In news conference he gave here on Wednesday, Dr. Abera said the prevalence of adequate and even distribution of rainfall and application of inputs well are the main indicators for the rise in agricultural production.

He said though agricultural production is on the rise since the last couple of years, it is satisfactory compared the country's rapid population growth.

Increasing productivity through the application of modern agricultural equipment and improving soil fertility and using vertisol areas as farmlands would help address the problem, he mentioned.

Profesional support extended to farmers and expansion of private farms have also contributed for the growth of production, he said.

Most crops in lowland areas have already been collected while 50 per cent of that of high land areas have been harvested, the State Minister said.

He said the farming community has been able to ensure its food security by increasing productivity.

Dr. Abera further said the increase in agricultural production would help enhance the export capacity of the country.

The State Minister said Ethiopia had secured an 800 million USD export revenue from the sale of its agricultural products abroad.

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