The Ethiopian Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) convened its 4th Steering Committee Meeting in Bishoftu, where members reviewed the program’s performance during the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year (EFY) and examined the proposed 2019 EFY Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B).
Opening the meeting, Sofia Kassa (PhD), State Minister, at the Ministry of Agriculture Ethiopia, underscored the strategic importance of the Food Systems Resilience Program in advancing Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation and strengthening food security. She emphasized the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation of ongoing activities to ensure the successful achievement of the program’s objectives.
Dr. Sofia noted that encouraging progress has been recorded in the implementation of program activities across the country. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening sustainable development initiatives that improve the livelihoods of citizens while creating lasting benefits for future generations.
During the meeting, a series of technical presentations highlighted the program’s achievements and future priorities. Mr. Shemelese Kebede, Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Expert of the FSRP, presented the 2018 EFY Results Indicator Report, outlining key performance outcomes and progress achieved during the reporting period.
In addition, Mr. Keberu Belayneh, National Program Manager of the Food Systems Resilience Program at the Ministry of Agriculture Ethiopia, presented the 2019 EFY Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B). He reported that the program has successfully implemented a wide range of development interventions across various agricultural sectors and expressed confidence that these achievements would be expanded and consolidated in the coming fiscal year.
Nigussie Dana (PhD), Program Coordinator at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), presented the proposed activities and budget under the program’s Research Sub-Component.
The meeting also heard a presentation from Mr. Michael Belay, Senior Partnership Expert at the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), on the 2019 EFY Annual Work Plan and Budget related to Policy Reform, Digital Agriculture, and the Food Systems Transformation Strategy. The presentations were followed by extensive discussions among Steering Committee members and stakeholders.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, representatives of affiliated institutions, heads of regional agriculture bureaus, program coordinators, and other key stakeholders.
Following thorough deliberations on the program’s achievements, plans, and budget proposals, the Steering Committee officially approved the Food Systems Resilience Program’s 2019 EFY Annual Work Plan and Budget, paving the way for the continued implementation of activities aimed at enhancing the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of Ethiopia’s food systems.
