Policy LINK Hosts Consultative Forum with Crop Production and Exporters Multisectoral Association in Ethiopia

Dr. Sofia Kassa, State Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In a significant move aimed at transforming Ethiopia's commercial farming sector, Policy LINK's Champions for Food Security (C4FS) Activity, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Ethiopian Crop Producers and Exporters Multi-Sectoral Association (ECPEMA), held a consultative forum aimed at strengthening the association's role in the commercial farm sector. The forum also deliberated on prevailing challenges that the sector is facing and agreed on recommendations to address them. The event, which took place on June 28, 2024, drew over 120 representatives from state and non-state policy sectors.

Established in 2023, ECPEMA is a consortium of regional associations representing commercial farm owners across Ethiopia. Registered with the Authority for Civil Society Organization (ACSO), the association's mission is to advocate for and support its members engaged in the production and export of crop products to international markets.

More than 120 people attended the forum. 

In her keynote address, H.E Dr. Sophia Kassa, State Minister of the MoA, emphasized the Ministry's commitment to operationalizing the recently approved agricultural development policy. She underlined that this policy aims to create opportunities for private sector developers to significantly enhance their operational involvement in the sector.

Dr. Zemen Haddis, Deputy Director of Economic Growth and Resilience Office, USAID Ethiopia, also underscored USAID's extensive efforts in supporting the transformation of Ethiopian agriculture, facilitating market connectivity, and strengthening the private sector.

As per the MoA presentation, the total number of investors is 5,753, with domestic investors making up 98.6% (5,674) and foreign investors accounting for 1.4% (79). The total area of investments is 2,120,750 hectares, with domestic investors holding 77% (1,626,086 hectares) and foreign investors holding 23% (494,664 hectares).

During the forum, Mr. Melkamu Gelaye of ECPEMA presented data, indicating that only 44 percent of the over two million hectares of land allocated to 5,753 agricultural investors is currently cultivated. He stressed the need to adopt new technologies and modernize systems to meet global market standards and improve effectiveness.

Discussions at the forum also addressed critical issues such as access to loans for investors, security concerns in some areas, and shortages in agricultural inputs, including chemicals, fertilizers, high-quality seeds, and machinery. Participants also called for improved collaboration between the MoA and the Ministry of Trade to better integrate the market chain and support investors.

In response, Dr. Sofia assured attendees that the Ministry is dedicated to providing investors with up-to-date information on modern farming equipment and methods. She also proposed holding similar forums at regional levels to further strengthen the association's capacities. “For our country to be a giver, not just a receiver, all private sector developers engaged in agricultural investments have to enhance their efforts to boost productivity for the 2017 Ethiopian calendar production year,” which corresponds with the year 2024/2025, Dr. Sofia urged.

C4FS will continue to work in partnership with the MoA as well as the commercial farms across the country represented by the ECPEMA and other similar associations through facilitating regular public-private dialogues to address emerging challenges and enhance the efficiency of the commercial farm sector. 

Read more stories from Policy LINK’s Ethiopia team here.