Ethiopia leads Africa in wheat output, Agriculture State Minister says
The country’s focus on irrigated wheat and farm support has pushed output to the top spot on the continent.
ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has become Africa’s top wheat producer, with officials linking the growth to strong policy support and wider use of irrigation.
Agriculture State Minister Professor Eyasu Elias shared the update during a meeting in Addis Ababa to mark 20 years of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
He said the country has also kept its place as the largest coffee producer and exporter on the continent, but stressed that wheat has seen major gains in recent years.
He said the government has backed farmers through clear policies and steady funding, with a strong focus since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office. The push for irrigated wheat farming has helped the country raise output and reduce its need for imports.
“The results are visible,” Eyasu said, noting that Ethiopia now leads in wheat production across Africa. He added that climate friendly irrigation systems have played a key role in this progress.
The wheat drive links closely with the goals of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, which supports better seeds, higher yields, stronger market links, and more stable farm systems. Eyasu said the group has helped improve value chains for wheat, oilseeds, rice, and sorghum, while also building policy and institutional strength.
AGRA Board Chairman Hailemariam Dessalegn said the group started with a clear belief that Africa’s growth depends on its farmers and food systems. “This remains as relevant today as it was then as agriculture serves as the backbone of most African economies, and the continent’s prosperity depends on the success of its farmers,” he said.
He pointed to Ethiopia as a strong example, noting that agriculture makes up more than 30 percent of its gross domestic product, employs most of the population, and drives export earnings.
AGRA President Alice Ruhweza said the group continues to work with governments, private firms, and other partners to support smallholder farmers and local agribusinesses. “We must continue to strengthen the systems that enable agriculture to deliver from policy, institutions, research, innovation, to markets that all function effectively,” she said.
The focus on wheat comes at a time when many African countries seek to cut grain imports and build local supply, a move that has direct impact on the milling sector. Ethiopia’s gains show how policy, irrigation, and support systems can raise output and improve food supply across the region.
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