Kinshasa,July 26,2026 (TOP243NEWS)-Launched in November 2022 at the initiative of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s « Yelemat Tirufat » (« Basket of Plenty ») programme has emerged as one of the country’s flagship initiatives for agricultural transformation. Inspired by the traditional lemat basket—a symbol of abundance, sharing and solidarity—the programme seeks to strengthen food security by empowering every household to play an active role in national agricultural development.
The initiative combines the modernization of farming practices, innovation, support for smallholder farmers, and strong community participation. Its overarching objective is to enhance household food self-sufficiency while improving economic resilience across rural communities.
According to Mekuria Getachew Worku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Yelemat Tirufat programme demonstrates the ability of African nations to design and implement development solutions tailored to their own realities.
The ambassador emphasized that empowering rural households, supporting small-scale farmers, and promoting innovation in agriculture are essential pillars for building a more resilient and inclusive economy capable of ensuring Africa’s food sovereignty.
Within this framework, Ambassador Worku called for closer cooperation between Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in agricultural research, technology transfer, investment, and the development of agricultural value chains.
As Africa faces mounting challenges from climate change, rapid population growth, and food insecurity, he stressed that stronger bilateral cooperation would foster sustainable economic growth, enhance food security, and deliver shared prosperity for the people of both nations.
The programme’s achievements since its launch underscore its impact. National egg production increased from approximately 2.8 billion eggs in 2020 to more than 9.3 billion eggs in 2025, while annual poultry meat production has reached nearly 190,000 metric tonnes.
The initiative has also accelerated the development of beekeeping, aquaculture, dairy farming, and several other agricultural value chains, creating thousands of jobs, particularly for women and young people.
By placing nutrition at the centre of its development strategy, Yelemat Tirufat has also improved household access to nutritious, diversified and affordable food, reinforcing Ethiopia’s broader efforts to strengthen food security and promote sustainable rural development.
By Willyeve Diakuantinu