The domestication of pulses and oilseeds in East Africa dates back thousands of years, with Ethiopia standing at the heart of this history. For generations, the country has been a producer and supplier of these crops—essential staples that have nourished humanity across continents. Pulses and oilseeds are not merely agricultural commodities; they are deeply woven into the cultural and culinary fabric of societies around the world.
Among them, sesame holds a particularly special place. It is valued not only as a nutrient-rich food but also as a key ingredient in traditional dishes across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Ethiopian sesame, in particular, is prized for its distinctive aroma, flavor, and purity—qualities that make it a preferred choice in global markets.
The timing of Ethiopia’s harvests offers another advantage. The country’s pulses and oilseeds often reach international markets in their freshest form during major global New Year festivals, adding not just nutritional but also cultural significance to their consumption.
Equally important is Ethiopia’s production method. Much of the country’s pulse and oilseed cultivation still relies on natural, low-input farming systems that preserve ecological balance. These traditional practices, based on the natural cycles of soil fertility and energy transformation, align with modern principles of sustainable agriculture. They reduce the need for chemical inputs, support biodiversity, and help mitigate environmental degradation.
Ethiopia’s diverse agro-ecology allows millions of smallholder farmers to participate in cultivation, creating significant employment and supporting rural livelihoods. This diversity also enables the development of a wide range of value-added food products—driving entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
As the global conversation on food systems increasingly centers on health and sustainability, Ethiopia’s crops are gaining new attention. Pulses are rich in plant-based proteins, while oilseeds like sesame contain natural antioxidants—both of which align with the growing consumer demand for nutritious, eco-friendly food options.
The world’s emerging consensus on transforming food systems offers Ethiopia a unique opportunity. As nations move away from monocultures of maize and wheat toward more diverse, climate-resilient grains and legumes, Ethiopian exporters stand to benefit. Encouraging this diversity can strengthen local economies, create jobs, and enhance global food security—all while reducing dependence on a narrow band of commercial crops.
Ethiopia’s ancient grains and oilseeds, cultivated for millennia, may well hold lessons for the future of sustainable agriculture, if supported with the right infrastructure, market access, and policy frameworks.
As the world embraces the global initiative for food system transformation, the pulse and oilseed sector stands out as a model for sustainable production and responsible business. Rooted in traditional, eco-friendly farming methods, the country’s production systems demonstrate how agriculture can simultaneously nourish people, sustain the environment, and address pressing public health concerns—particularly those linked to diet-related diseases such as high cholesterol.
Ethiopia’s pulses and oilseeds are thus positioned for exceptional growth. Supportive government policies, combined with a global shift toward healthier and more sustainable diets, have created strong demand and new opportunities for farmers, exporters, entrepreneurs, and investors across the value chain.
This transformative shift—anchored in the integration of business with sustainability—is being advanced through collaborative efforts. The government continues to craft forward-looking policy frameworks, while private-sector actors such as the Ethiopian Pulses and Oilseeds Exporters Association (EPOSEA) play a leading role in market coordination and advocacy. Development partners, including the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Germany’s GIZ, are working to strengthen sector capacity, promote market diversification, and align Ethiopia’s production systems with global food system transformation goals.
Among the key areas of progress are improved market intelligence, the diversification of export products, and greater knowledge exchange through international partnerships. These collective efforts are paving the way for a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable industry.
A major milestone in this ongoing journey is the upcoming 14th International Conference on Pulses and Oilseeds (ICOPOS 2025)—to be hosted in Ethiopia. The annual conference serves as a vital platform for global stakeholders to exchange insights, assess market trends, and benchmark Ethiopia’s harvest season within the wider international trade cycle. This year’s theme, “Strengthening Value Chains: Expanding Global Markets,” reflects both the opportunities emerging from global food system transformation and the intrinsic strengths of Ethiopia’s pulse and oilseed sector.
ICOPOS 2025 is not just a meeting of experts—it is a statement of intent. It signals Ethiopia’s commitment to leading by example, integrating sustainability with commerce, and contributing meaningfully to a healthier, more equitable global food future.
Zelalem Zemede is the general manager of the Ethiopian Pulses and Oilseeds Exporters Association (EPOSEA).
Contributed by Zelalem Zemede
