AU Assembly confirms Ethiopia's agriculture success

The on-going assembly of African Union heads of state and government in Sirte, Libya has confirmed that Ethiopia has obtained great success from the agriculture sector to which the country paid more attention.

The confirmation came on Thursday after the assembly has evaluated the 2003 Maputo agreement that was reached by African leaders to allocate at least 10 percent of their national budget to agriculture.

According to the 2003 Maputo agreement African countries decided to register a minimum 6 percent agriculture growth by allocating at least 10 percent of national budgetary resources to the sector.

Few African countries have achieved these two decisive goals, said Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the AU, and Namibian President, Hifikepunye Pohamba in their report to the assembly.

The report mentioned Ethiopia, Senegal, Madagascar, Mali, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Niger and Malawi as few countries that allocate more than 10 percent of their national budgetary resources for agriculture.

According to the report, Ethiopia, Angola, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Senegal have obtained great success in this regard, registering more than six percent growth in agriculture.

Ethiopia and Senegal were also mentioned as successful countries in achieving both goals; the allocation of 10 percent of national budget and the realization of 6 percent agricultural growth, according to the report.

The assembly called up on the developed nations to extend their aid for Africa while urging them to not hold back their assistances due to the current economic crisis.

ENA