Ethiopia, COMESA sign MOU to cooperate in horticulture products

Addis Ababa, August 13, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding today in the presence of stakeholders to cooperate with the East and Southern African Market Coordinating Agency (COMESA) in avocado, red onion and potato products.

The MOU signing event was held at a forum organized by COMESA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association to recommend and approve a roadmap to solve the value chain problems of horticulture products in Ethiopia, such as avocado, red onion and potato, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture stated.

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Sector State Minister Adviser, Professor Ali Mohamed explained Ethiopia’s potential for horticulture production and expressed his gratitude to COMESA’s commitment to work with Ethiopia in horticulture production and improving the value chain.

Abdela Negash, Chief Executive Officer of Horticulture Development, said on his part that the signing of the MOU allows Ethiopia to work together with COMESA to strengthen the relationship between the actors involved in the sector from production up to marketing and to ensure mutual benefit by creating regional cooperation so as to strengthen foreign market linkages.

The CEO added that the agreement will solve the obstacles in the value chain of avocado, red onion and potato products in the regions, starting from seed and export the products including to earn foreign currency.

For his part, COMESA Executive Director John Mukuka mentioned that the institution focuses on adding value to horticulture products and marketing.

He expressed his desire to work with Ethiopia in the sector.