Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s coffee industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a modest export sector into a major economic powerhouse, the Ministry of Agriculture announced.
Speaking on “Progress for Sustainable Growth,” Minister of Agriculture Addisu Arega highlighted that the sector now generates 2.7 billion USD in revenue, benefiting millions of farmers across the country.
He recalled that just five years ago, coffee exports were minimal, contributing little to the nation’s foreign revenue, with annual exports totaling fewer than 200,000 tons.
According to the minister, the sector’s growth is largely driven by the Green Legacy Initiative, which has overseen the planting of billions of coffee seedlings.
This initiative has significantly increased Ethiopia’s coffee output, strengthening its position in the global market.
In the 2017 Ethiopian Fiscal Year alone, the country produced over 1.2 million tons of coffee, exporting around 467,000 tons and generating the impressive 2.7 billion USD in foreign currency, which has contributed significantly to national economic growth.
Coffee remains a key focus for the government, as more than 20 million Ethiopian farmers rely on it as their primary source of income.
To support these farmers, the government is working to strengthen connections among growers, processors, and exporters, maximizing Ethiopia’s competitive advantage and promoting national interests, he emphasized.
Research institutions are also playing a vital role by developing improved coffee varieties with higher yields and better resistance to diseases and climate change. Billions of these seedlings are being cultivated and planted nationwide to further boost production.
Minister Addisu emphasized that these advancements are already improving the livelihoods of coffee farmers, providing them with more opportunities to save and expand their businesses.
The country has focused on improving both the quantity and quality of its coffee production, to become the world’s second-largest coffee producer and exporter, he said, adding that this will enhance its international standing in the coming years.
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