Israelis Present Technologies at Ethio-Israel Agritech Forum

Eight Israeli agricultural technology suppliers are participating at the Fourth Ethio-Israel Agritech Forum that was launched on September 9, 2015 at the Sheraton Addis Hotel.

The technologies presented are what have helped the tiny country to be self-sufficient and an exporter of agricultural products, said Eyal Zachor, Israel’s Export Institution Marketing Coordinator of Agricultural Technologies.

These technologies range from irrigation to the breeding of animals. The companies had discussions with government representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry and the Addis Abeba Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Forum, Wondirad Mandefro, state minister for Agriculture, said that there is still a room for further growth of the sector.

“Although the Agricultural sector has been growing at an average rate of 7.5pc, this growth is a fraction of the potential the country has,” said Wondirad.

He also emphasised that Ethiopia has potential domestic and export markets in the United States, European Union, the Middle East and China.

Israel’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ethiopian born, Amharic speaking Belaynesh Zevadia, affirmed that “the forum was principally designed to enhance the development of the agricultural sector in Ethiopia and to strengthen economic and technological ties between Ethiopia and Israel.”

Stating that Israel is a major exporter of fresh agricultural products and agricultural technologies, one of the participants said that the technologies that worked for Israel would also work for Ethiopia.

Zachor, said that Israel had managed to produce surplus agricultural products with the limited water it has, and Ethiopia could do better.

“If we could do it in Israel, Ethiopia can also do it,” he said.

Safe Pack Products has come with technologies for managing post-harvest loss of crops. Its general manager, Siqalit Berenzon, said that the company wants to import the technologies that are helpful to reduce Ethiopia’s post-harvest loss.

In Ethiopia, teff suffers the most wastage during the post-harvest process with 26pc lost, maize follows losing 23.3pc. Barley and beans lose 18.9pc and 19.6pc, respectively, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (CSA). The loss of wheat is 13.8pc and sorghum loses just 10.9pc.

“Many African countries know how to produce but they lose it during harvesting,” Berenzon said.

Another company that works in the dairy and fattening sector expressed keen interest in investing in Ethiopia, where it believes there is lack of technology and innovation.

“Ethiopia’s government should encourage Israeli companies to come and invest in Ethiopia to share their technologies,” said Qualified Gene manager, David Dror talking to journalists at the event. “Ethiopia can be the gate for us in the Eastern part of the continent.”

He said the companies at the forum expected financial and communication support from the Ethiopian government in order to be able to invest here.


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