Addis Ababa, May 11, 2026 (Ministry of Agriculture): The first-round session of the 2026 National Variety Release Standing Committee is being held under the coordination of the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority. The forum brings together representatives from federal and regional research institutes, universities, private seed producers, and other key stakeholders.
Addressing participants, Wondale Habtamu (PhD), Deputy Director General of the Plant Regulatory Directorate at the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, highlighted the critical role of quality seed in enhancing agricultural production and productivity.
He noted that while effective pest and weed management remain essential for agricultural development, improved crop varieties alone can contribute more than 40 percent to production increases.
Wondale further stressed the importance of maintaining strict quality standards, emphasizing that both approved and rejected varieties play a vital role in the evaluation process. He underscored that substandard seeds must not reach farmers and expressed confidence that the varieties endorsed following thorough review will meet the required release standards.
During the forum, experts are evaluating 122 crop varieties identified as having significant potential to improve agricultural output.
According to the information presented, approximately 60 percent of crop varieties submitted each year successfully pass the evaluation process and proceed to production.
