The Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency (EHDA) has celebrated a key milestone as the east African nation began exporting bananas for the first time ever.
In a nation where agriculture is the foundation, Ethiopia’s economy has long heavily relied on thriving coffee yields as its main cash crop. In recent years the EHDA has been encouraging Ethiopian farmers to acquire
new farming techniques and new crops.
This week the country recorded its first shipment of 40 tons of organic banana to Saudi Arabia to meet growing demands for the produce in that market.
According to the EHDA, at least 11,400 farmers are involved in the project covering 3100ha. It added Ethiopia was in the process of exporting 200 tons of bananas per week for the Jeddah market following an agreement with a foreign company interested in exporting.
more...Somaliland Press