Addis Ababa, May 25, 2026 (Ministry of Agriculture): The Ministry of Agriculture has handed over of farm mechanization equipment under the Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains Development Project (ISAVCDP), reinforcing national efforts to modernize agriculture and enhance productivity.
The equipment distribution included 16 tractors, 35 irrigation water pumps, and three fodder balers in Oromia Region, along with additional 10 tractors provided to Sidama Region. The machinery has been delivered to farmer unions and agricultural research centers to support the transition from traditional farming practices to mechanized agriculture.
Regional officials emphasized the importance of the mechanization support in improving agricultural efficiency and productivity. The Deputy Head of the Oromia Agriculture Bureau, Bariso Feyisa, stated that farmers are transitioning from oxen-based plowing systems to tractor-based farming, which is expected to boost irrigated wheat production and strengthen food security.
In Sidama Region, the Head of the Agriculture and Natural Resource Development Bureau, Memru Moke, noted that the project is benefiting approximately 200,000 people across 10 woredas. He highlighted that the initiative is contributing to job creation and economic growth through improved market linkages and the development of fruit seedlings.
ISAVCDP also facilitates connections between smallholder farmers and agro-industrial parks, including Bulbula and Yirgalem Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks. The linkage supports producers of wheat, tomatoes, avocados, and pineapples by improving market access, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing the value of agricultural outputs while contributing to import substitution.
The FAO has been providing technical and strategic support to the project, including assistance in the design and deployment of agricultural mechanization technologies and strengthening market linkage systems. FAO Ethiopia Country Director Representative Dr. Demeke Atlaw stated that the distributed equipment is expected to significantly contribute to the modernization of the agricultural sector and increased productivity.
The National Project Manager of ISAVCDP, Solomon Dagne, stated that the initiative is focused on strengthening direct linkages between smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and agro-industrial markets, while promoting locally produced commodities to reduce reliance on imports and conserve foreign exchange.
The Ministry of Agriculture reiterated that the mechanization handover represents a key step in advancing Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation agenda by enhancing productivity, expanding market opportunities, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Bahiru Setegne
