Ethiopian Ministry of Information says nation can fully ensure food security within short period

15 February, 2008

Addis Ababa, February 15, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - The Ministry of Information said that as long as Ethiopia is able to produce food crops in sufficient quantity, variety and quality sustainably, it can fully ensure food security within a short period of time.

In a weekly statement it issued on Friday, the Ministry said that the results the nation have achieved in the last five years are indicative of the fact that, led by the market-orientated direction presently in place, Ethiopia can actually manage to have surplus production for the export market.

Enhancing ethics, pursuing modern farming methods and utilizing resources properly and frugally have a pivotal role in increasing agricultural productivity.

Raising agricultural production and productivity, in addition to ensuring food security, has a significant share with regard to stabilizing the market.

Accordingly, supporting the efforts to ensure food security needs to be the responsibility of each and every citizen.

The statement said as a result of the implementation of the strategies of the government, meant to raise agricultural production and productivity, the lives of farmers and pastoralists are manifesting significant improvements.

The country's overall economy is also demonstrating a momentous improvement.

Farmers and pastoralists being the main actors in this economic growth, agricultural professionals and governmental and non-governmental organizations make an important contribution to the success of the sector.

The Ethiopian News Agency