@CGIAR – Ethiopian Business Review

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The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of Ethiopia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Precision Development (PxD), a global non-profit organization specializing in digital agricultural advisory services. The agreement is backed by a USD 3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed at accelerating the implementation of Ethiopia’s Digital Agriculture Roadmap (DAR).

The MoU was signed by Dr. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture, and Niriksha Shetty, CEO of PxD, in a move that marks a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward tech-enabled agricultural transformation.

Under the agreement, PxD will lead the establishment and operation of a Project Management Unit (PMU) responsible for the coordinated delivery and oversight of the Digital Agriculture Roadmap. The initiative will be implemented over a two-year period, from December 2025 to February 2027, with PxD serving as the executing agency for the project.

The grant from the Gates Foundation will be channeled directly to PxD, enabling the deployment of targeted digital solutions to support smallholder farmers, enhance data-driven policymaking, and improve agricultural productivity across Ethiopia.

Holland Dairy has launched a milestone product: a premium-quality cheese made exclusively from fresh, locally sourced Ethiopian milk and developed with cutting-edge Dutch cheese-making technology. The new cheese is set to redefine standards for locally made dairy products and position Ethiopia as an emerging player in Africa’s premium cheese market.

The product was unveiled today during a high-level ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa, attended by government officials, agricultural partners, diplomats, media, and senior business leaders from both Ethiopia and the Netherlands. The launch signals Holland Dairy’s continued commitment to local sourcing, farmer empowerment, and international-quality processing — all while staying rooted in Ethiopia’s growing agricultural economy.

Blending the richness of Ethiopian milk with Dutch precision, the new cheese exemplifies the potential of cross-border collaboration in food processing and agribusiness. According to the company, this is more than just a product launch — it’s a strategic investment in Ethiopia’s dairy sector, which has long sought innovations that balance quality with affordability.

“We believe in the power of local,” said Jean-Paul Rieu, Commercial Director at Holland Dairy. “By partnering with more than 4,000 Ethiopian dairy farmers, we ensure the highest milk quality. With advanced Dutch technology, we now transform that milk into a cheese we believe can rival any on the African continent — and beyond.”

Event highlights included a live tasting of the cheese, paired with both local and global culinary elements, and a virtual tour of Holland Dairy’s newly upgraded facilities, offering guests an inside look at the advanced machinery powering Ethiopia’s cheese renaissance. The event also paid tribute to the smallholder farmers and technical experts whose contributions made the innovation possible.

More than a premium offering, the new cheese strengthens the company’s support for Ethiopia’s domestic value chain. By sourcing exclusively from local farmers and processing within the country, Holland Dairy not only reduces reliance on imports but also creates high-value jobs, boosts foreign exchange potential, and enhances food sovereignty.

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The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture has announced sweeping progress in its nationwide soil and water conservation efforts, with more than 21,000 streams rehabilitated and over 3.7 million hectares of land physically developed as part of a broader strategy to combat climate change and bolster agricultural productivity.

The initiative, which has been underway since the start of the fiscal year, is part of a larger plan to develop 4.6 million hectares through integrated watershed management and sustainable land use practices. The campaign, spearheaded under the slogan “Our Soil Resources for Our Prosperity,” has mobilized millions of Ethiopians in a coordinated push toward environmental resilience and food security.

Speaking at a high-level seminar evaluating this year’s progress, Professor Eyasu Elias, State Minister of Natural Resources Development, emphasized that the program is critical in mitigating the effects of climate change while laying the foundation for a production-led green economy.

“Our integrated watershed development works are being carried out across all regions, engaging communities to protect and restore land while enhancing agricultural productivity,” he stated. “This is not just about conservation—it’s about transforming livelihoods and ensuring sustainable growth.”

The campaign has seen unprecedented public participation, with over 19.9 million citizens contributing 30 to 60 days of labor per year in soil terracing, afforestation, and gully rehabilitation. According to Chief Executive of the Natural Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fanose Mekonnen, the collective effort represents an estimated ETB 16 billion in mobilized manpower, showcasing the scale of Ethiopia’s community-driven development model.

In addition to new developments, the ministry has prioritized renovating and upgrading past conservation projects, rehabilitating an additional 589,000 hectares of previously degraded land. Efforts also include monitoring tree nurseries, identifying new afforestation sites, and preparing millions of planting pits to ensure long-term ecological benefits.

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