Netherlands Collaborates with Ethiopia in Agriculture and Other Sectors, Says Ambassador

ADDIS ABABA – Ambassador Henk Jan Bakker has highlighted the Netherlands’ commitment to sharing its expertise in agriculture with Ethiopia, emphasizing the country’s role in horticulture and dairy development.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, in an exclusive interview with ENA, the Netherlands Ambassador to Ethiopia, Bakker, stated that the Netherlands, despite its small size, is the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural products. The country is renowned for utilizing advanced technology in agriculture and is eager to share this experience with Ethiopia, providing financial and technological support.

Ambassador Bakker noted that while it is not feasible to transfer technology directly to Ethiopia, the Netherlands can impart significant knowledge in technology, management, and other crucial aspects of agricultural development. As an illustration of the impact of this collaboration, he pointed to the dairy program, where participating Ethiopian farmers have seen an average increase of 5 liters per day per cow in milk production, significantly boosting their income.

Furthermore, the ambassador mentioned the establishment of farmer field schools (FFSs) in Ethiopia, which aim to enhance farming methods and have already reached 100,000 farmers. Plans are in place to expand these schools further. Bakker acknowledged that despite the vast potential for dairy production in Ethiopia, the sector remains relatively small in comparison to the population. The focus is on supporting both smallholder and commercial farmers to increase production of milk and vegetables to meet local demands.

This week, the Government of the Netherlands finalized agreements worth over 70 million euros in the fields of horticulture and dairy development. Additionally, the Netherlands provides support in health, water, and law enforcement sectors among others in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Bakker also highlighted the economic ties between the two countries, with nearly 100 Dutch companies operating in Ethiopia, many of which are involved in the floriculture industry. This partnership reflects a broader commitment to development cooperation and economic engagement between the Netherlands and Ethiopia.