Ethiopia shares experience on efforts for food self-sufficiency

Addis Ababa, March 28, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia has participated in a two-day “High-Level Dialogue on Nutrition Financing” in Maseru hosted by King Letsie III of Lesotho, who is African Union Champion for Nutrition in collaboration with AU Commission, according to FDRE’s Ministry of Foreign affairs.

The event provided an opportunity to discuss ways for public private partnerships to mobilize necessary finances mostly from national resources to support projects and initiative that can transform the food system in Africa, it added.

In an intervention during the dialogue session, Nardos Ayalew, Representative of Ministry of foreign Affairs of Ethiopia noted, for countries like Ethiopia with a population of over 120 million and certain areas experiencing recurrent drought food security and nutrition are key agenda of the government.

She said, the GoE has accordingly allocated sufficient resources for a number of projects and initiatives addressing food self-sufficiency.

She added, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed actively champions the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Programme (CAADP) adding that it is also working closely with African Union and other partners and key stakeholders to realize continental objectives on agricultural development and food security.

Among others, the Representative highlighted “Yelemat Tirufat” (Bounty of the Basket) development campaigned championed by the Premiere to achieve nutritional opulence while increasing export earnings, ensuring food and nutrition security, and substitute imported products, Nardos has reaffirmed.

She also reaffirmed the continued commitment of Ethiopia to end stunting among children under below the age of two by 2030 under the rubric of “The Seqota Declaration.”