Ethiopia working to improve small-scale farming practices, says Hailemariam

Addis Ababa, May 12, 2016 (FBC) – Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said that works are underway to improve small-scale farming practices in Ethiopia.
The Premier made the remark at Grow Africa Investment Forum 2016, held on the sideline of the 26th edition of World Economic Forum on Africa, kicked off yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda under the theme ‘Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation.’

Speaking at the forum which focused on African agriculture, PM Hailemariam said Africans should give prime attention to the agricultural sector. “Agriculture should be the main engine of Africa’s economy,” he said.

The government of Ethiopia is working as well as offering support for farmers to improve small-scale farming practices and modernize the agriculture sector, he told the participants.

According to the Premier, the efforts made by government to improve productivity of small-scale farmers and transfer them to a better step have paid off.

He also called on the private sector to offer financial, market and technological support for small-scale farming.

The Premier finally said the government of Ethiopia is ready to support investors who are interested to engage in the agricultural sector.

The Grow Africa partnership was founded jointly by the African Union Commission (AUC), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the World Economic Forum in 2011.

Grow Africa works to increase private sector investment in agriculture, and accelerate the execution and impact of investment commitments. The aim is to enable countries to realise the potential of the agriculture sector for economic growth and job creation, particularly among farmers, women and youth.

Grow Africa brokers collaboration between governments, international and domestic agriculture companies, and smallholder farmers in order to lower the risk and cost of investing in agriculture, and improve the speed of return to all stakeholders.