The State of Eritrea

Ministry of Agriculture Newsletter

A Monthly Newsletter Prepared by the Public Relations Division, Issue No 58, April 2023

Eritrea’s National Agricultural Research Institute:
A Journey and History of 100+ Years in Brief
The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) is
one of the major bodies of the Ministry of Agriculture(MoA) of the State of Eritrea. The establishment andoperation of a strong agricultural research services
were given high priority since Eritrea’s independence
in 1991. Subsequently, a lot of investments were put
in place to establish research stations operating in allagro-ecological zones. The Public Relations Division
has conducted a brief interview with the Head ofNARI, Mr. Tsegay Berhane focusing on the history,achievements and challenges of the institute eversince its establishment.
Question (Q): Let’s start with a brief history ofagricultural research activities in Eritrea.

Mr. Tsegay Berhane

Q: What about the activities, during the war forindependence?

Answer (A): Records reveal that agriculturalresearch in Eritrea began during the Italian period.
In 1910, research stations of coffee, citrus, palm andeucalyptus trees were established in Filfil, Fagena,Keren and Adi-wegri. Later, in 1920s, cotton, in thewestern lowlands; and wheat germplasm, in thehighlands, were introduced.

A: In the mid-1980s the Eritrean People’s Liberation
Front (EPLF) started to implement research programson soil fertility, agronomic practices, crop protection,forestry, rangeland management, livestock and farmmachinery across the liberated areas. The front wasconducting research and training activities along withfarmers. At that time soil and water laboratory was
one of the major pillars in the research undertaking.

During the federation period with Ethiopia (19521962), new research centers were establishedin Sembel, Daero-pawlos, Paradizo and Adiwegri. Then, wheat and barley were selected ashigh priority crops for the highlands. Moreover,documents indicate that some linkages started
with Kenya and International Maize and Wheat
Improvement Center (CIMMYT) mainly with theobjective of material exchange. Research activities
declined during the forced annexation by Ethiopia.
Later, cotton germplasm was introduced from USand Israel in 1976 in Alighider, and a variety “Acala17c” was developed. Green houses and otherresearch facilities were also established in Sembeland Paradizo. Asmara University also establishedresearch centers which focused on cowpea,
chickpea and beans (Embatkala); horticultural cropsand cereals (Halhale); and animal feed (Abardae)

Q: Let’s continue to the new era after independence
A: As a continuation to the earlier researches,
undertaking the new government of Eritrea gave
special focus to the importance human capacity
development. Subsequently, agricultural researchorgans of the MoA went through a number ofstructural transformations to come to its current
status. For instance, agricultural research andextension was its first structure after independence(1993-1997) followed by Agricultural Researchand Human Resources Development in 1997. Thisstructure was operational until 2003. Then after, it
acquired its current name and structure – namely
the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).

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Q: Why do you think that agricultural research isimportant for a nation?
A: Agricultural research is important to any
country because it carries out applied and basic
researches to generate viable technologies to solve
farmers’ problems. For instance, NARI is working
to achieve these objectives through identificationand promotion of high value crop and livestock
commodities in different production systems. Thisis done either on demand and/or institutional
analysis of the small-scale farmers and small andmedium commercial farmers to improve relevance,sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness and impactof the research which is normally conducted in aparticipatory manner.

A: Yes. Conserving and developing a country’s
genetic resources is not only technical work but
also holds strategic and security importance. Hence,
NARI gives special attention to conserving genetic
resources of crops, trees and animals. So far, 6182
accessions of 158 crop types, out of which 4557 fromwithin Eritrea, are collected. The remaining crops
were supplied by external research institutions. In
addition, agro-morphological researches on 1664
crops; and molecular characterization on 256 crops
were carried out. Maintenance and multiplicationof collected and conserved samples are also among
the most important activities. On this basis, 1274
samples of cereals and pulses were maintained; and686 newly collected samples were multiplied forconservation purposes.

Q: How about the current structure and major pillarsof NARI.

Q: What about initiatives taken to conserve animal
genetic resources?

A: Currently, NARI is composed of five technicaldivisions, namely; Crop Improvement; NaturalResources; Livestock Improvement; AgriculturalEngineering as well as Genetic Resources Research.
In addition support units like Administration andFinance; Bio-technology; Planning and Statistics;
Food technology play a significant role.

A: Conserving and improving indigenous animal
genetic resource remain important pillars of theGenetic Resource Research Division. However,this research area is at its infant stage, phenotypiccharacterization was conducted on a total of 158
cattle that are believed to share genetic attributesof the indigenous Barka breed which were collectedfrom Goluj and Tessenay Sub-zones. The process
involved adherence to 40 genetic parameters.
Q: What is, then, the future plan to reinforce thisresearch area?

Q: Mr. Tsegai. Let’s see individual achievementsof these bodies. Could we start with the Genetic
Resources Division for it is the backbone of all kindsof researches?

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A: Strengthening genetic resources conservation
on crops and trees (in-situ and ex-situ); holisticresearch on characteristics of the already collectedcrop samples; establishment of domestic animal
gene bank; and extensive public awareness raising
activities are among the major short and long termplans of the division.

Q:- Reports from the Institute also reveal that you
carry out focused adaptability trials in horticultural
crops. What was the outcome of this trials?
A: With regards to horticultural research, theInstitute focuses on potato, onions, tomatoes,
pepper, garlic and fruits. As of now, 34 vegetableand 36 fruit varieties were identified as promisingcrops to a number of agro-ecological zones of thecountry. In line with this, research is conducted
on important crop pests and diseases. As a result,26 plant diseases, three new pests, and two types
of weeds have been identified; and a number ofeffective pesticides were selected thereof.

Q: Let’s move to crop improvement activities. What
are the major achievements of this research area?
A: The Institute has registered commendable
progress in crop improvement. The main focus of theresearch has been on sorghum, pearl millet, barley,
wheat and maize in field crops; and in pea, lentils,
cow pea and beans in pulses. Moreover, limited crop
improvement programs were carried out in oil-crops
such as sesame; rapeseed, sunflower and cotton.

Q: Natural Resource Management (NRM) Researchis also an important component of NARI, what are
the main achievements in this division?
A: Conducting research on soil, water and fertilizers
are the major mandates of the Natural Resources
Management Division (NRMD). Therefore, until
2021 the NRMD conducted laboratory analyses onmore than 15 thousand soil samples; over 400 watersamples; around 80 fertilizers samples; and on morethan 1300 plant samples. Moreover, two guidelines
for fertilizer application on sorghum and wheat
were made available for users. Furthermore, a soil
profile research was conducted on more than 50
thousand hectares of land; and partial soil suitability
map was drafted. However, rigorous efforts need tobe made with regards to the drafting of National Soil
Suitability Map.

Q:- Could you tell us, in figures, the released cropvarieties?
A: Starting from 1997, 45 varieties of improved cropvarieties namely; wheat (16), barley (6), sorghum(11), pearl millet (6), maize (3), sun flower (1) andtwo varieties of pulses have been realeased fromHalhale, Gahtelay, Sheeb, Akurdet, Shambiko, Hagazand Guluj research stations. Moreover, from 20002021, more than 15 quintals of improved foundation
seed were multiplied. The improved crop varieties
are distributed to farmers through the AgriculturalExtension Department (AED) and play importantroles in increasing production and productivity. They
are also known to be disease and pest resistant.

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Q: In addition to soil, water and fertilizers, what kindof research does the NRMD conduct?
A: The Forestry and Wild Life Research Unit of theNRMD on its part, managed to collect a total of 1819
Kgs of seeds from 39 tree species (22 indigenousand 17 exotic) varieties. Meanwhile, assessment andselection processes were done on 52 tree species and
59 seed provenances, i.e. in the context of proper
forestry management. It is also to be noted thatvarious trees and shrubs were planted for research
purposes in the Central (Merhano), Southern(Debarwa Sub-Zone) and Gash-Barka (Shambuko,Akurdet and Goluj) regions; and further studies arebeing carried out on them. Likewise, similar initiatives
were taken in some areas of Anseba and Northern
Red Sea regions.

NARI’s reports indicate that farmers who madegood care of their farmland were able to secure up
to 450 quintals per-hectare. There are also reportsthat farmers who managed to achieve good andcontinuous harvest up to nine generations. Likewise,Reports from the watershed management unit of more than 2,000 banana seedlings produced throughthis division also indicate that several researches tissue culture were distributed to farmers during thewere carried out on the impact of different types of years 2018-2021. Currently, greater emphasis is being
made on date palm tissue culture propagation. This
physical soil and water conservation measures.
undertaking is at its preliminary state but it is equally
Q: Would you give us a brief explanation on the worth-mentioning that, in the course of the period
overall bio-technological activities of NARI, along 2018-2021, more than 7,800 imported date palm
seedlings were distributed to several farmers andwith their impact and the challenges faced, if any?
institutions in the Northern and Southern Red Sea
regions after the seedlings were properly hardened
MoA nurseries.
Q: What can you tell us about NARI’s initiatives on
livestock research?
A: Livestock production and productivity can beaddressed effectively on the basis of maintaining
standardized nutrition, good health and selected
breeds. That is why all possible research efforts havebeen exerted to ensure comprehensive achievementin these three areas starting immediately afterindependence. Pursuant to the endeavours put up
towards improving livestock feed quality, especiallyconcerning diversification of feed options for dairy
cattle, trials were made on a total of 261 forage seedvarieties, out of which 30 types of grass and 50 typesof legumes; were selected. Meanwhile, six varieties
A: The Bio-technology unit focuses on tissue culture of sweet potato were planted on trial basis with theand molecular biology. Although it is not a long- intent of studying their effectiveness as forage; and,established unit, it has, so far, registered remarkable out of them, 4 were selected.
achievements in terms of producing virus-free potato
seeds and banana seedlings. For instance, in the course With regards to feed block trials, 4 types wereof the years 2016-2021, around 150 quintals of virus- selected to serve as standard options in the highlands,
free potato seeds were produced and distributed to while the numbers of suitable options for the eastern
farmers, and thus raising the average national potato and western lowlands stand at 2 and 3 respectively.
yield to over 160 per-hectare. This figure depicts only Moreover, a machine that mixes and packs these
the average national harvest of that time. Otherwise,4the view of strengthening the agricultural research
since 1997 are establishment of seed cleaning facility
and meteorological sites; installation of irrigation
infrastructure and solar energy; construction ofvarious diversion schemes and dams of limited
water-holding capacity, as well as water wells, among
others. Since 1991, this division has been playing
a leading role in terms of identification of proper
tillage alternatives, constructing of ordinary crop
seed stores, cold stores, livestock shelters etc.
feed blocks was designed and produced locally. The
livestock research division has further managedto formulate preparation of silage using maize andalfalfa. Besides, trial on one kind of calf starter isunderway.
Q: You have mentioned the research conducted onanimal feed, what about the results of research inbreeding?
A: Even though research activities on livestock
breeding is at its infant stage, promising outcome
has been recorded with regard to our initiative inbreeding and multiplication of high performing
sheep varieties both at our site, Halhale, and private
farms. Following close follow up and identificationof some breeds with high tolerance to externalparasites and promising genetic characteristics.
We can also say that the establishment of research
centre for local cattle breeds at the Goluj station has
given encouraging signals to focus on this subject.
In addition, preliminary research was conducted on
various types of diseases and pests in collaboration
with the National Animal and Plant Health Laboratory(NAPHL). Subsequently, necessary drug proposals
were recommended. According to research outcome
from this division, the number of identified prevalentinternal parasites stands at 5, while that of externalparasites is 6.

Q: NARI has also conducted some research on foodtechnology. What kind of achievement has, so far,been registered in this field?
A: Although research activities on food technology
are at their initial stage, value addition trials wereconducted focusing on various recipes of sweet
potato, instant yogurt, pumpkin, flaxseed and various
legumes. However, we shouldn’t forget that this area
is vast and more needs to be done in collaboration
with other relevant institutions and actors.
Thank you Mr. Tsegai

Q: Could you also brief our readers concerning
research activities on agricultural engineering?
A: Agricultural Engineering Research Division is an
essential part of NARI as it serves all the other areasof research. Some of the major accomplishments with

Editor-In-Chief:
Editor-In-Chief: Ermias
Ermias Solomon,
Solomon, Director
Director ofof Public
Public Relations
Relations Division:
Division: Email:Email:- ersohab@gmail.com,
ersohab@gmail.com, Tel:
Tel: +291-1-182225/+291-1-182225/ +2917143877+2917143877
Assisstant
Assisstant Editor-In-Chief:
Editor-In-Chief:Filmawit
Filmawit Measho;
Measho; Translator:
Translator:Medhanie
Medhanie Tsegai
TsegaiPhoto
Photo Credit:
Credit: Aradom
Aradom Bereket,
Bereket, Habteab
Habteab Andemariam,Andemariam, Abraham
Abraham Berhane,
Berhane, TomasTomas Mehari
Mehari5