Ethiopia has various agro-ecological zones which could grow more than 100 species of spices
The Ministry of Industry said exploiting the untapped spices resources for export market is essential for earning foreign currency which supports other economic sectors.
At the opening ceremony of the workshop which reveals the strategic development study on spices industry prepared by the Ministry of Industry in collaboration with the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Industry State Minister Dr. Mebrahtu Melese said that though Ethiopia has various agroecological zones which could grow more than 100 species of spices, the utilization of the sub sector is negligible. As a result, the nation has not been able to benefit from the sector as it deserves.
According to Mebrahtu, traditional production system, lack of value chain and market integration, among others, are various constraints to tap the resources. As to him, the strategic study revealed at the workshop could be a vital input to tackle the inherent problems of the sector.
He further said that the government has already employed multidimensional approach to modernize the sub sector gradually and to that end capacity building to the actors in the sector, provision of technology and credit facilities have been provided. In addition, investors involved in the production, processing and marketing have been provided support to become competent in their endeavors and some of them have been able to take part in experience sharing journey abroad.
Spice Sub Sector Industry Strategy Plan Preparation Team Leader Dr. Atsede Asefa on her part said that the Ethiopian spice industry is hindered constraints faced in the process of production, processing, lack of post-harvest handling technologies and value chain. To combat these problems and make the country competitive at the international market all the stakeholders in the sub sector industry, growers, handlers, brokers, processors and exporters need to participate in promoting the proper practices at each stage of the value chain and thrive for satisfying local and international customer requirements in a coordinated approach to tap the market at optimal level.
According to a recent report, in the country 73.3 million hectares of land is suitable for agriculture out of which 3.7 million hectares of land already enclosed for local and foreign investors for the production of spices with better technology and the necessary inputs, she added.
[TheEthiopianHerald]
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