Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael gives opening remarks at the EPOSPEA conference. To his right is Minister of Trade Kebede Chane, EPOSPEA President Haile Berhe, and Mulu Solomon, president of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce.

Shelby Clark, ACDI/VOCA

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 13, 2013 – The U.S. Government joined with the Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors and Exporters Association (EPOSPEA) and other industry leaders and stakeholders as a major sponsor for the third international conference on pulses, oilseeds and spices, one of the largest segments of the agricultural sector.  More than 250 Ethiopian and international importers, exporters, invited guests and government officials from around the world attended yesterday’s opening of the conference.  

“EPOSPEA is collaborating with USAID to market Ethiopia to international buyers and secure global opportunities to benefit the economy as well as exporters,” said EPOSPEA President Haile Berhe.  “Further, USAID is helping the association implement an oilseed strategy for Ethiopia and Africa – bringing the vision of an African Oilseeds Federation to reality.”

“We have confidence that the Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors and Exporters Association will continue to grow and thrive – culminating in higher quality, improved yields, more export volume and foreign exchange earnings, contributing more to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers,” said USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Dennis Weller.

Developing the sesame and chickpea value chains are an important part of USAID’s Agricultural Growth Program-Agribusiness Market Development, the flagship project under the U.S. President’s Feed the Future initiative in Ethiopia.

Remarks by USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Dennis Weller [PDF, 267 KB]

Press Release EPOSPEA Conference [PDF, 312 KB]

Related Resources

USAID Ethiopia: Agriculture and Food Security

USAID Ethiopia: Feed the Future

USAID Ethiopia: Global Health Initiative

USAID Ethiopia: Nutrition