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23 March 2007
Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Addisu Legesse said Wednesday the government is committed to developing the horticulture sector.
"This is aimed at promoting diversity in the countries export product mix," said Addisu at an opening ceremony of Hortiflora Ethiopia 2007," an international flower exhibition held in the capital Addis Ababa.
"No doubt this is also consistent with our effort and program at reducing poverty," said Addisu, who is also minister of agriculture and rural development.
He said his government will do the maximum possible to encourage the development of the sector.
"I believe this initiative ensures the setting up of a clear standard of good agricultural practice whose faithful implementation would make flower farms of our country socially and environmentally responsible," said Addisu.
Meanwhile, at the same occasion, Tsegaye Abebe, chairman of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association ( EHPEA), said Ethiopia is expected to be one of the world's leading exporters of cut flowers within just three to five years.
"The agricultural potential of the horticulture sub-sector is proved to be a vital force for our economic growth by giving job opportunities, introducing new technologies and diversifying Ethiopia's agricultural export product range and bring in much needed foreign exchange," said Tsegaye.
The Horn of Africa country, which prides itself on being the birthplace of coffee, earns about 20 million U.S. dollars annually from flowers, according to EHPEA statistics.
It is still a paltry amount compared to the 334 million dollars it earned last crop year from sales of coffee, its main export commodity. But given the rate of growth in the flower industry, it could soon catch up.
According to the EHPEA, Ethiopia ships out 70 tons of flowers every day but the volume is growing and exporters now have to charter daily flights to Europe in addition to using regular scheduled flights.
Ethiopia is keen to advertize that flights from its capital reach European auctioneers two hours earlier than those from Kenya, which means blossoms stay fresher longer.
Organized by the EHPEA, the exhibition is one of the two bi- annual events of its kind in the continent, attracting over 150 companies from 21 countries.
Source: Xinhua