Addis Ababa: Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh highlighted the government's commitment to unlock the country's agriculture potential by modernizing the sector and boost investment. National Investment Forum kicked off today in Addis Ababa under the theme "Tapping Ethiopia's Investment Potential." In his opening remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister said in order to modernize agriculture in Ethiopia and build a sustainable system, it is important to boost agricultural investment in the country, adding that Ethiopia is a country with natural resources and suitable agricultural ecosystems. The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that Ethiopia is endowed with conducive environment to diversified farming systems and investors in agriculture in the country. He noted that the government has taken several initiatives in recent years to modernize agriculture and ensure food security highlighting the importance of investment in the agricultural sector for sustainable economic growth. Stressing the need to transform the traditional agricultural sector to the modern one, he pointed out that work is being done to develop irrigation and utilize modern agricultural equipment. He stated that Ethiopia's green legacy initiative, that has been under implementation in the past years, has been playing a major role in improving soil fertility, which has contributed significantly to agricultural efficiency and environmental protection. For his part, Minister of Agriculture Girma Amenti stated that effective work is being done to liberate our farmers and herders from backward agriculture and build climate-resilient agriculture, adding that the forum will lay a solid foundation for developing the country's agricultural system.He expressed the government's readiness to work with investors in agricultural innovation, investing in soil health, fertilizer production, and livestock development. The minister further noted that the ministry is making efforts to provide adequate resources and financial support to farmers. The Chief Econom ist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Maximo Torero, who attended the forum, made a presentation focusing on food security and food systems. On his presentation, the Chief Economist commended Ethiopia for its remarkable achievements in the agricultural sector to ensure food security. He pledged that FAO will continue to support and enhance its cooperation with Ethiopia noting that investment plays an important role in strengthening the agricultural system in the country. The two-day agricultural investment forum is said to create an opportunity for investors to gain adequate understanding of the country's agricultural investment opportunities, efforts being made in the irrigated wheat initiative, soil health, animal agriculture and fodder. Source : Ethiopian News Agency