ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Tuesday lauded the country's "significant progress" in wheat production, as part of a national ambition in achieving food self-sufficiency.

In a press statement issued Tuesday, the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia said the East African country produced 230 million quintals (23 million tonnes) of wheat during the 2023/2024 harvesting season.

Official figures showed a notable increase in the country's wheat production output, as the country produced a total of 151 million quintals of wheat during the 2022/2023 harvesting season.

Recalling that Ethiopia used to spend nearly one billion U.S. dollars annually on wheat imports to meet domestic demand as local production was insufficient, the Ethiopian Office of the Prime Minister said since the 2020/2021 harvest, the country has completely ceased wheat imports.

"These figures underscore Ethiopia's significant progress in wheat production, reinforcing its commitment to achieving food self-sufficiency," the statement read.

Ethiopia has made wheat production a central pillar in its journey toward food self-sufficiency. Through the expansion of irrigated farming, the use of improved seed varieties, and the adoption of modern farming techniques, the country has significantly increased its wheat yield and marketable surplus.

The Ethiopian government said this strategic focus has transformed Ethiopia from a wheat importer to a self-sufficient producer, showcasing the success of its agricultural policies, programs, and associated initiatives.

It said a range of initiatives have played a key role in maximizing the country's agricultural output, including expansion of irrigation-based farming, promotion of climate-resilient agriculture, duty-free import of agricultural machinery, policy and legal reforms, and other national flagship initiatives.

Ethiopia, which aspires to achieve food security and unlock its vast potential to become Africa's breadbasket, has recently announced its ambition to further increase the country's wheat production output to 300 million quintals during the current Ethiopian 2024/2025 fiscal year that started on July 8, 2024. Enditem

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