Eritrea: Effort to Enhance Agricultural Sector in Gash Barka Region
It was reported that encouraging efforts were made to strengthen the agricultural sector in the Gash Barka region in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, local governments, agricultural experts and farmers at a meeting held in Barentu on December 21.
Mr. Abubaker Osman, director of the region’s Agriculture and Land Bureau, said that the Gashbarka region is rich in arable land and livestock resources. He stressed that through joint efforts at the government level and the Ministry of Agriculture, the agricultural sector is expanding steadily.
Mr. Abu Bakr emphasized that community-based and farmer-centered preparations will be carried out by 2024. Various training programs were organized, resulting in good harvests and encouraging the development of irrigated agriculture.
He further noted that more than 18,000 hectares of water diversion schemes and terraces have been renovated. About 8,700 cubic meters of dry organic fertilizer and 50,000 liters of liquid fertilizer were distributed and about 1.1 million quintals of vegetables and fruits were supplied to the market.
In addition, to control the spread of locusts, we have sprayed pesticides on approximately 4,800 hectares of land. Nine dams are under construction, five of which have been completed. The total storage capacity of these dams is 1.2 million cubic meters.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Arefaine Berhe, said the ministry was working to develop small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises and coordinate small-scale family farming activities. He called for greater involvement in the implementation of these plans.
The region’s governor, Ambassador Mahmoud Ali Shiroui, said this year’s bumper agricultural harvest was the result of coordinated efforts by agricultural experts, farmers and local governments, coupled with adequate rainfall. He also called for greater efforts to improve the quantity and quality of agriculture.
Participants held extensive discussions on the issues raised at the meeting and adopted various suggestions. These include appropriate attention to the development of green animal feeds, expansion of livestock vaccination programs and sustainable awareness-raising campaigns.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Ministry of Information of Eritrea.
