ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced this evening that Ethiopians successfully planted 615.7 million seedlings as part of the dawn to dusk planting campaign today, exceeding the ambitious goal of 600 million. This national effort marks a significant achievement in Ethiopia’s environmental initiatives.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the participation spanned from children to the elderly, each contributing to the success of the campaign. “Children have planted their hope. Young people have demonstrated their resilience. The elderly have left a legacy,” he stated. The prime minister emphasized that the collective effort not only focused on combating climate change and soil degradation but also aimed at enhancing food security. He also highlighted that the planting was meticulously organized across 318.4 hectares of geospatially mapped locations, involving 29.1 million citizens. The success of the day, he remarked, was made possible by the solid planning, monitoring, and participation of various stakeholders, including leaders, professionals, and media institutions.