Ethiopia roped in 108.3 million U.S. dollars from the export of khat, a locally grown ’refreshment’ herb, during the past ten months, Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry officials announced on Monday.
Khat is mainly grown in eastern and southern Ethiopia and is widely believed to reactivate human memory.
However, a number of European countries and the USA government regarded this plant as a drug and banned from any use in their respective countries.
In Ethiopia and the neighboring countries, the plant is legal and is chewed anywhere.
According to the Ethiopian ministry of Trade and Industry, 22,390 tones of khat have been exported over the years mainly to neighboring countries.
“Though the amount of khat exported is less than that of the same period of last year, the foreign currency obtained from the export exceeds 5.5 million dollars,”the ministry added.
Khat ranks 7th among Ethiopia’s export commodities such as coffee, sesame, flower, and other agricultural products.
Source: African Press Agency
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This is the end of weyane.They are becoming TALIBAN.What happened to all that lecture of Economic growth and Development? Instead of banning chat(a drug),they are incouraging people to produce it.As long as weyane pocket is full,who cares about ethiopia .
August 26th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Yes Woyanne can earn money from the exportation of khat, however that will only be possible if there is any left from the unemployeed youth in every city of Ethiopia and the TPLF officials themselves!
August 26th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Quote: "However, a number of European countries and the USA government regarded this plant as a drug and banned from any use in their respective countries."
1) Why is Khat legal for the first time, including for export during Woyane Regime?
2) Why after extensive reports from Labs in US and Europe, that Khat causes physiological and Psychological long term problems Ethiopia still not make it illegal? Are Ethiopians not worth protecting like the people of US/Europe? This is serious.
3) If Woyane truly believes Khat is NOT bad, but Khat is good enough to export, WHY DID WOYANE MAKE KHAT ILLEGAL IN TIGRAY ONLY?!?!?
Food 4 Thought
Peace!
August 26th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
abo lemene chat DC ayemetam
August 26th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Food 4 thought, thank you,
Yes! There is an extensive research on Kat (chate) in European and USA labs. The result is shocking; it has a devastating effect on human brain. After a few years of chewing Kat, you simply become an idiot and worthless creature.
Woyanne are not interested on the people of Ethiopia, their interest is to loot its wealth and create the Great Tigray Empire, a dream of a little boy in a jungle. So, they don’t give a damn if the population of Ethiopia becomes idiot or not.
The recent famine shows Ethiopia as a failed state. And the famine is not only in the south, it is spreading to the northern part of Ethiopia too,( Wollo, Afar, etc.).And after this one, unless we changed the misguided policy of land, the next famine will be a matter of time. YES! THE NEXT FAMINE WILL BE A MATTER OF TIME.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:25 am
how about alchol, smoking and even coffee is more harmfull to human organs or brain than qaat. qaat never change you and damage you as alchol,smoking even coffee. why not see in positive ways those qaat users free of crime, look after there family and hilarious get together.while alchol brings huge damage and crime. how mony people die every day from smoking????????????alchol?????????????and even coffee???
August 27th, 2008 at 9:18 am
You psycho oppressor, you hostage this country please stop chewing chat and trading it
August 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Ealis I disagree with the headline
Crime Minister Meles is spending $100 million just for his khat habit so for me it looks like woyane's money is revolving around khat plant
Long live khat kkkkkkkk
August 27th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
How nice for Meles that his major addiction and choice drug is also a cash cow!
August 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm