Addis Ababa, Dec. 11(ENA)--Vice Minister of Agriculture said Ethiopia believes that the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) would improve the African economy in general and the agriculture sector in particular.

Opening a daylong workshop on the implementation of NEPAD, Belay Ejigu said the the new initiative would support African Agriculture to be more productive by addressing the challenges of climate uncertainty through the development of irrigation and water harvesting schemes.

Belay said the situation in Ethiopia shows that the country would get more support from NEPAD while endeavoring to ensure speedy economic growth and sustainable development.

On the occasion, FAO representative George K. Mburathi said NEPAD aims at promoting integrated growth and sustainable development, eradicate poverty and stop the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process.

Mburathi said NEPAD, which is a holistic, comprehensive and integrated strategy, is an African Union (AU) program initiated by African leaders to bring about socio-economic growth in the continent.

State minister for Finance and Economic Development Mekonnen Manyazewal said on this part said NEPAD is different from the previous initiatives as it was designed based on mutual interest of development partners, strong political will and peer review mechanisms among African States.

Mekonnen said the country would benefit from the new initiative since agriculture is one of the topmost agenda of NEPAD.

NEPAD was born in Abuja, Nigeria on 23 October 2001.

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