The State of Eritrea

Ministry of Agriculture Newsletter

A Monthly Newsletter Prepared by the Public Relations Division, Issue No 61, July 2023

Eritrea’s Agricultural Progress in Different
Sub-Sectors
Agricultural Extension Department (AED) whichis the major technical department at the Ministryof Agriculture (MoA), surveys the implementationof Agricultural projects across the country incollaboration with all regional administrations. This
department underwent numerous structural reforms
since the establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture
and currently carries out extensive activities in threedivisions namely; Natural Resources and Irrigation
Development Division (NRIDD), Crop and Livestock
Development Division (CLDD) as well as Animal
and Plants Health Division (APHD). Fre-Tsari- a
magazine of the Ministry of Agriculture – conducted
an extensive interview with Mr. Semere Amlesom,
Director General of the Department, with regard to
the major accomplishments registered in the last 32
years. An excerpt of the interview follows:

Mr. Semere Amlesom

A: Eritrea has a total of about 2.1 million hectaresof cultivable farm land. The 1.2 million hectares
are conducive for rain-fed agriculture and the 600
thousand hectares are favorable for irrigation. Also
there has been variation in figure due to various
conditions, statistical data since 2021 indicated thataround 500,000 hectares, which constitutes 24% of thepotential farm areas, have annually been cultivated.
The 93% of the total figure are farm lands that havebeen cultivated alongside soil and water conservation
activities while the 7% has been cultivated throughirrigation systems. There has been an increase of 54%
when the total area cultivated in 1992 is compared tothat of farm land cultivated in 2021.

Question (Q): Mr. Semere! Let’s begin with thebackground of the Agricultural Extension Department?
Answer (A): The Department of Agricultural Extension
has been undergoing numerous structural reforms
since the wake of independence. It was established as
Land Resources and Crops Development Department
in 1994 until it was reformed anew in 2003 as the
Department of Agricultural Development in linewith the overall structural reform of the Ministry ofAgriculture. Its mandates were also restructured as
per the new changes encompassing animal resources
and animal health related tasks. It was finally revisedin 2011 to have the current structure which includes
comprehensive Agricultural Commodities. In addition
to the three technical divisions, the department has
supportive units like Planning and Statistics; andAgricultural Input Supply (the latter was moved to the
Administration and Finance in 2023). Each division
has its own units; Natural Resources and Irrigation
Development as well as Animal and Plant Health
Divisions respectively have three units while Crops
and Livestock Development Division has 11 units.

Q: Let’s have a look at the activities of the Divisions
starting with the Natural Resources and Irrigation
Development?
A: As its name indicates, the mandate of NRIDD, isconservation and development of land resources.
Based on the policy and strategy of the Ministryof Agriculture, this division works in redressing
farm lands and water catchment areas that weredepreciated due to various reasons and thereby toadvance the agriculture sector through modern andmechanized irrigation system that is anchored on soil
and water conservation activities. It is in line withthis vision that the government and people of Eritrea
have been carrying out soil and water conservation
activities since independence.

Q: What is the overall size of arable farm land of
the country, before proceeding to the progress ofAgricultural Developments?

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A: The country has registered visible achievementsin the construction of water reservoirs. The total
number of big and small dams which was 138 in thewake of independence rose to 785 in 2021. The total
amount of water impounded in water reservoirs
structures is now about 300 million cubic meters.
This is an indication that concerted efforts is beingexerted by the government.

Of the 65,000 hectares that used to be cultivatedthrough irrigations systems, only 30,000 hectares arein good shape. Except the 5,300 hectares in Sheb,
Northern Red Sea Region which is cultivated by spate
irrigation, the rest is not cultivated at this time due
to damage of irrigation systems and other technicalissues in the other regions of the country. Since wehave gained valuable experiences from machineryand technology assisted irrigation activities, we aremaking effective preparations to revive it to the bestlevel.

Q: What about the developments in the introduction
and usage of irrigation systems and new agricultural
technologies?

Q: Let’s move to crops development and the ratio of
distribution of pulses, cereal and oil crops that havebeen cultivated?

Q: What are the advancements in the construction ofwater reservoirs?

A: The five years strategic plan we have aims atreaching 50% of cereal crops 25% of pulses and 25%of oil crops by 2024. At this time, until rainy seasonof 2022, the ratio is cereal 83% and 8% pulses while
oil crop 9% of the total. There is much to be done toachieve the set out goal.

A: 65,000 hectares of the 600,000 hectares of thepotential farm land has been cultivated throughmodern and traditional irrigation systems in thelast 31 years. The 37 thousand hectares are throughsurface irrigation, 23,000 hectares through canalirrigation system, 1,500 through drip irrigation andthe 2,800 hectares through sprinkler irrigation
systems. Concerted actions have been taken to
promote and increase irrigation systems in the postindependence period. Hence, irrigation throughcanal systems has been raised to 23,000 hectares
which resulted to an increase in the supply of fruits
and vegetables to markets throughout the year. The
introduction of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems
to conserve water and boost agricultural produce
has been quite encouraging. Significant experiences
have been gained in the introduction of renewableenergy for irrigation activities which were aimed atenvironmental protection and a decrease in energy
consumption.

Q: Distribution of improved crop seed and fruits has
been among priorities of the department; could you
please tell us about the achievement gained in thisarea?
A: The introduction and promotion of select seed isthe mandate of the National Agricultural ResearchInstitute (NARI). Among the varieties of seeds thathave been developed in the institution, 14 improved
seeds of cereal crops such as six varieties of wheat,
three varieties of barley, one variety of maize andsorghum and three varieties of millet have been
distributed through AED to farmers. In the rain-fed
farms, the improved varieties have now boosted
produce of Sorghum from 8 quintals in a hectare to2

20 quintals, Millet from 6 to 15 quintals per hectare,
wheat from 12 to 25 quintals, and barley from 8 to 17
quintals per hectare as compared to the productionof such crops with that of the pre-independence
period.
Q: How is the progress in fruits and vegetables farms
in the early independence period comparing withthat of the current status? What are the priority areasof AED’s in the promotion of these commodities?
A: The total farm area for vegetables farm in 1991
covered 4,731 hectares and that of fruits was 192
hectares. This figure has increased by four folds to
18,000 hectares in vegetables and that of fruits
increased to 5,000 hectares showing a total growthof 26 folds. In the period between 1992 and 2022
vegetable production has increased by six fold while
fruits increased by 71 fold.

The Ministry of Agriculture conducted successful
pilot projects of potato cultivation in 2021 in theGash-Barka and Northern Red Sea region in thecold season from November to February in a bid toensure supply of ware potato throughout the year.
The pilot projects were carried out in nine sub-zonesof the Gash-Barka region in about 36.8 hectares offarm land, in two sub-zones of the Northern Red Sea
region in 2.7 hectares while in 6.8 hectares in theSouthern Red Sea region. Commendable produce
was obtained from a total of 900 quintals of improved
seed of potato were cultivated in 46.3 hectares acrossthe regions. The produces per hectare, in Shamboko
sub-zone is 276 quintals, in Ghinda’e 74 quintals, and
170 quintals in Afambo. Such results indicate thatthe lowland areas of the country will play significant
roles in increasing potato production

In line with the efforts to boost production offruits, around 423,000 seedlings of three types oftemperate fruits such as: apple, peach and olive
trees have been imported and distributes to farmers
in temperate areas. Mushroom production started
in a smaller amount as of 2015 in collaboration with
the Eritrean Women Agribusiness Association. This
association has distributed 25 quintals of mushroom
to markets. We are now working to further expand
the production of mushroom.
Q: Cultivation of potato is at the top in vegetables
farm and what are the gains registered so far?

Q: What is the situation of livestock resources?
A: Eritrea is self-sufficient in the supply of livestock.
A survey carried out in 1997 shows that the numberof cattle to be 1.9 million, the number of sheep andgoats 6.8 million while the number of camels was
300,000. There has been an increase of 1% each year
and thus a reasonable estimate in the carried numberof cattle would be 2.4 million, the number of sheep
and goats 8.6 million and that of camel 400,000.

A: Cultivation of potato is, indeed, among the top
achievements gained in the vegetables farm. Potato
used to be cultivated in the highland areas of thecountry only. As per the data from the National
Potato Conference conducted in 2022, production ofpotato has reached to an average of 160 quintals per
hectare while there have been farmers who registeredhigher production. Production has increased by 50%
compared to 1991.

A comprehensive assessment of the number oflivestock would be carried out in collaboration
with all regional administration to understand theexact number of livestock resources. In a bid toaugment the supply of alternative supply of meat,
the Ministry Agriculture has in 2015 and 2017
imported 220 rabbits, increased their number to
6,000 and distributed to beneficiaries. Around 180
farmers are now breeding rabbits at a small scale.
Breeding activities on selected pigs and horse breeds
have already been in process and since remarkableprogress has been gained, efforts are under way to
speed up the program.

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Q: How about the progress in dairy and its product aswell as the interventions taken to boost production?
A: It is hard to quantify the amount of milk producedin the country. Traditionally milk has been supplied
from households and in remote villages of the country.
So, we will only focus on intensively kept dairy. The
number of dairy cows was around 13,000 in 1991 andthis figure increased to more than 20,000 in 2021/22.
The amount of milk from Holstein Friesian and crossbreeds was 8.5 million liters as opposed to above 18.4
million liters at this time. An average amount of milk
from a Holstein Friesian was 12-15 liters per day in
300 milking days; the amount from the cross breeds
was 8-12 in 300 milking days with 6-8 liters of milk in
210 milking days have been gained from indigenous
Barka species. Collectively there has been a growthof 20 - 30% in milk production while more needs to bedone to boost production to the best level.

of poor quality yoghurt stopped. Production of
dairy products such as; cheese and butter have also
increased. Three milk collection and cooling structures
established in Anseba and Southern regions havebeen dispensed to associations of dairy farmers andthe facilities are currently providing effective services.
Q: What are the actions taken to motivate farmers tobe beneficiaries of artificial insemination?

A: Artificial insemination activities were introducedin the 1930s during the Italian period. It was totally
destroyed during the consecutive colonial times. In the
post-independence period from 1991-2009, around
326 dairy cows were inseminated annually. There havebeen ups and downs and it was suspended until 2015.
In the period between 2015 and 2020, however, anaverage of 485 cows were inseminated annually with
the importation of semen and preservative equipment.
With an increase in human resource and awareness
Extensive efforts have been made to augment animal raising campaigns, artificial insemination activities
feed. In 1992 only 67 hectares were cultivated for have raised to 1,600 per year in 2021-2022. There has
animal feed. This figure was dramatically changed been redoubled increase in artificial insemination aswith more production of animal feed that rose compared to the 406 in 1992 to over 1,600 in 2021.
to around 2,000 hectares in 2021 resulting to the Efforts have been made to ensure greater number of
produce of more than 77 tons per hectare of animal female breeds and programs have been mapped out
feed. Since 1998, the Ministry of Agriculture has to expand the services across the country.
been assisting farmers in dairy farm through the
distribution of churners, milk testing equipment andother milking equipment along with accessories in theform of donation and loans to associations of dairy
farmers and individual farmers. Milking machines andstainless steel containers were also distributed.
Much has been achieved in dairy processing activities.
There were four dairy processing plants in 1991 andthis number increased to 18 at this time. Most of theplants have been engaged in the production of yoghurt
and beneficiaries in cities have been gaining access toquality and healthy products and thus importation

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Q: How is the status of poultry activities and theprogress so far made in the field?
A: Serious tasks have been accomplished in this field.
There were hardly any poultry activities in the preindependence period except holding chicken at ahousehold level in the rural populations. Consideringsuch conditions, the Ministry of Agriculture imported
improved varieties of chicken and distributed tofarmers in the early years of independence. Around
113,000 parent stocks and over seven million one
month old chickens were distributed in the last 32
years. The distribution of chicken was increasing
annually in terms of number and distribution. In 1992,
for instance, 20,000 chickens were distributed tobeneficiaries but this number rose to over 880,000 in
2020-21 growing to 44 fold.
Q: Coming to beekeeping, how is the distribution ofbee hives and improvement in honey production?
A: The number of bee colonies was estimated to bearound 19,000 in 1991. Through a steady progress, thenumber of bee colonies has raised to 30,000 in 2021.
Even though the progress being made is not so big,
yet it has paved a venue for modern apiculture in the
Eritrean society. Around 65,000 of the bee colonies
are managed in modern hives. Honey production ismostly determined by the condition and distributionof flowers. Although honey production has been
fluctuating due to climate change and drought, honeyproduction has increased by 46% when compared tothat of 1991. The price of honey per kilo has declined
from 600 Nakfa to below 200 Nakfa due to an increasein production. Efforts are being made to transformand modernize beekeeping with the introduction of
Top bar hive, which is easy to make and manage.
Q: What are the major activities carried out intransforming livelihood of households, and particularly
the livelihood of women?

A: Relative progress has been made through various
activities carried out to improve living standards ofwomen and particularly the livelihood of womenheaded households. The support includes distributionof livestock, training on handcrafts, provision of
improved seed and water pump motors among others.
The most important of all was distribution of
improved energy saving stoves ‘Adhanet’ aimed at
reducing pollution which has direct effect on thehealth of women and in prevention of deforestation
for firewood. Around 170,000 stoves have been
distributed across the country and 17,000 women
were trained on how to make improved stoves andthe trainees on their part trained other women.
Q: Animal and plant Health are major issues. Let’s
start with animal health problems in the country andmitigation actions taken to prevent and control suchdiseases?
A: Animal diseases that were prevalent in the preindependence period and post-independence period
include, Rinderpest, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Anthrax,
Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Lumpy Skin diseasein cattle (LSD), Sheep and Goat Pox, Foot and Mouth
Disease(FMD).
Actions taken to prevent and control such diseases
include compulsory vaccination services, raisingawareness on how to prevent the spread of contagious
diseases and improving effective ways of preventing
brucellosis and tuberculosis, introduction of medicinesand vaccines, and establishment of veterinary clinics
in all sub-regions of the country.
Considering the number of livestock and theirdistribution, the government established veterinary
clinics in all sub-regions of the country. The
establishment of 76 veterinary clinics across thecountry has alleviated casualties of animals to thelowest level. A total of 45 among the overall 76
veterinary facilities are equipped with renewableenergy sources.

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Q: Tell us about animal diseases the country
prevented and eradicated?

reduced from 67 to 32. Since the result of theveterinary services was encouraging, vaccination
programs have been carried out on 2.5 million
livestock annually since 2013. This intervention has
reduced the prevalence of animal diseases to thelowest level.

A: Rinderpest was among the deadly animal disease
that cause dire consequences in livestock resource
negatively affecting the economy of the country
and farmers. Once an outbreak of disease occurs
it reaches to vast areas and kills around 90% of
infected livestock. Considering the huge loses thisdisease causes, concerted actions have been taken
not only to control but to totally eradicate it from theeastern and western Africa in a coordinated manner.
The disease was totally eradicated from Eritrea as
per the set out plan. The prevention and control
intervention of rinderpest started in Eritrea during
the struggle for independence and a comprehensive
vaccination campaign was carried out in 1997.
Continuous surveillances were carried out to ensure
the livestock developed immunity against the disease
and blood samples were collected from calves tocheck its prevalence. A research conducted in 2005
shows that the disease has been eradicated fromthe country. As the result of the relentless efforts,
Eritrea was awarded with a medal and a certificate
from International Animal Health Organization for
the eradication of rinderpest. The total eradication of
the disease from the country has been a great relief
to farmers.

Q: What are the activities carried out in the preventionof plant diseases?
A: Extensive studies were carried out in 1992 toprevent and control the prevalence of plant diseases.
The surveillance was mainly on pests, weeds andvarious types od plant diseases. The Ministry ofAgriculture carried out concerted actions to prevent
pests, delivered awareness raising seminars tofarmers, distributed manual and motorized pesticide
sprayers, and introduced varieties of pests’ prevention
mechanisms. At this time, bio-pesticides have been
introduced and commendable achievement is being
registered.
Q: What about the tasks accomplished in combating
migratory pests and desert locust?
A: Eritrea is among the exemplary countries incontrolling migratory pests. In the last 30 years,
the country controlled infestation of desert locust
in around 520,000 hectares with the collaborationof the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of local
government, active participation of people andmembers of Eritrean Defense Forces.

Q: Could you brief us about vaccination programs
carried out in the country?
A: The Government carried out compulsory
vaccination programs from 1993-1997. Hence theoccurrences of contagious animal diseases were

Outbreak of African Army Worm has been occurring
during the rainy seasons in all regions of the country.
In the last 30 years, infestation of such pests in over
30,000 hectares was effectively controlled.
Pest infestation particularly of quela-quela birds
mainly occurs in the western part of the country in
the Gash-Barka region. Efficient controlling activities
were carried out in over 5,000 hectares over theyears. Moreover, when migratory fall army worm
infestation broke out in in 2018, Eritrea carries out
exemplary and immediate controlling measures.
***

Editor-In-Chief: Ermias Solomon, Director of Public Relations Division: Email:- ersohab@gmail.com, Tel: 182225/ 07143877
Assisstant Editor-In-Chief: Filmawit Measho Translator: Kesete Gebrehiwet
Photo Credit: Aradom Bereket, Habteab Andemariam, Tomas Mehari6