ATI Socializes Agribusiness Companies Proclamation with Southwest Ethiopia Regional Leaders 

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), held the first awareness-raising session on the recently approved Agribusiness Companies Proclamation for leaders of the Southwest Ethiopia Regional State. The event took place on 31 October 2026 in Bonga. 

Opening the session, H.E. Mr. Fikre Aman, President of the Southwest Ethiopia Regional State, highlighted the potential of agricultural business companies to help smallholder farmers move beyond primary production and supply value-added products to domestic and international markets. He noted that the initiative would strengthen farmers’ participation in agricultural value chains, create employment opportunities and contribute to national economic growth. He also underscored the responsibility of regional leaders in ensuring the effective implementation of the Proclamation. 

ATI Director General Dr. Mandefro Nigussie outlined the Proclamation’s key priorities, emphasizing its role in expanding agricultural trade and investment and supporting farmers and pastoralists transitioning towards medium-scale production. He noted that the framework would enable them to play a stronger role in agricultural value chains while boosting production, productivity and employment. 

Dr. Reta Wagary, Acting Senior Director of Agricultural Policy and CEO Office at ATI, and his colleagues provided a detailed briefing on the Proclamation, followed by discussions with regional leaders. Participants were urged to work collaboratively to translate the new legal framework into practical action. 

Meanwhile,   ATI conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy for agricultural professionals in the region from 30–31 October 2026. During the training, participants worked in groups to develop action plans for cascading the policy to agricultural professionals at all administrative levels, down to the kebele level. Discussions also focused on the implementation of the proposed plans and subsequent activities. 

H.E. Mr. Masresha Belachew, Deputy President of the Regional State and Head of the Regional Agriculture Bureau, said the policy would help unlock the region’s considerable natural resource potential. He urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained through the training to the kebele level and actively support its implementation. 

The training was facilitated by Dr. Reta Wagary, Acting Senior Director of Agricultural Policy at ATI,and his team, with contributions from Dr. Fisseha Zegeye, Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Dr. Million Sileshi, Policy Advisor at ATI. Other experts also supported the facilitation and group exercises. 

The training concluded with discussions on participants’ questions and proposed action plans, followed by guidance on the next steps for implementation.