The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) conducted its national annual assessment and validation of 2025-work plan meeting from 29-31, January 2025 in Asmara at Expo Hall. The meeting was attended by H.E. Arefaine Berhe, the Minister of Agriculture; Ms. Tekia Tesfamichael, President of the National Union of Eritrean Women, MoA senior officials and experts; Director Generals of Regional Agriculture and Land Departments as well as representatives of stakeholders from the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students, National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), FAO, IFAD, AfDB and others.
Following is excerpts of major MoA’s technical bodies’ reports presented during the assessment meeting.
Regional Reports Consolidated by the Agricultural Extension Department (AED)
Soil and water conservation
A consolidated report from the six regions of the country indicated that a total of 53 thousand hectares of on farm and off-farm land was treated with different soil and water conservation measures; and renovation activities was carried out at around six thousand hectares of land. Additionally, over a million cubic meter of check dams were constructed, and around 100 thousand cubic meter renovated. Meanwhile, 24 new micro dams were constructed during the 2024 period, and around 22 new dams are under construction.
Crop Production
According to the consolidated reports, thanks to the satisfactory summer showers and concerted efforts made by farmers and agricultural experts, this year’s cereals’ harvest increased by 138 percent. The total area cultivated with cereals was 414 thousand hectares in which more than half was cultivated with sorghum followed by pearl millet, taff, wheat, finger millet, barley and maize. Meanwhile, oil crops and pulses covered 60 thousand and 38 thousand hectares of land respectively where a slight increment was registered when compared to that of 2023.
Fruits and vegetables
According to the report, over 67 thousand tons of fruits and 182 thousand tons of vegetables were harvested from 4,800 hectares and 14 thousand hectares of land respectively. During the assessment meeting, milk and egg production were found among the sub-sectors that need more improvement. The honey production subsector which consists of around 11,800 beekeepers registered commendable progress when compared to the past five year’s harvest.
Animal and Plant Health
Thanks to the compulsory vaccination programs carried out by the MoA and its development partners, a total of over a million livestock were vaccinated, and subsequently no significant number of cases was registered. When it comes to desert and tree locust control activities, a total are of 770 thousand hectares of land was surveyed in the Northern Red Sea and Gash-barka regions, and control operations was put in place over 34 thousand hectares of land.
Small and Productive Farm Plot (SPFP)
SPFP is a new strategy developed by the MoA and integrates crops like cereals, pulses, oil seeds and vegetable production to benefit rural households who depends on the rains and those who reside in water stressed areas. It is implemented on average 1000 m2 plot of land in three rounds based on agro-ecological zones of the country. Its main objective is to harvest considerable amount of cereals from a small plot of land with the help of row planting, application of compost and improved seed varieties; and application of enough water, when needed. Its additional advantage is that it incorporates vegetables with sweet potato as a permanent plant and crop residue for their livelihood. The first round of SPFP was piloted, for the first time, in four regions of the country that receive summer rains from June – September. Accordingly, more than 12 thousand rural households participated in this first round, and commendable achievement was registered. There were farmers who harvested around 10 quintals of cereals, mainly wheat, from their small plot.
Notational Agricultural Research Institute (NARI)
NARI conducts agricultural research activities in three main stations namely; Halhale, Golij and Shambuko, as well as in sub-stations of Gahtelay, Sheeb, Hagaz, Agordat and Adikeyh. During the assessment meeting, it was highlighted that the institute has made available nine improved wheat varieties and one bean variety ready to be released to farmers through AED following approval of quality assurance from the Regulatory Services Department (RSD). NARI, through its Natural Resources Management Research (NRMR) Division prepared an integrated soil fertility map for Adi-ghebru and conducted soil, water and fertilizers analyses for 573 samples collected from all regions of the country.
NARI also reported that it improved the efficiency of furrow irrigation on potato plots by 67% when compared to the conventional systems. Additionally, NARI’s report indicated that a promising result was registered in developing a low cost and naturally ventilated storage structure for onion. NARI, through its Genetic Resources Research body, also carried out satisfactory germplasm conservation and maintenance activities regenerating 25 sorghum, four common bean, 11 field pea, 17 lentil and 24 grass pea accessions.
Regulatory Services
The Regulatory Services Department (RSD) of the MoA diligently works, through its regional inspectors, to ensure the safety of animal and plant food products before they enter market. RSD also works to ensure proper food processing chain is maintained and cross contamination is avoided. The department reported that around 23 tons of obsolete agro-chemicals were disposed in collaboration with relevant government bodies and around 140 tons of similar chemicals are also waiting for disposal. The seed release committee which is chaired by the RSD also conducted inspection tours on various farmlands to check the quality of basic seeds under multiplication. Similarly, two guidelines were prepared with regards to vegetables’ and potato seed quality assurance.
Within its natural resources inspection activities, RSD reported that it conducted a salinity test inspection in Forto-sawa and Dige irrigated farms, and confirmed no salinity case was reported. The department also reported that it conducted extensive awareness raising meetings and workshops which were attended by around 2700 participants.
Moreover, supporting bodies of the MoA namely: the National Animal and Plant Health Laboratory; Administration and Finance; Planning and Statistics; Public Relations; Agricultural Strategic Information; Legal Services and Internal Audit presented their annual reports.
Recommendations
After thorough discussions, participants of the MoA’s national annual assessment meeting called for enhancing use of the newly constructed dams and evaluating their impacts on agricultural development; empowering and equipping small and medium commercial farmers with solar powered irrigation systems; minimizing post-harvest loses; promoting organic farming; strengthening the rearing of local backyard poultry; renovating slaughter houses and milk collection centers, reinforcing research on livestock breeding, among others.
Awards
During the event, a total of 100 front-line agricultural experts, researchers and inspectors as well as their coordinators were given awards for their outstanding contributions in promoting the SPFP. Moreover, Maekel, Anseba and Debub Regions stood, consecutively, from first to third, and were awarded trophies. Similarly, Berik, Serejeka and Aditekliezan sub-regions were also awarded trophies for their commendable contributions to the success of the SPFP first round at sub-region level.
Closing Remarks
In his closing remarks, Minister Arefaine Berhe commended all MoA HQ organs bodies and regional branches for the improvements in their reporting formats which were clear and measurable. The reports which were prepared and presented by young female and male staff also witnessed smooth transition of tasks to the ministry’s new generation, the Minster added. He also commended the awarded regions for their diligence and hard work in promoting SPFP and called the other regions to strengthen their efforts. The Minister also affirmed that bee keeping using top-bar hives as well as rearing and multiplication of backyard poultry will be pre-requisites for the coming year’s awards. Finally, Minister Arefaine urged all agricultural experts and their coordinators at all levels to collaborate with NUEYS and NUEW to form a bilateral committee to make every Eritrean village engage in SPFP.