Wheat Development Initiative
Wheat has been identified as one of Ethiopia's ten priority commodities under the Ten-year Agricultural Development Plan. The Wheat Development Initiative aims to transform Ethiopia into a self-sufficient wheat producer.
Wheat has been identified as one of Ethiopia's ten priority commodities under the Ten-year Agricultural Development Plan. The Wheat Development Initiative aims to transform Ethiopia into a self-sufficient wheat producer.
For years, Ethiopia heavily relied on importing wheat, spending up to 1 billion US dollars annually. Following recent reforms, the government successfully saved substantial foreign exchange while boosting national food security.
During the dry season, wheat irrigation increased from 20,000 hectares in 2020 to 3.5 million hectares in 2025, and production increased from 600,000 quintals to 128 million quintals.
Key Achievements
- Dry season wheat irrigation increased from 20,000 to 3.5 million hectares (2020-2025)
- Wheat production increased from 600,000 to 128 million quintals (dry season)
- 7.8 million hectares cultivated during both rainy and dry seasons in 2025
- 280 million quintals total wheat produced in 2025
- Ethiopia fully replaced 2.6 million quintals of wheat imports