UNIDO Lauds Ethiopia’s Move in Promoting Agro-processing Industry

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) appreciated Ethiopia’s efforts towards promoting agro-processing industrial parks across the country.

In an exclusive interview with ENA UNIDO Country Director Gustavo Aishemberg said “Ethiopian government really assumed this responsibility to drive the movement of promoting agro processing industries in the whole country”.

Ethiopia has engaged in the development of integrated agro-industrial parks (IAIPs) following the feasibility studies that identified 17 agro-industrial growth corridors (AIGC).

 

One integrated agro-industrial park is planned to be developed in each of the identified corridors. In the first implementation phase, four pilot parks are set to be developed in Oromia, Amhara, Tigray and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states.

While the construction of the IAIPs in Amhara, Tigray and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states have already launched, preparations are finalized to launch construction in Oromia.

Noting that agro-industries are important for countries like Ethiopia with huge agricultural potential, the Director lauded the commitment of the government to utilize this potential.

“I have never seen this kind of strong commitment of the government in the developing countries toward an industrialization agenda”, he said.

UNIDO is working with the government of Ethiopia in the establishment of those industrial parks through its Program for Country Partnership (PCP) for Ethiopia. It focuses on agro-food processing; textiles and apparel; and leather and leather products.

“Agro-industry makes the agricultural production sustainable because it guarantees a flow from farm to the market. It is also a big motivation for rural population to get engaged.”

As integrated agro-industrial parks will enable to establish backward and forward linkages; foster strong linkages between agriculture and agro-industry; and increase value addition and reduce wastages, they will help to improve farmer’s quality of life.

“The only way to bring development to the whole population is through agro-processing industry, to add value to the farm production and this is the only way to drain the wealth and possibility.”

Noting that building competitive industries should comply with environmental standards, Aishemberg acknolwledged that the practice is already started in Ethiopia.

Alongside the development of IAIPs, Ethiopia has given priority to the environmental standards that the parks should comply with, said Mebrahtu Meles, State Minister of Industry.

“All the industrial parks that we are building in the country have to be environmental friendly and consider social compliance. At the moment environmental and social studies are underway”.

Through the parks, the nation has set target to ensure backward and forward linkage, improve export of value added products thereby realize its vision of becoming middle income economy by 2025.

By developing agro-processing parks, Ethiopia has aimed to drive structural transformation, reduce rural poverty and create a better environment for increased investment in agro-food and allied sectors.

source ena