September 03, 2011 (Gambella) – President of Gambella regional state, Omod Obang Olom downplayed talk of land grabs in the Gambella region.
The president made the remark yesterday during a press conference he held here after concluding his working visit to India which aimed at promoting investment in the region.
“Talk of land grabs in Gambella region is unfounded and is spread by anti-development forces,” Omod said.
The government of Ethiopia consistently rejected claims of land grabs in the country insisting that the land transfer is made on the basis of transparent land lease arrangements for a term of 25 to 40 years.
According to the government there is three million hectares of unutilized land prepared and ready for investors in Ethiopia, of which only 10 percent have been allocated.
“The public should not heed to comments of land grabs and stand on the side of the government to promote the region’s development,” Omod urged.
Over 280 domestic investors and big international companies, engaged mainly in the agriculture sector, including Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Star and India’s Karuturi operate in the region.With a view to further promoting investment in the region, Omod was on a weeklong visit to India.
Omod said his visit will be helpful to strengthen commercial farming in Gambella to ensure more benefits to farmers in the region.
Small scale farmers in the region mainly produce maize and sorghum predominantly used for domestic consumptions.
“We will encourage farmers to produce industrial inputs such as cotton, which will be ideal to improve their earnings,” Omod said.
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