Ethiopia is often referred to as the sleeping-giant as long as horticulture industry is concerned though the country is ranked secondly in Africa’s floriculture while categorized among the top five flower exporting nations globally.
With ideal agro-ecological diversity, abundant water and irrigable land resources as well as competitive operational advantages, the East African country is yet to unleash its horticultural potential to enhance food system and boost export revenues to billions from over half a billion now.
As the country has launched and been implementing the 10-year national horticulture strategy and the 15-year avocado development program, with the Government’s several incentives, commercial farms are mobilizing huge investment resources to leverage the potential, thereby contributing to the success of the ambitious multibillion-dollar frameworks.
The recently inaugurated state-of-the-art beneficial insect mass-rearing facility by Red Fox Ethiopia Plc. (Dummen Orange) in Koka, the first in Ethiopia, is among the tangible demonstrations of the private sector’s dedicated engagement in the country’s horticulture through sustainable agricultural practices.
With ongoing investments in critical infrastructure and facilities, Luna Farm in Deramalo District, Gamo Zone of the South Ethiopia Region, is boosting its operation in producing different types of horticultural crops.
Operating with drip and pivot irrigation systems and refrigerated trucks, the Farm produces different types of fruits and vegetables, including, mango, banana, orange, avocado, watermelon, tomato, onion, beetroot as well as varieties of capscum, lettuce and cabbage among other types of horticultural crops.
Creating job opportunities for 600 people, the Farm provides them with subsidized meals and medical services among other benefits while continuously building their capacity through training and coaching.
During a recent joint mission to fruits and vegetable farms in southern parts of Ethiopia, team members from the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association – EHPEA and GIZ paid visit to Luna Farm, where a discussion was also held with its Management on horticultural practices, markets and value chains and challenges among others.
The Management at Luna said they would boost their operation also with foreign markets once the state-of-the-art pack-house and cold-room facilities go fully functional within few weeks.
The EHPEA Executive Director Tewodros Zewdie commends the Farm for its committed engagement in the subsector, contributing share to enhance Ethiopia’s vegetable export.
The Executive Director hails the role Luna plays in addressing the aspirations for nutritious, healthy, affordable and accessible fruits and vegetables. “The farm has the potential to transform the supply chain and quality production of fruits and vegetables in the surrounding areas as it has propagation facility, infrastructures, technology know-how and market,” says Tewodros.
