The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) revealed that over 2.1 million hectares of land have been cultivated under contract farming to produce approximately 38 million quintals of crops during the 2024/25 harvest season.
Sultan Mohammed, Head of the Agricultural Product Contract Desk at the MoA, revealed that exportable crops such as sesame and soybean are harvested to boost foreign currency earnings. Meanwhile, barley, durum wheat, and other cereals are aimed at supplying local industries.
Sultan highlighted significant growth in participation since the contract farming proclamation was approved in June 2024. “Last year, over 16 million quintals were harvested from 772,857 hectares,” he said, describing the declaration as transformative for modernizing agriculture, boosting exports, and ensuring food sovereignty.
Dereje Abebe, Agricultural Investment and Product Marketing Lead at the MoA emphasized the new legal framework’s role in addressing productivity challenges. Oromia State is intensifying regional efforts, while international investors, including Chinese developers leasing 15,000 hectares in South Ethiopia, are showing growing interest.
Source: The Ethiopian Herald
