The State of Eritrea

Ministry of Agriculture Newsletter

A Monthly Newsletter prepared by the Public Relations Division, Issue No 51, September, 2022

Eritrea’s Marine Resources Contribute to Boost Agricultural
Productivity by Producing Liquid Fertilizer‘The Sea - Once Victim of Agro-chemicals becomes a Friend of Agriculture’
Even though, the major challenge of Eritrea’sagriculture is shortage of water; its degraded landalso negatively affects the agricultural productivity.
The country’s soil which, generally, is known to becalcareous alkaline with very low organic matterand agricultural nutrient content needs continuous
amendment to sustain agriculture. For this reason,
Eritrean farmers have been heavily dependent on
the supplemental use of chemical fertilizers mainly
DAP and Urea.
Although the use of chemical fertilizers is known toboost agricultural production, its continuous use
results in serious environmental problems; including
ground water contamination. Chemicals leaching
and running off from farm lands also make their way
in to water bodies; including the sea to cause deathof terrestrial and aquatic organisms.

Mr. Temesgen Gebremeskel
Answer: The Ministry of Marine resources has been
conducting a number of trials if marine by-products
can be used in aquaculture. Fish waste was used
as a source of nutrients in hydroponic farming.
Moreover, studies were being conducted to use fishdiscards and seaweeds as fertilizers. Concurrently,
the Ministry of Agriculture launched a revolutionary
campaign to produce bio-fertilizers and biopesticides. It was during this time (early 2021) thatboth ministries started to merge their initiatives fora better outcome.

A technical committee composed of senior experts
from the Ministries of Agriculture, Marine Resources
and the private sector has been working to solve theabove stated interrelated problems. Mr. Temesgen
Gebremeskel, from Mainefhi College of Science;and representing the Marine resources sector has
briefed this newsletter with regard to producing
liquid fertilizers from the available marine resources.

Question: The marine resources have started
contributing to agricultural productivity. Where isthe connection of these two sectors?

Q: It is known that the saline water bodies areusually victims of agricultural chemicals; and now
you are trying to reverse this scenario.
A: Even though, the sea has been one of the victims,
fortunately it has also got a promising solution tothis problem through its living resources. Foliar
spray liquid fertilizers prepared from underutilized
and discarded fish resources; and coastal seaweeds
have been found to boost plant growth and yield ina number of studies.

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Q: Does the Red Sea have adequate resources to
produce liquid fertlilizers?
A: A study conducted along the Eritrean Red Sea
coast has documented that there are more than
100 macro-algal species along the coast comprisingmembers from the three major taxas; Chlorophyta,Phaeophyta, and Rhodophyta. These seaweeds areoften regarded as waste littering coastal beaches.
Parallel to that, an unpublished data of the Ministryof Marine Resources show that by-catch of fishfrom bottom trawl vessels reaches about 30-50%
of the total catch with pony fishes covering 24% of
the total value. Thus, it is imperative that there areundoubtedly enough underutilized resource which
could be used to produce fish amino acid (FAA)
and seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF). These fertilizers
could be distributed throughout the country, andgradually for export. Furthermore, it is important tonote that this kind of production is also creating job
opportunity to the coastal people to improve theirlivelihood.

We have now prepared a consortia of Indigenous
Effective Microorganisms (IEM) and lactic acidbacteria to speed up the fermentation process.

Q: So far, how much FAA and SLF have been
produced?
A: As of now, around 9,375 litres of FAA and SLF havebeen distributed to all regions except the Southern
Red Sea region; and were applied on different
vegetable plants like potatoes, green pepper, okra,
tomato, onion, and cabbage. Moreover, there
are 2,200 litres of these liquid fertilizers ready fordistribution.

Q: Could you elaborate about how these liquid
fertilizers are made?

Q: How is, then, the result of the application
evaluated?

A: FAA is a liquid fertilizer with high nitrogen content
made by chopping fish discards and leftovers; andthen mixing it with sugar or molasses for proper
fermentation. Similarly, the SLF is made by collecting
sea weed, washing it with fresh water, and finally
mixing it with sugar or molasses to get fermented.

A: The study was conducted on different vegetables
by applying FAA alone, SLF alone, a combined
application and a control. The performance andgrowth of the crops were reported by the regional

Potato farm supplied with FAA and SLF, Anseba Region2

agricultural experts; and were generally satisfactory.
The yield gained in all applications was higher whencompared to the control. When it comes to thedetails, FAA increased yield by 38%; SLF by 25%;
and their combination resulted in yield incrementof 29% in Zoba Maekel at potato farm trials. Trials
in Zoba Debub also showed, on average, a 50%
increment in potato tuber number after application
with these fertilizers. These liquid fertilizers weretested in Gash-barka region on green pepper plots;
and resulted in 20% increment in foliar growth aswell as considerable fruit growth that led to highdemand in the market. The liquid fertilizers madefrom FAA also contributed in increasing the numberof flowers and improving foliar growth after appliedin flower plants at the Maisurwa Flower Production
Plant. Azieb Agro-industry is also one of the farms
which benefited from the liquid fertilizers to boost
its forage production.

levels). Moreover, both the liquid fertilizers have
proven to be effective although FAA has been foundto enhance root growth extraordinarily.

Q: What about the dose of application?

A: The trials conducted so far have revealed thatboth FAA and SLF have great potential in boosting
the growth and yield of the commonly grownhorticultural crops. Both pot culture and fieldtrials have given promising results in improving all
aspects of the plants. These positive results of thetrials were also proven in farmers’ fields. All these
positive feedbacks and high demand for theseorganic fertilizers are now pushing the MoMR andMoA towards up scaling the current potential. TheMoMR is witnessing that this pilot project is also
setting a milestone in job creation and subsequently
improving the livelihood of the coastal rural

Q: How do you communicate these results withother experts and the farming community?
A: We have prepared and distributed a brochure
concerning the application of these liquid fertilizers.
Besides, a number of trainings have been conductedto the regional experts and farmers. However, since
the research conducted is at its early stage, it needs
to be replicated with other ratios in other crops; andat the same time in different parts of the country toprovide a more reliable picture.

Q: What is the future plan of the MoMR andMoA towards mass production of these kinds offertilizers?

A: For the right dose of application of the liquid
fertilizers, a number of trials are being carried out inHalhale, the National Agricultural Research Institute(NARI). The trials are conducted on wheat, potatoand green pepper at different dilution levels.
Preliminary dose trials were also conducted in theMoMR Premises. After proper data analysis, thefollowing preliminary results came out from thestudy. Maximum results have been achieved at 1:20
and 1:30 ratios for SLF and FAA respectively (dilution3

community. Besides, mitigating the risk of coastal
and inland water contamination from excessive use
and misuse of chemical fertilizers are also becoming
other benefits of the project. Hence, the Engineeringand Technical Works Division of the MoMR has
developed a machine that can chop 10 quintals offish per hour. Furthermore, all the needed materials
for fermentation process are now ready. At present,
the facility which has been established in Grar,
Massawa, has the capacity to produce 10,000 litresof FAA and SLW per month.

Q: What do you do to scientifically test andstandardize your products?

for nutrient analysis in collaboration with theSawaina Organic Compost Manufacturing Plant.

A: All the requirements for the production of theliquid fertilizers such as hiring permenant staff,
establishing a standard production line, renovation
activities,
electricalinstallations,provisionof personal protective equipment (PPE), andpreparation of safety guidelines have now been
completed in collaboration with the Regulatory
Services Department of the MoA. Proper packagingand labelling of the products are also underway.
Samples are regularly sent to NARI for nutrient
content and chemical analyses. Moreover, theNational Animal and Plant Health Laborataoty(NAPHL) of the MoA conducts microbial analysis ofthe products. It should also be noted that we havestarted sending samples to the Khartum University

Q: If you are extracting liquid fertilizers from thefish discards and sea weeds, it is obvious that you
have got some by-product or waste. How do you
manage this byproduct?
A: Although organic, like any processing plant, theproduction of the FAA and SLF has some waste which
will normally increase with more production. Thus,
a training on how to convert and reuse the waste
as a compost was given to the relevant MoMR staffby Mr. Fikadu Tesfamichael, a senior compost expert
from the Sawaina Organic Compost Manufacturing
Plant, Sudan. After completion of the training, all
the available waste have been proporley piled up toform a 5 m3 compost pile. The compost produced

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from this waste was sent to NARI for analysis.
Besides, converting the waste into compost has
proven to be the best cure for the smell arising fromthe fish waste.

Q: If you have some thing to forward?
The project is now being implemented by a teamof experts from both Ministries, Mai-Nefhi Collegeof Science, and other institutions. However, for
its sustainability, I urge private entrepreneurs toclosely work with these Ministries, and ultimately
take over this important business. Moreover, interms of research and refining the application rates,
I believe we have a long way to go. Hence, thecommittee invites experts from the academia andother institutions to take part in these revolutionary
initiative.

Azieb Agro-industry PLC
alfalfa. “Thanks to these liquid fertilizers, we havewitnessed a 40% increase in alfalfa yield. Moreover,after application of the fertilizers, the nitrogencontent of the alfalfa plant dramatically improvedand contributed to almost double the milk yield.”
He concluded.

Tseazega Village
After proper orientation, Tseazega village waschosen as a pilot ground for liquid fertilizer trial inaround 7 hectares of land cultivated with improved
wheat variety on the 24th August 2022.

Witnesses from FAA and SLF Beneficiaries
Azieb Agro-industry PLCMs. Askalu Zerubabiel, Tseazega Community
administrator, said, “We were told by the MoA
branch that we would be given sidra - an improved
wheat variety- before some months. Subsequently,
the villagers have been preparing their land startingfrom May. Then, the MoA provided us with the
improved seed; and now with compost and liquid
fertilizers. As you can see, today we are spraying theliquid fertilizers made from our marine resources in
our integrated farmlands of selected communities.”
Ms. Askalu, finally, urged the government to continue
such initiative; and if possible educate them how
to make the liquid fertilizers by themselves for its
extensive application throughout the village andtheir surroundings.

Mr. Abraham MichaelAzieb Agro-industry is a private limited company
located in the Sub-zone of Debarwa, the SouthernZone. The Company was selected to be one of thedemonstration sites to test the efficiency of FAA andSLF.
According to Mr. Abraham Michael, General Managerof the company, these liquid fertilizers were appliedin three hectares of forage land cultivated withMs. Askalu Zerubabiel

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FAA and SLF in Potato farm

Biemnet Negassi is a farmer in Menaharya, Asmara
Sub-zone of the Central Region. He was suppliedwith FAA and SLF to test them on his potato farm,and witnessed that he found them very effective.
He said, “I allocated two plots of land to try theseliquid fertilizers. Finally, I harvested 14 quintals ofpotato from a quintal of potato seed in the plot notsupplied with FAA and SLF. On the contrary I got
17 quintals from similar plot of land supplied withthese fertilizers.”
He further noted that these fertilizers resulted in
extraordinary foliar growth and, the potato plants
reached at flowering stage early when compared withthe control. Finally, I really thank the government
bodies who are distributing these kinds of harmlessas well as in-country produced fertilizers and urge
other farmers to adopt these liquid fertilizers.

Mr. Ghirmay Kiflay

Mr. Ghirmay Kiflay, a resident of the village, told thisnewsletter that they are privileged for being chosen
to pilot FAA and SLF. He said that treating the landwith organic liquid fertilizer is a great surprize forthem; and told that they are eager to see its results
and become model to the whole country.
“Since, we took adequate training and practicalobservation on the results of these fertilizers; weare sure that we will have a bumper harvest with a
combination of the good rain and these fertilizers”
He said.
“If the government continues such trainings andproduction of organic fertilizers, we are ready to get
rid-off the chemical fertilizers which are hazardous
for us and our land.” Mr. Ghirmay concluded.

Mr. Biemnet Negassi

Coastal communities benefiting from see-weed collection
Editor-In-Chief: Ermias Solomon, Director of Public Relations Division: Email:- ersohab@gmail.com, Tel: 182225/ 07143877
Editorial Board: Filmawit Measho, Hara Weldetnsae, Andemeskel Berhe
Photo Credit: Aradom Bereket, Habteab Andemariam, Thomas Mehari, Temesgen Gebrezgabhier, MoMR Archives

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