Addis Ababa (AMECO) – A international initiative in the Amhara region of north-western Ethiopia has expanded technological support to more than 6,000 smallholder farmers, driving up rice yields and improving household food security in an area increasingly reliant on the crop.
The EthioRice project, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) alongside the Fogera National Rice Research and Training Centre, has scaled up its operations from an initial group of 500 farmers to 6,285 beneficiaries across the South Gondar Zone.
“By using suitable land effectively and increasing productivity, we can secure food sovereignty through rice production,” said Dr Fiseha Worede, director of the Fogera National Rice Research and Training Centre.
Dr Fiseha noted that the project has supplied the research centre with essential laboratory equipment, introduced modern agricultural and processing machinery, and distributed small-scale processing technology to local farmers. More than 40 climate-adapted rice varieties are currently distributed based on regional agro-ecological conditions.
Beyond human consumption, the crop’s byproducts are playing a crucial role in local agricultural economies. Rice straw is increasingly used for livestock feed, bio-energy, cooking fuel, and other domestic applications.
Seged Ayechew, a researcher at the Fogera Centre, confirmed that rice cultivation has expanded beyond South Gondar into several adjacent zones within the region. Under the programme, smallholders are trained to multiply high-quality seeds on their own plots, supplying neighboring farms and commercial seed enterprises.
Alebachew Aligaz, coordinator of the EthioRice project at the Amhara Regional Bureau of Agriculture, said regional authorities are focusing on bringing underutilised land into production, upgrading seed distribution channels, and expanding access to hulling and milling machinery.
“Farmers now clearly understand the economic and nutritional benefits of rice,” Alebachew said. “Coverage is expanding continuously, and we are accelerating efforts to provide more rice hulling machines across rural districts.”
For local producers, the shift away from traditional farming techniques has yielded tangible financial gains. Farmers with over a decade of experience in the sector report that tech-assisted farming has enabled them to achieve household food security, supply commercial markets, and create agricultural jobs within their communities.
