Israel pledges to develop Ethiopian agriculture sector

December 27, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Israeli government said committed to expand and diversify cooperation with Ethiopia especially in areas of agriculture technology transfer.

ZVI Herman, Director for Israel’s Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation (CINADCO), told the official ENA that his government is closely working with Ethiopia to diversify its cooperation in agriculture sector.

He further said the Israel government is implementing two tripartite agricultural projects in line with Ethiopian government’s efforts geared toward ensuring food security and self-sufficiency.

The first project, focusing on seedlings development, is jointly run by the International Cooperation Center of Israel (MASHAV), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID). While the second project which enables Ethiopia to enhance small-scale irrigation development.

Herman heading an Israeli delegation held talks with Ethiopian State Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Abera Deressa and Beshir Abdullahi on implementation of the projects and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector.

The delegation consisting of experts from CINADCO and MASHAV has already visited the projects.

Agriculture, which constitutes 46 percent of GDP and more than 80 percent of exports, is by far the most important economic activity in the Ethiopian economy.

An estimated 85 percent of the population are engaged in agricultural production. Important agricultural exports include coffee, hides and skins (leather products), pulses, oilseeds, beeswax, and, increasingly, tea and flours.

(ST)