Ethiopia has set a new global milestone by planting an astonishing 714.7 million tree seedlings in just one day, as part of its ambitious Green Legacy Initiative.
The country’s Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, confirmed the figure during the nationwide planting exercise, which was carried out under the theme “Renewal Through Planting.”
This mass mobilisation forms part of Ethiopia’s broader environmental plan to plant 7.5 billion trees during the current rainy season.
With strong national coordination and widespread participation from communities across all regions, the country has taken another giant step toward its target of 54 billion tree seedlings by next year.
From schoolchildren and farmers to civil servants and community leaders, millions of Ethiopians participated in the coordinated planting drive across various landscapes, urban parks, rural farmlands, deforested areas, and community fields.
The campaign signals a powerful alignment of public will and environmental responsibility.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economy and livelihood, and reforestation is seen as crucial to securing water sources, mitigating soil erosion, and enhancing food systems.
As the seedlings take root, many are expected to improve agricultural land and provide long-term economic value through fruit-bearing trees, shade for crops, and restored ecosystems for rural farmers.
“This success has propelled Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative to new heights, reinforcing the country’s leadership in climate action and sustainable development,” the Ministry stated.
The initiative, first launched in 2019, aims to counter deforestation and the effects of climate change, which have increasingly threatened agriculture and food security across the Horn of Africa.
