BERANO DISTRICT, SOMALI REGION — Ethiopia’s efforts to expand irrigated rice farming are set to benefit not just its own population but also those in neighboring countries, according to Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh. The initiative, centered in the Somali Region’s Shebele Zone, highlights a broader national strategy to reduce food imports and foster regional development through agricultural innovation.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the development of irrigated rice farms, which began in March 2024 in Berano district, has now reached 3,000 hectares. This expansion is part of a national program designed to showcase the potential of rice farming in Ethiopia. He praised the Somali Regional Administration for its leadership in this national initiative, noting the successful start of rice harvesting that began several months ago.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that this project is part of a larger effort, paralleling the successful development of irrigated wheat farms during the dry season and the Green Legacy Initiative. He noted that these projects have significantly enhanced Ethiopia’s capacity for wheat production, reducing the need for imports. The rice farming initiative along the Shebele River aims to replicate these successes, providing benefits not only for Ethiopia but also for rice-consuming populations in adjacent lowland areas across borders.
The initiative is seen as transformative, especially for the primarily pastoral population of the Somali Region, by introducing sustainable agricultural practices to an area traditionally reliant on livestock. The perennial flow of the Shebele River and the fertile soils of the region underpin these efforts, reflecting Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
Regional Administrator Mustefe Mohammed and Minister of Agriculture Girma Amante also weighed in, noting the potential for significant agricultural advances in the region. The Minister highlighted that despite Ethiopia’s vast potential for rice production, the country had been heavily reliant on imports, producing only 20% of its rice needs as of 2022. However, efforts in the past year have raised domestic production to cover 50% of national consumption. He projected that within two years, Ethiopia aims to fully meet its rice demand through local production, with plans to expand irrigated rice farming to other regions over time.