Gondar, Amhara Region — In a significant agricultural development, over 45,000 hectares of land in the Central Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region have been cultivated with rice. This initiative is part of Ethiopia’s broader effort to enhance food self-sufficiency and boost economic gains through agricultural exports and import substitution.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the cultivation aligns with Ethiopia’s National Rice Development Strategy, which was launched four years ago. This strategy has earmarked 30 million hectares nationwide as suitable for rice farming, highlighting the government’s commitment to expanding agricultural output. The initiative in Central Gondar Zone aims to produce over 6 million quintals of rice, tapping into the districts of East Dembia, West Dembia, and Gondar Zuria for cultivation.
Nigussie Malede, Head of the Zonal Agriculture Department, reported to the Ethiopian News Agency that already more than 21,000 hectares have been seeded. Efforts are focused on enhancing rice productivity through cluster farming and the adoption of improved agricultural practices. Malede emphasized that the project is set to bolster local food security and provide substantial economic benefits to farmers by increasing the availability of rice for market sale.
Moreover, the Gondar Agricultural Research Center is contributing to the effort by supplying farmers with rice varieties suited for diverse environmental conditions, including waterlogged and arid areas. The Center’s Director General, Mintesnot Worku, noted that these varieties are designed to boost yields and have gained popularity among local farmers.
The Department is also addressing technical challenges, such as optimizing rice threshing machines to improve post-harvest processes. With these comprehensive measures in place, the Central Gondar Zone is on track to harvest an anticipated total of more than 6 million quintals of rice this season.