Addis Ababa: Yirgalem Integrated-Agro Industrial Park has so far created some 17,000 jobs and market linkages for 130,000 farmers, Sidama Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks (Sidama IAIP) CEO Hailu Yetera revealed.
IAIPs are Special Economic Zones, built in Ethiopia with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities to provide a conducive environment for companies engaged in agro-inputs, high-tech greenhouse cultivation, focus crop processing, other agro commodities processing, food processing, agri-engineering and associated areas.
Yirgalem Integrated Agro Industrial Parks is one of the four IAIPs in the country.
Sidama IAIP CEO, Hailu Yetera told ENA that some 24 investors with a registered capital of 9.5 Billion Birr are working in Yirgalem Integrated Agro Industrial Park.
He added that the companies are engaged in agro processing projects including coffee, avocado, soybean, milk, honey, animal feed and nutrient-dense foods for kids.
Some of the companies are already started production and are supplying avocado, milk and various juice products for domestic and international markets, the CEO stated.
In this regard, a total of 16.7 million USD foreign currency was obtained in the last four years by exporting these goods which are produced in Yirgalem Integrated-Agro Industrial Park, the CEO pointed out.
Moreover, the industrial park has created 17,000 jobs and market linkage for 130,000 farmers, he indicated, noting the presence of three agricultural transformation centers where agricultural inputs are collected from farmers who are located up to 80 kilometers away from the industrial park.
The CEO further stated that sewerage treatment plant has been built in the park to prevent environmental pollution; whilst, construction of sanitary land field vital for the recycling of solid waste is underway in the park.
One-stop service center that investors can be easily accommodated has also been established in the park, he unveiled; emphasizing that Yergalem Integrated Agricultural Industrial Park is built with full facilities.
There are 3 Rural Transformation Centers (RTCs) situated within a 100-kilometer radius of the park at Bensa Daye, Aletawondo and Morocho.
The Rural Transformation Centers are rural development initiatives of the Government of Ethiopia that not only facilitate inclusive rural development, but also serve as a linkage to Yirgalem IAIP in terms of raw material supply.
At the centers, agricultural produce is collected, sorted, stored and may undergo primary processing before onward transport.
Yergalem Integrated Agricultural Industry Park sits on 294 hectares of land in Sidama Regional State of Ethiopia.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency