H.E Semereta Sewasew, the State Minister of Finance, had a meeting with Dr. Pascal C. SANGINGA, who is the Head of the Division for Agriculture and Agro-industries East Africa Regional Office at the African Development Bank, and the Chairman of OCP Group, an important global provider of phosphate and its derivatives, Mr. Lahcen ENNAHLI.

The State Minister has made a brief on the current opportunities and challenges of the wheat sector in Ethiopia, which is one of the main staple crops for food security and income generation for millions of smallholder farmers.

She highlighted the government's efforts to increase wheat productivity and quality through improved seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, mechanization, extension services, and market linkages.

They discussed how the Bank can support the development of wheat production through an upcoming project under the second compact program initiated by the African Development Bank.

On his behalf, Mr. Ennahli updated her excellency about AfDB's ongoing and planned interventions in the agricultural sector, including a $92 million project to improve wheat productivity involving irrigation development in various regions.

H.E. Semereta Sewasew thanked the African Development Bank and OCP, for their contribution to the envisaged support, which is in line with Ethiopia's priority on wheat production. Both parties agreed to strengthen their partnership and coordination.

The project is expected to increase private sector engagement beyond wheat production and create massive jobs for the youth in project implementation areas.