Addis ababa: Participants of the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) from across the globe are visiting the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center (MARC) in Ethiopia. The summit will take place from July 27-29, 2025, in Addis Ababa, co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy. Participants of the summit are arriving in Addis Ababa to witness Ethiopia's strides in food security.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia is showcasing its achievements in ensuring food security to the international delegates. The Melkassa Agricultural Research Center is playing a vital role in accelerating the nation's aspiration of maintaining food sovereignty. Niguse Dechassa, the Director General of the center, highlighted the center's significance as one of the 22 centers under the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).
Dechassa emphasized the importance of collaboration in reshaping agriculture for a resilient future during the summit. He stated that Ethiopia's agricultural legacy is deeply embedded in its history, culture, and daily lives. At Melkassa, scientists and researchers are focusing on developing climate-smart technologies to boost crop productivity and enhance food security, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Melkassa research center is particularly focused on developing climate-smart technologies for tropical and sub-tropical fruit crops, such as avocado, mango, banana, citrus, as well as warm-season vegetable crops like onions and tomatoes. It also focuses on lowland pulse crops such as common beans, mung beans, and cowpeas. Niguse noted that the presence of international participants reflects a shared commitment to addressing urgent challenges like hunger, climate change, and the creation of equitable food systems.