Ethiopia Earns Recognition for Wheat Production As Prime Minister Abiy Receives FAO Agricola Medal

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has awarded His Excellency Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, with the prestigious FAO Agricola Medal.

It was bestowed on the Ethiopian leader at the FAO Headquarters in Rome Italy.

This recognition comes as a testament to Ethiopia’s dedication to food security, particularly in the domain of wheat production. The ceremony, attended by high-level delegates from various countries, international organizations, diplomatic missions, and private sector representatives, highlighted Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s outstanding contributions to rural and economic development in Ethiopia.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu warmly welcomed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to the ceremony and conveyed heartfelt congratulations for accepting the prestigious Agricola Medal. This award, the highest bestowed by the FAO Director-General, is given to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts in advancing global food security, poverty alleviation, and nutrition, aligning with FAO’s mandate.

The Director-General emphasized that the Agricola Medal was conferred to Prime Minister Abiy for his significant contribution to Ethiopia’s rural and economic development, particularly for his support of the Wheat for Food Self-Sufficiency program and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, in line with FAO’s Green Cities Initiative. It was noted that this marked the first time Director-General QU Dongyu conferred the medal since taking office in 2019.

The Director further said “I have visited Ethiopia twice in the Past five years. I saw the Change from the Infrastructure to agro-industry, wheat production with the best-improved infrastructure irrigation system and best seed technologies”

Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed received the FAO prestigious award

Ethiopia is the second largest producer of wheat in Africa (next to Egypt) and produces 5.5 Mt wheat, which is equivalent to 21.7% of wheat produced and 18.3 % wheat area harvested in Africa.

Highlighting Ethiopia’s impressive development over the past five years, the Director-General praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s effective, accountable, and stable leadership amid challenging national, regional, and global circumstances. The Director-General stated that Ethiopia’s success serves as a model for the African continent.

In response, Prime Minister Abiy expressed deep appreciation for FAO’s support in realizing Ethiopia’s vision, especially in the agricultural sector.

He revealed that over the past five years, Ethiopia had expanded agricultural land by more than 50%, leading to increased production, notably in wheat and rice. Ethiopia, once an importer of wheat, had achieved self-sufficiency and became the largest wheat exporter in Africa since 2023.

“Ethiopia is a nation of plenty; it has abundant natural resources, favorable weather and youth population. Synergy among these factors is so essential in accelerating the development of this historic nation. The endeavor we have begun in the past five years are solid foundations for the next generations,” Prime Minister Abiy said.

He added, “Five years ago, we introduced an essential policy turning point generating the national home-grown reform agenda from which agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, mining and ICT were identified as pillars and engines of growth. While all these pillars are there, agriculture productivity is critical for population of more than 120 million.”

Abiy characterized the FAO Agricola Medal as an acknowledgment of Ethiopia’s commitment to food security and stated that his government’s focus on high-value and industrial crops is yielding promising results. He reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to its food sovereignty path.

“For long we were dependent on importing crops, but now, since we engaged in use of technologies, we are transformed from wheat deficit to exporting nation grown by 300%.”

The FAO DG also held talks with Prime Minister Abiy where they “agreed on the importance of rural development for effective transformation of agrifood systems in Africa, and beyond – leaving no one behind.”

The FAO Agricola Medal, while celebrating Ethiopia’s success, underscores the ongoing challenges in the region that demand concerted efforts for sustainable solutions and continued collaboration.