Ethiopia’s farmlands signal shift from aid dependence to self-sufficiency

ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia’s ongoing rural transformation is proving that the country can stand on its own feet, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said on Wednesday.

He was speaking after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to the East Shewa Zone in Oromia Regional State, where the Prime Minister and senior government officials assessed the wheat harvest and launched a program for irrigated wheat cultivation.

Temesgen noted that East Shewa, once dependent on food aid, now shows tangible progress in farming. “The current wheat, banana, and papaya cultivation in the zone shows promising results,” he said, adding that local farmers are steadily improving their production capacity.

The Deputy Prime Minister said wheat harvesting in the area now uses combine harvesters, and preparations for the summer wheat season are underway.

He pointed out that even with the region’s short and hot climate, farmers are making use of groundwater for irrigation, showing determination to shift from dependency to productivity. “The use of groundwater for irrigation demonstrates that farmers are transitioning from dependency to productivity,” he said.

A reflection of national goals

Temesgen described the changes in East Shewa as a practical example of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s message that Ethiopia must depend on its own human and natural resources rather than outside assistance. “This progress is a direct reflection of the Prime Minister’s call for Ethiopia to rely on its own capacity,” he stated.

He added that the introduction of banana and papaya cultivation, along with expanding vegetable and fruit farming, marks an important success for the region. Farmers, he said, are no longer limited to grain production but are diversifying their income sources.

Temesgen further explained that market linkages, which had been disrupted after production increased, are now being restored. This allows farmers to sell their produce locally instead of relying on middlemen. “The restoration of market linkages is helping farmers sell their products locally, which is vital for economic independence,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister concluded that developments in East Shewa illustrate Ethiopia’s broader move toward self-reliance and sustainable growth. “The changes we are seeing in East Shewa show that Ethiopia’s prosperity is inevitable,” he said. “Our agricultural sector is shifting from dependency to self-sufficiency.”

Recent government efforts, such as the expansion of irrigation programs and support for modern farming technologies, continue to drive similar results in other regions. Officials say these actions are strengthening food security, raising incomes, and creating a stronger foundation for rural transformation.

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