Some 3.1 million hectares of land covered with irrigated wheat – GCS

Addis Ababa, January 17, 2025 (FMC) – In this year’s summer irrigated wheat cultivation, 3.1 million hectares of land has been covered with seeds, according to the Minister of Government Communication Service, Legese Tulu (PhD).

In his media briefing held this morning, the minister expounded on current national issues with a particular focus on initiatives such as irrigated wheat, peace and security, and the implementation of macroeconomic reform and its subsequent results.

Mr. Legese said that efforts are being made to mitigate post-harvest losses by collecting harvest crops properly in dry months in the country and strengthening irrigation activities.

Some 420.2 million quintals of crop has been harvested until the beginning of this month, the minister said, citing recent data from the agriculture ministry on this fiscal year’s meher growing season results.

He stated that 10.6 million of the 12.17 million hectares of land covered by the main crops such as corn, teff, wheat, rice and soybeans have been harvested, and 289 million quintals have been obtained.

According to him, access to seasonal agricultural inputs, cluster farming and integrated agriculture played a vital role for this outcome.

Mentioning the due emphasis placed on irrigated agricultural development by the Ethiopian government, the minister said his country is eying to cultivate 4.27 million hectares of land through irrigated wheat cultivation with an anticipated outcome of 172.9 million quintals of wheat crops.

He said that more than 3.4 million hectares of land has been cultivated so far this dry season, of which 3.1 million hectares have been covered with wheat seeds.

The minister also stated that irrigated agricultural development initiative is laying a significant foundation for Ethiopia to achieve its goal of ensuring food sovereignty.

Large dams, electric roads, and tourism infrastructure are being built to expand irrigation development in the dry Ethiopian months, Legese said.

The minister underscored that integrated watershed development, “Bounty of the Basket” initiative, and urban agriculture are being widely implemented in the traditional dry months in the country.