Ethiopia entering a new era of revival marked by significant advancements in various economic sectors – PM

Addis Ababa, December 10, 2024 (FMC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that Ethiopia is entering a new era of revival, marked by significant advancements in various economic sectors.

The premier made this comment after his visit to West Guji Zone of Oromia regional state where he toured coffee plantation farm by Kerchanshe Trading in Gelana Woreda on Monday. Abiy also attended the inauguration of YMG Gold Mining and toured activities of Midroc Gold Mining around Shakiso town in West Guji zone.

Situated on 750 hectares of previously uncultivated land, Kerchanshe Trading’s coffee farm is cultivating yields an impressive 60 quintals of coffee per hectare using mechanized harvesting.

Sharing his thoughts on the coffee farm, Premier Abiy claimed that he was thrilled with the activities being undertaken by Kerchanshe Trading and hailed it as “exemplar” in developing the sector.

Reminding that the highest average of coffee production in Ethiopia has been 10 quintals per hectare, the premier indicated that the irrigated coffee farm he visited has the capacity to produce 60 quintals per hectare.

Over 45,000 quintals of coffee is anticipated to be harvested from the 750 hectares of coffee farm, PM Abiy indicated, adding that it has the potential to be harvested twice a year. This boosts the country’s aspirations to become one of the biggest coffee producers and exporters in the world.

“One notable achievement in Ethiopia’s economic growth is in coffee production, where the implementation of modern irrigation technologies and mechanized harvesting has enabled productivity to reach 60 quintals per hectare.”

With due emphasis on the sector’s pivotal role for the country’s foreign exchange earnings, Abiy indicated that billions of coffee and other tree seedlings have been planted in the past few years under the green legacy initiative.

Emphasizing Ethiopia’s position as the world’s third-largest coffee producer (behind Brazil and Vietnam), the prime minister said the East African country is projected to earn two billion U.S. dollars from coffee exports this fiscal year.

Recalling that his country is the origin of coffee and has immense potential of productivity across many areas of the country, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to harness the potential to redouble the current export capacity.

It is high time Ethiopians take these abundant opportunities and turn them into tangible results, Abiy underlined, while reminding the significant of innovative efforts to advance the country’s economy. He also stressed that stressed that Kerchanshe Trading’s remarkable achievement should be emulated in other areas of the country to advance the sector.

Comparing the growth of coffee production from 10 hectares per hectare to 60 quintals per hectare, Prime Minister Abiy reiterated that Kerchanshe Trading’s standout achievement is one of the evidences that Ethiopia is on the path of revival in various spheres.

In his remarks regarding the growth of the gold mining industry, Abiy indicated that this sector stands out as a significant driver of the country’s growth, presenting immense potential for both local and international investment.

The Shakiso and broader Guji regions, rich in gold deposits, are prime locations for mining activities. A notable recent development is the inauguration of YMG Gold Mining, which brings promising opportunities for the local community in Shakiso. Employing advanced mining technology that operates entirely on gravity, YMG’s processes are both innovative and environmentally friendly, as they avoid the use of harmful chemicals, the Prime Minister underscored.

During the visit to the coffee farm, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and First Lady Zinash Tayachew planted coffee seedlings, the Office of the Prime Minister disclosed.