
Ethiopia is embarking on a transformative journey to become self-sufficient in wheat production and even emerge as an exporter, thanks to a collaborative effort with international partners and a significant investment in innovative agricultural projects. This ambitious endeavor is part of a broader strategy to enhance food security and economic stability in a region often plagued by climatic challenges.
International Collaboration and Innovative Projects
A landmark initiative in this transformation is the $94 million Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development (CREW) project, launched in May by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Ethiopian government. The project’s goal is to increase wheat yields and support smallholder farmers in Ethiopia’s Afar, Amhara, Oromia, and Somali regions. The funding includes contributions from the African Development Fund, the Netherlands, OCP-Africa, and the Global Center for Adaptation (GCA).
Learning from Indian Expertise
In a bid to harness global expertise, Ethiopian researchers have partnered with their Indian counterparts under the ADAPT-Wheat project. This three-year initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, aims to integrate advanced agro-technologies and farming equipment to improve wheat yields in Ethiopia’s arid climates.
In March, four Ethiopian researchers visited India to gain insights into improving wheat cultivation in dry conditions. They toured the Indian Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) and the Indian Wheat and Wheat Research Institute (IIWBR), learning about techniques such as reclaiming saline soils with salt-tolerant crops and advanced water management strategies. Workshops covered a range of topics, including agrochemical and biological technologies for soil reclamation and the use of cover crops to mitigate soil temperature and evaporation.
Technological and Agricultural Advancements
The Ethiopian delegation also visited the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), where they explored conservation agriculture practices designed to increase fertilizer efficiency and manage crop residues. This knowledge is expected to significantly boost wheat yields in Ethiopia. Additionally, they were introduced to innovative machinery for ploughing, sowing, and threshing at Dasmesh Mechanical Works.
The CREW Project: A Comprehensive Approach
The CREW project is structured around two main components. The first focuses on improving wheat cultivation through environmentally sustainable practices. This includes developing better seed varieties, enhancing soil health, rehabilitating and constructing irrigation systems, and promoting private sector-led agricultural mechanization. The second component aims to expand post-harvest and market infrastructure, providing farmers with better access to agrofinance through innovative mechanisms.

Impact and Future Prospects
The combined efforts of the ADAPT-Wheat and CREW projects are expected to yield substantial benefits. The CREW project alone aims to increase wheat yields from three to four tons per hectare, potentially adding 1.62 million tons of wheat to Ethiopia’s annual production. It will also expand irrigation in the Afar and Somali regions, ultimately benefiting 2.3 million people, half of whom are women. This initiative is poised to create jobs, improve food security, and lay the groundwork for Ethiopia’s transition from a wheat importer to a self-sufficient producer and exporter.
As Ethiopia leverages international collaboration and cutting-edge agricultural technologies, the nation is set to make significant strides towards achieving food security and economic resilience in the face of climatic challenges. The commitment and innovation demonstrated in these projects underscore a promising future for Ethiopian agriculture and its potential role in the global wheat market.
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