Addis Ababa: Director General of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute, Dr. Mandefro Nigusse said Ethiopia is ramping up efforts to build an economy resilient to climate change impacts stressing that the momentum must be sustained to succeed in this endeavor.
The Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) is hosting a national panel discussion under the title “Green Development For Sustainable Prosperity” in the city of Dire Dawa.
Government officials, representatives of various organizations working on climate change and green development, as well as academic institutions and invited guest are in attendance at the panel that focused on topics such as impacts of climate change and the current global situation, climate change and sustainable development, Ethiopia’s experience in green development and the role of the media in addressing climate change.
During the panel, Director General of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute said Ethiopia is undertaking a coordinated strategy to build a climat
e-resilient Green economy development.
He highlighted ongoing works to mitigate the severe impacts of climate change on agriculture, natural resources, and health sectors.
Mandefro stated that Ethiopia’s efforts to rapidly develop its crop and livestock resources annually are bearing fruit in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
With drought and poverty being existential issues requiring ensuring household food security, he stated the encouraging efforts to tremendously increase agriculture production within ten years.
To elevate these transformative gains, Mandefro stressed implementing the Green development initiative in an integrated and systematic manner.
The Green Development approach enhances soil fertility, sustainably improves soil health allowing increased productivity and yield, he explained.
Additionally, the Green Development strategy enables efficient water resource utilization and management while boosting household incomes, Mandefro added.
“The Green Legacy initiative helps gener
ate income from crops cultivated at scale, allowing us to bequeath a better nation to our children,” Mandefro remarked.
Director of the Ethiopian Climate Change Institute at Jimma University, Dr. Kefelegn Getahun underscored prioritizing integrated implementation of the Green development approach to preempt potential climate change-induced challenges in the Horn of Africa region.
He cited flood hazards, health issues, conflicts, and poverty as risks exacerbated by climate change that require coordinated mitigation and adaptation efforts institutionally and through research-backed interventions to achieve greater outcomes.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency