Ethiopia has unveiled a national programme aimed at reversing a sharp decline in sorghum production, as authorities seek to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports.
The initiative, led by the agriculture ministry, focuses on improving seed quality, promoting modern farming technologies and strengthening the entire sorghum value chain, officials said.
The programme was presented during a validation workshop held in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, bringing together farmers, researchers and development partners to fine-tune implementation strategies.
Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega said the plan aims to boost productivity while supporting agro-industrial growth.
“By investing in innovative seeds and modern technologies, we aim to ensure food security and drive economic growth through import substitution,” he said, adding that the initiative would also support downstream industries such as beverages and poultry.
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Sorghum is a staple crop in Ethiopia and a key source of food and income for millions of smallholder farmers. It is also widely used in animal feed and increasingly in industrial processing.
However, the sector has been under strain in recent years, with production falling significantly from its 2020 peak. According to estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization, output dropped from 5.63 million tonnes in 2020 to about 4.1 million tonnes in 2024 — a decline of roughly 27 percent.
The downturn has raised concerns about food availability and rural livelihoods in a country already vulnerable to climate shocks and economic pressures.
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The United States Department of Agriculture projects that sorghum production will stagnate at around 4 million tonnes in both 2025 and 2026 if current challenges persist.
Experts attribute the decline to a combination of factors, including limited access to improved seed varieties, recurring droughts, pest infestations and ongoing conflicts in key agricultural regions such as Tigray, Oromia and Amhara.
These disruptions have reduced both the area under cultivation and crop yields, undermining productivity gains made in previous years.
One of the most significant threats to sorghum production is the spread of the parasitic Striga weed, which attaches itself to crop roots and deprives plants of nutrients. The USDA estimates that Striga infestations can cause yield losses exceeding 30 percent in affected areas.
The new government initiative seeks to address these challenges through targeted interventions, including the development and distribution of high-yield and pest-resistant seed varieties, improved extension services and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.
Authorities also plan to enhance post-harvest handling, storage and processing infrastructure to reduce losses and add value to sorghum production.
Analysts say strengthening the value chain will be critical to making the sector more competitive and attractive to investment, particularly as Ethiopia looks to expand agro-industrial activities and create jobs in rural areas.
The emphasis on import substitution reflects broader government efforts to reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves by boosting domestic production of key commodities.
While officials have yet to disclose the programme’s timeline or total investment cost, the initiative signals a renewed commitment to revitalising a sector that plays a vital role in Ethiopia’s food system.
Observers say the success of the plan will depend on effective implementation, sustained funding and improved security conditions in farming regions.
If successful, the programme could help stabilise production, improve farmer incomes and strengthen resilience against future shocks, positioning sorghum as a key pillar of Ethiopia’s agricultural and economic strategy.
Ethiopia has launched a national sorghum revival programme as authorities seek to reverse a steady decline in output of one of the country’s most important staple crops. The initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture during a validation workshop in Addis Ababa on March 24, bringing together farmers, researchers and development partners to shape implementation. Officials say the programme will focus on improved seed varieties, modern farming technologies and stronger value-chain development.
The government says the new drive is aimed at improving food security, reducing dependence on grain imports and linking sorghum production more closely to industrial uses such as beverage manufacturing and poultry feed. Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega said the plan is designed not only to raise farm output, but also to support import substitution, rural income growth and agro-industrial development.
The push comes at a time when Ethiopia’s sorghum sector has been under pressure. According to recent estimates cited by sector reports, national sorghum production fell from about 5.63 million tonnes in 2020 to around 4.1 million tonnes in 2024, representing a decline of roughly 27 percent. Forecasts suggest output may remain close to 4 million tonnes in 2025 and 2026 unless productivity improves.
Several factors have contributed to the decline, including limited access to improved seeds, recurrent drought, pest infestations and insecurity in key producing regions such as Tigray, Oromia and Amhara. One of the major agronomic challenges is Striga weed infestation, which researchers say can significantly reduce yields. These constraints have weakened both harvested area and productivity, even though sorghum remains highly suited to Ethiopia’s dryland farming systems.
Sorghum remains strategically important in Ethiopia because it is one of the country’s main food grains and performs better than many other cereals in arid and semi-arid areas. It is widely consumed in traditional foods and beverages and is particularly important for household nutrition in drought-prone communities. Its resilience also makes it a valuable crop in the context of climate stress and rising food insecurity.
The renewed attention to sorghum also fits into Ethiopia’s broader agricultural modernization agenda. The FAO’s current country framework for Ethiopia emphasizes innovation in sustainable agricultural production, climate resilience, food security and inclusive rural growth, all of which align with the new sorghum initiative.
In practical terms, the success of the programme will likely depend on whether Ethiopia can improve access to quality seed, mechanization, extension services, irrigation, pest control and market linkages. If implemented effectively, the initiative could help Ethiopia not only stabilize sorghum output but also reposition the crop as both a food-security buffer and an agro-industrial input.
