Addis Ababa: Over 43,000 hectares of land in the Oromia region are being cultivated and developed to establish a grain reserve capable of storing 1.7 million quintals. The cultivation has taken place during the autumn and summer seasons to yield 1.7 million quintals of produce. The encouraging activities being underway in various initiatives including summer wheat irrigation, bounty of basket and green legacy aim at enhancing the national efforts to ensure food security. Liberating Ethiopia from aid dependency and achieving household food security are paramount national priorities. In response, the government is undertaking comprehensive reforms, including policy overhauls, to reduce dependency on external aid and build self-reliance. Regions have been mandated to leverage their resources and establish grain reserves as a preparedness measure against both natural and human-induced disasters. In Oromia, the traditional concept of mutual aid has been formalized into the institutional framework known as "B usa Gonofa Oromia." Legally recognized, this initiative is actively engaged in providing humanitarian assistance by own capacity. Moges Edea, Head of Busa Gonofa Oromia, told ENA that the organization has engaged in extensive consultations with various community groups across the region. 'There is a shared commitment to shift away from aid dependency mindset towards a more collective approach to development,' he added. He emphasized that to address potential humanitarian crises, Busa Gonofa Oromia has initiated efforts to support vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and disabled, in the face of natural and man-made disasters. A significant component of the organization's work involves agricultural development that over 43,581 hectares of land are being cultivated in Oromia to establish a strategic grain reserve. All districts have been tasked with contributing to this effort. According the head, of the 15,000 hectares already cultivated, 4,000 have been seeded. To maximize yield, irrigation i s being employed across the remaining area and the ultimate goal is to store over 1.7 million quintals of grain, increasing the existing reserve from 100,000 to 1.8 million quintals. To facilitate efficient grain storage and distribution, Busa Gonofa Oromia is constructing warehouses in 21 zones and eight cities, he said, adding that the organization aims to expand its membership from 24.4 million to 30 million and raise over 28 billion birr in 2024 through member contributions and other sources. Since its legal establishment two years ago, Busa Gonofa Oromia has implemented numerous programs benefiting the community Source : Ethiopian News Agency