SHEGER – Sheger City has officially launched its apple and avocado planting program in the Mana Abichu sub-cities of Akako Woreda, aiming to bolster food security and modernize agricultural productivity.
During the launch event, Mayor Teshome Adugna (PhD) announced that 100,000 hectares have been prepared for the planting of 1.1 million apple and avocado trees this year. The initiative is part of the Green Legacy and Bounty of the Basket programs, which collectively aim to plant 1.5 million trees on over 57.9 hectares this summer.
Teshome emphasized that Sheger plays a crucial role in achieving food self-sufficiency and facilitating the export of surplus produce. This commercially oriented initiative focuses on modernizing agriculture through innovative methods, including pollution-free dairy farming and horticulture.
The plan includes the planting of over one million seedlings, with 800 hectares allocated for apple trees and 200 hectares for avocados. The city’s proximity to the capital enhances market access, positioning Sheger as a growing economic hub, the mayor added.
Sheger City Agriculture Office’s Deputy Head Dejene Bekele stated that 50,000 apple trees are part of the 1.5 million trees scheduled for planting in the Mana Abichu District this year.
Notably, Ethiopia has long relied on imported apple products, but this initiative aims not only to ensure local food security but also to enable exports. Of the planned seedlings, 921,000 apple saplings are set to be planted in seven of the twelve mountainous sub-cities, while 70,000 avocado seedlings will be planted in the remaining five.
Members of the National Defense Force, Republican Guard, and various sections of the community participated in the event.
BY NAOL GIRMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2025
