Agriculture and Climate Change (Commonwealth Union) _ As part of Ireland’s 2024 St. Patrick’s Day programme, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, embarked on an international development mission to Ethiopia, where he witnessed firsthand the profound impacts of climate change and conflict on local farmers.
During his visit, Minister McConalogue announced a significant allocation of €30 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to address the escalating humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa region.
Last week, Ireland committed €105 million in funding to the WFP for the period 2025 to 2027, underscoring its enduring commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
Reflecting on his meetings with small-holder farmers in Semera, Minister McConalogue highlighted the shared agricultural heritage between Ireland and Ethiopia, emphasizing the pivotal role of farming in both countries’ economies and societies.
He stressed that Ireland’s support for WFP’s anticipatory action measures aims to enhance smallholder farmer resilience and bolster agricultural capacity, echoing Ireland’s own agricultural priorities.
Minister McConalogue expressed grave concern over the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding across the Horn of Africa, exacerbated by conflict, climate change, and soaring inflation rates affecting essential food supplies.
His visit to Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan underscored the urgent need for Ireland to escalate its humanitarian response, with WFP identified as a key partner in saving lives and mitigating suffering.
The €30 million commitment for the Horn of Africa aligns with Ireland’s broader Strategic Partnership Agreement and will be targeted at Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia over the period 2025-2027.
In tandem with Minister McConalogue’s mission, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is actively participating in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day programme, with ministerial representatives engaging with 86 cities in 48 countries worldwide.
Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, visited Finland, Estonia, and Latvia, where she met with agricultural innovators and discussed sustainable land management practices.
Minister of State for Research and Development, Farm Safety, and New Market Development, Martin Heydon, traveled to Germany, where he engaged in discussions with agricultural research institutes and government officials, highlighting Ireland’s robust agricultural ties with Baden-Württemberg.
