Addis Ababa: Regional Chief Administrators and Federal Ministers have lauded Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative as a major step forward in environmental conservation and food security. The officials also affirmed that the initiative, being underway for the past five years, has been making significant impact on the country's efforts to improve food security and environmental protection. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has issued a call to action, urging citizens to plant 600 million saplings during the nationwide overnight greening program on August 23, 2024. The program, which has seen the planting of over 566 million saplings in a single day last year, is set to be scaled up this year. The premier urged adults and teenagers to demonstrate their love for the country by planting 20 and 10 trees respectively adding that 'Let's ensure our gift to the next generation is placed in the right spot.' Leaders from across the country have expressed their support for the initiative. Sidama Region President Desta Lendamo hailed last year's joint planting program as historic and pledged the region's full participation during this year's overnight tree planting event to plant 600 million saplings on August 23, 2024. Similarly, Tilahun Kebede, President of the Southern Ethiopia Region, expressed confidence in the region's ability to contribute significantly to the national target. Mayor of Dire Dawa Kedir Juhar has also announced an ambitious plan to plant one million saplings overnight within the city limits. He called on residents to join the nationwide greening effort. The initiative has also garnered support from the cabinet. Minister of Agriculture Girma Amente and Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergoge Tesfaye both emphasized the program's role in environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and food security. They urged citizens to actively participate in the upcoming overnight planting event. As the nation gears up for the massive tree-planting campaign, expectations are high that Ethiopia's Green Legac y Initiative will continue to yield positive results for the environment and its people. The officials have said that the initiative has been making significant impact on the country's efforts to improve food security and environmental protection. Ethiopia has actively embarked on extensive tree planting over the past five years, having planted a remarkable number of seedlings so far. Pursuant to the country's ambitious plan of planting 50 billion trees, Ethiopia is anticipated to plant 7.5 billion trees this year, it was indicated. The goal for this year is to reach 40 billion seedlings from the overall target of 50 billion. Ethiopia has so far planted more than 32.5 tree seedlings. Source : Ethiopian News Agency