensive rice development initiative has taken root in three of its western zones: Jimma, Ilu Ababor, and Kelem Welega.
These areas, blessed with expansive wetlands, have become the epicenter of a rice revolution that is not only increasing crop yi
elds but also generating additional income and creating valuable job opportunities for local communities.
In Jimma Zone, the transformation is particularly evident as several farmers and investors are currently engaged in the development of rice.
Young farmers like Kamil Abaraya are at the forefront of this agricultural renaissance. With guidance from agricultural experts, Kamil and his peers are working to achieve impressive yields of 50 to 60 quintals of rice per hectare.
Buoyed by their success, these enterprising youth are now setting their sights on expanding their rice cultivation to larger tracts of land.
The shift from traditional corn cultivation to rice has instilled a new sense of optimism among the young farmers.
Gali Abaraya and Ibsa Miftah, two such farmers, expressed their excitement: “Agricultural experts showed us that our land is ideal for rice. It’s our first season, but we’re already seeing better results than we ever did with corn. We’ve set ambitious goals, and we’re determined to s
ucceed.”
This grassroots enthusiasm is matched by institutional support. Amin Sheikh Khalifa, Chief Administrator of Omo Nada District in Jimma Zone, noted that after two years of successful trials, farmers are now independently planting rice seeds. The district has also transitioned to a more efficient cluster-based production model.
Mohammed Taha Abafita, Head of the Jimma Zone Agriculture Office, provided a broader perspective on the region’s progress. What began as a modest 2,000-hectare project in the 2019/20 production year has exploded into a zone-wide initiative. This year alone, plans are underway to cultivate rice on 326,000 hectares, with 80 percent of the area already seeded.
The success story extends beyond Jimma.According to the Oromia Regional Agriculture Bureau, the rice development initiative has seen exponential growth. From a mere 6,000 hectares three years ago, rice cultivation in the Oromia Region expanded to over 700,000 hectares in 2022/23. This year’s target is even more ambitious:
1.5 million hectares, with over 1.28 million hectares already under cultivation.
As Ethiopia continues to harness its agricultural potential, the rice fields of Jimma stand as a testament to the transformative power of innovative farming practices and the indomitable spirit of its youth. This green revolution is not just changing the landscape; it’s reshaping the future of Ethiopia’s agriculture and the lives of its people.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
