Ministry of Agriculture (Ethiopia)

The powers and duties of the MoA include: conservation and use of forest and wildlife resources, food security, water use and small-scale irrigation, monitoring events affecting agricultural development and early warning system, promoting agricultural development, and establishing and providing agriculture and rural technology training. The Ministry of Agriculture was established on 23 August 1995 with the adoption of Proclamation 4-1995 which also established the other 14 original Ministries of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. On 13 January 2004, Proclamation No. 300/2004 merged this Ministry with the Ministry of Rural Development. The current Minister is Girma Amente (PhD). == Recent Developments ==

In January 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia launched a national agricultural digitalization strategy aimed at improving data-driven decision-making and modernizing farming practices. The initiative seeks to integrate digital tools for real-time monitoring of crop production, pest control, and soil management. Additionally, the Ministry introduced a new nationwide soil fertility mapping program to enhance sustainable agricultural productivity and ensure efficient use of fertilizers. In March 2024, the Ministry announced a large-scale locust control operation in collaboration with regional agricultural bureaus. The program focuses on using environmentally friendly pest management techniques to combat the spread of desert locusts threatening crops in parts of Oromia, Amhara, and Somali regions. The initiative involves aerial and ground spraying operations and increased monitoring efforts. == See also ==