Addis Fortune (Addis Ababa)
Wudine Zenebe
13 April 2008
Sher — Ethiopia, the largest flower farm in Ethiopia, has revealed its interest to acquire a portion of the former Ethio-Korean farm in Meki town of the Oromia Regional State, 134Km away from Addis Abeba. The company has tabled a request to the Regional State to get hold of a 300ht plot of land from the farm.
"We will reply to the request in next to no time," Alemu Seme, commissioner of the Oromia Investment Commission, told Fortune.
Sher intends to use the farm as a horticulture plantation. If Sher acquires the plot, it will become the largest producer of flowers.
Ethio-Korea farm is 3,000ht. It was first developed through a joint effort by the military Derg regime and the Korean government over 20 years ago. Although canals and other facilities had been installed in the farm for the cultivation of horticulture back then, the project was dropped 17 years ago when the new administration took over power. Part of it is now being cultivated by local farmers.
"The attractive benefits that Sher will provide to farmers close to its project, in addition to its investments, will sway the regional state to give it a positive reply," a senior official of the region told Fortune.
Established on July 1, 2006, Sher has built a primary school and hospital in Ziway at a cost of 30 million Br. The flower farming company was formed by a group of Dutch investors, which is currently working on 500ht of land in Ziway, 163Km east of Addis Abeba. On this vast plot of land, Sher has constructed green houses, drip irrigation facilities and other infrastructure and is leasing it out. The farm is being utilised by some horticulture cultivating companies, but is dominated by those that produce cut flowers.
The farm originally was occupied by Zeway Agricultural Development before it was transferred to Sher in two phases. Sher now intends to add Ethio Korea farm to its investments.
A general manager of one of the state farms told Fortune that Ethio-Korea Farm is situated in an ideal place for horticultural development as it lies next to the Awash River.
The government has given due attention to the horticulture sector of late. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has identified four corridors for the cultivation of horticulture: Rift valley, Dire Dawa, Dedessa Valley and Tana Beles. State farms included, these areas collectively sum up to 400,000ht of land.
The Ministry has advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Privatization and Public Enterprises Supervisory Agency and Ethiopian Investment Agency to make the details of these sites available to potential investors.
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