ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia has set an ambitious goal to cultivate over 20 million hectares during the current Meher farming season, with nearly 7 million hectares already seeded, the Ministry of Agriculture announced. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost agricultural output and ensure food security in the region.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, who spoke to ENA, out of the 20.4 million hectares targeted for this season, 15.7 million hectares have been cultivated using both traditional and modern agricultural methods. He detailed that 4.4 million hectares of this land was cultivated through cluster farming, a strategy expected to increase efficiency and yield.

Kebede reported that the crops already sown cover a diverse range including teff, maize, sorghum, wheat, and barley, with a projected harvest of 616 million quintals. He emphasized the government's concerted efforts in distributing essential agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides and advancing mechanization to enhance productivity. This year, approximately 15 million quintals of fertilizers have been strategically distributed across the country to address last year's challenges and improve this season's output.

Furthermore, Kebede highlighted the role of both private and public seed multiplier institutions in providing seeds, with new directives issued to mitigate improved seed shortages in some regions. He also noted significant achievements in wheat production, where 107 million quintals were produced through dry season irrigation schemes, showcasing the potential of enhanced agricultural practices.