Addis Ababa, July 19, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is shifting its focus this year to prioritize fruit cultivation and the planting of indigenous trees, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh remarked today.
The goal is to maximize the direct benefits of citizens from the national Green Legacy Initiative launched five years ago.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed joined Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen and the staff of the Prime Minister Office in planting indigenous saplings at the Chaka Project, a key component of the initiative aimed at replacing eucalyptus forests with native plant species.
On the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the significant increase in Ethiopia’s forest cover since the program’s inception.
He revealed that the government plans to plant 7.5 billion saplings this year and is already well underway.
“This year, we are emphasizing fruit trees and indigenous plants to ensure that our citizens directly benefit from the Green Legacy Initiative,” the deputy prime minister said.
Beyond environmental protection, this program will boost agricultural productivity, enhance tourism, and improve soil and water conservation, he added.
Temesgen highlighted that the initiative will create favorable conditions for the successful implementation of the country’s agricultural development initiatives including wheat cultivation.
By replacing water-intensive eucalyptus trees with indigenous species, the government aims to optimize water resources and combat the effects of climate change, he stated.