ADDIS ABABA-The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) announced successful distribution of over 11 million quintals of fertilizer, out of the total imported amount of 19 million quintals.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), MoA Public Relations and Communication Executive Officer Kebede Lakew said that the Ministry has imported 19.4 million quintals of fertilizer for this year’s harvest season.
Out of the total imported sum, about 25% has already been utilized for summer wheat irrigation. Efforts are underway to allocate the remaining stock efficiently, with 20% and 55% earmarked for upcoming two major agricultural seasons, he stated.
Notably, the Ministry has implemented robust measures to streamline procurement and distribution processes, ensuring timely services and meticulous monitoring for continuous improvement, according to Kebede.
He further noted, “The distribution timeline has been expedited, in a bid to shun chances for illegal brokers to exploit farmers. Plans to digitize agricultural finance services are on the pipeline, promising further efficiency in resource allocation.”
In parallel, the Ministry’s endeavor towards agricultural mechanization is progressing smoothly as more than 15 000 tractors are deployed across mechanized farms. This initiative aims to empower farmers by facilitating larger-scale tasks and enhancing overall productivity, he said.
“Machineries, including tractors and combiners are growing in number and quality. More than 15 000 tractors operating in several mechanized farms are simplifying farmers’ jobs” he remarked.
The MoA is committed to enhancing agricultural practices that are pivotal in ensuring sustainable development and food security initiatives, Kebede added.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 7 MAY 2024
