Ethiopia’s maize production surges with adoption of improved technologies, practices

ETHIOPIA – The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) has revealed that the adoption of improved technologies and farming practices has significantly increased maize productivity in Ethiopia.

This announcement was made during the 4th Decadal Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, currently being held in Addis Ababa under the themed, “Harnessing Maize Genetics and Management Practices to Revitalize the Ethiopian Food System in the Face of Climate Change.”

Opening the workshop, Melese Mekonnen, State Minister of Agriculture highlighted Ethiopia’s significant economic reforms over the past six years, as agriculture is one of the major priority sectors of the reform.He noted that the homegrown economic reform prioritizes a multi-sectoral approach, focusing on agriculture, mining, tourism, industry, and ICT as the five critical pillars.

Additionally, Minister Melese commended the recent transformation of wheat production in Ethiopia, attributing this success to the collaboration of stakeholders, including experts, farmers, and the government’s dedicated leadership.

He stressed the need for a continued commitment from the government, institutions, and experts to enhance maize productivity further.

 “By maintaining this level of dedication and integrating efforts across sectors, Ethiopia can achieve even greater progress in the maize sector,” he emphasized.

Maize plays a vital role in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, contributing significantly to food security, livelihoods, and economic development. It also supports many smallholder farmers across diverse agro-ecological zones in the country.

Recent reports from the Central Statistical Service of Ethiopia revealed that maize is cultivated by more than ten million households on approximately 2.53 million hectares of land. As a key food and nutritional security crop in Ethiopia and across sub-Saharan Africa, maize remains central to the region’s agricultural landscape.

Feto Esimo, Director General of EIAR, underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to agricultural transformation, highlighting the significant strides made in maize production.

He acknowledged the efforts of researchers, seed producers, and extension services in boosting maize production in the country.

“Enhancing the capacity and modernization of our research system will be crucial to overcoming challenges and maximizing the sector’s potential,” he noted,

Mandefro Nigussie, Director General of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute, affirmed the critical role of maize in the nation’s agricultural transformation.

He commended Ethiopia’s progress toward self-sufficiency in maize production and outlined future plans to position Ethiopia as an exporter of maize to international markets.

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