JIMMA – Ethiopia's transformative National Rice Development Strategy, initiated four years ago, has rapidly expanded rice cultivation across the nation, particularly benefiting the youth in the Jimma zone of the Oromia Region. This growth is part of a broader effort to elevate Ethiopia to the status of Africa's leading rice producer by leveraging vast tracts of arable land.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, this initiative has identified 30 million hectares suitable for rice cultivation, part of an aggressive push to enhance food security and agricultural productivity. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a recent session with the House of People's Representatives, outlined the ambitious plan to outpace other African nations in rice production within the next two years. This plan draws from Ethiopia's success in boosting wheat production and aims to replicate these gains with rice by expanding cultivation to regions like Jimma, Ilu Ababor, and Kelem Welega.
The strategy has been particularly transformative in Jimma Zone, where young farmers have embraced rice cultivation over traditional crops like corn, seeing substantial increases in yields and income. Local youth, including farmers like Kamil Abaraya, are achieving yields of 50 to 60 quintals per hectare with the support of agricultural experts. The enthusiasm among these young farmers is palpable, with many like Gali Abaraya and Ibsa Miftah witnessing better crop performance in their first season of rice cultivation compared to previous attempts with corn.
The shift to rice has been supported by significant institutional backing. Amin Sheikh Khalifa, Chief Administrator of Omo Nada District in Jimma, noted the adoption of a cluster-based production model that enhances efficiency. Additionally, Mohammed Taha Abafita, Head of the Jimma Zone Agriculture Office, highlighted the expansion of rice cultivation from a modest 2,000 hectares in the 2019/20 production year to plans for 326,000 hectares this year, with 80 percent already seeded.
Regionally, the Oromia Regional Agriculture Bureau reports that rice cultivation has grown from just 6,000 hectares three years ago to over 700,000 hectares in the 2022/23 cycle. The target for the current year is set at an ambitious 1.5 million hectares, with more than 1.28 million already under cultivation.
As Ethiopia continues to develop its agricultural sector, the rice fields of Jimma are becoming a symbol of progress, showcasing the power of innovative farming and the determination of its youth to reshape the future of the nation's agriculture.