The Government of Eritrea is committed to bringing about rapid and sustainable development in rural areas. Over the years, the thrust of rural development programs has been on all-round economic and social transformation through a multi-pronged strategy aimed at reaching out to the most disadvantaged sections of the society.
Many rural development programs have been launched to improve people’s living conditions, and this article gives an account of some of the development initiatives in Segeneyti subzone that are making a difference in the lives of people. Segeneyti subzone, one of the 12 subzones in the Southern region, has a population of 41,621 that live in 38 villages spread across 18 local administrative areas. The subzone borders Foro subzone to the east and northeast, Dekemhare subzone to the west, May Ayni subzone to the southwest, and Adi Keih subzone to the south.
Education has always been given priority in development programs because of its pivotal role in driving development and improving people’s living standards by enabling them to engage in economic activities and generate income. To make schools accessible, the Ministry of Education has set standards that determine the maximum distance students have to travel between their home and school. According to the standard, elementary school students should be able to enroll at schools within a five-kilometer radius of their home while junior secondary school students should be able to access schools within a seven-kilometer radius. Many schools have been built in villages over the years. As a result, each of the 18 local administrative areas in Segeneyti subzone today has schools. There are a total of 29 schools in the subzone that give educational services from pre-school to secondary school, and in the current academic year approximately 12,000 students are enrolled at the schools in the subzone.
Like education, healthcare is given priority in the subzone. Mr. Haile Ouqbamichael, representative of MoH’s branch in the subzone, said there are sufficient healthcare facilities that meet the basic needs of the local population. Prior to Eritrea’s independence, many communities, especially those that lived in remote locations, lacked access to basic healthcare services. However, with the establishment of six healthcare facilities following independence, significant progress has been made. Communities in every local administrative area now have access to a healthcare facility within a ten-kilometer radius, and communities that live in remote areas are served by foot medics that make frequent visits.
During the summer season of the eastern lowlands, people migrate to Segeneyti subzone, and this increases the demand for social services, including health and education.
Transportation, another social service, is one of the areas that require attention, Mr. Abdelqadir Haji Ali, administrator of the subzone, said. Harat Transportation Company operates in the Segeneyti – Dekemhare and Dekemhare – Asmara routes, which communities in the subzone benefit from. However, Mr. Abdelqadir said, considering the population density of the subzone, the waiting time for passengers is disproportionately long, and this is causing dissatisfaction. Discussions are underway with relevant authorities in the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to find a lasting solution.
In the past, the quality of telephone service was often compromised by interruptions in electric supply. However, Mr. Abdelqadir said, efforts have been made to address the problem, and the service has now improved. And the coverage of mobile telephone services in the subzone has widened.
When it comes to clean drinking water, there are no complaints. Most of the villages in the sub-zone (28 out of 38) have access to clean water. With the help of the subzone’s administration, which is intent on installing solar energy, the remaining ten villages are actively taking steps to address their water shortages.
The source of clean drinking water for the town of Segeneyti is in Maereba. The water is pumped to a high ground in Segeneyti and then distributed through pipelines spread throughout the town. When occasional shortage of water supply occurs due to interruptions in electric supply or failure in plumbing, water trucks are dispatched to distribute water to the people and businesses of Segeneyti town.
There is shortage of energy supply in the sub-zone. The sub-zone’s administration is working to address the overall shortage of energy. As part of these efforts, Segeneyti town has recently installed solar powered street lights.
The subzone boasts numerous heritage sites and historical settlements that distinguish it from other parts of the country. One notable feature is the presence in abundance of large daero trees (fig vasta).
The villages of Halay and Hiebo in the eastern part of the subzone are also particularly rich in olive trees, conifers, and other native tree species that are currently facing a decline. Efforts are being made by the villagers to protect the remaining trees and replace the destroyed ones with new seedlings. Additionally, there has been a rejuvenation of forests in the southern part of the subzone following the establishment of reserve areas.
In general, large portions of Segeneyti subzone, particularly the eastern part, are characterized by cold weather, with an average annual rainfall ranging between 450 and 500 mm. The subzone experiences two rainy seasons – one rainy season in the highlands and another in the lowlands — and is often covered with mist during the morning and evening hours. The moisture plays a vital role in sustaining the forested areas.
This year, the rainfall in the subzone started well with good distribution but ceased in mid-July. Lack of sufficient rainfall resulted in lower-than-expected harvest.
According to Mr. Abdelqadir, determining the precise impact of the rainfall conditions on productivity may be difficult, but the rains that occurred during the harvest season caused significant damage. This has negatively affected the income of farmers in the subzone.
The subzone is known for its livestock, particularly in cattle breeding. In an effort to encourage farmers to adopt modern breeding practices, the Ministry of Agriculture has distributed cattle to farmers, who then give away the first born calf to another farmer.
Farmers that engage in dairy cattle breeding are organized in cooperatives and are able to bring their dairy products together for sale.
Mr. Abdleqadir said that animal healthcare services are given in the subzone, but he acknowledges the need for improvement to ensure the availability of adequate medicines in the subzone.
Segeneyti subzone provides favorable conditions for raising animals and beekeeping. With access to credit through the subzone’s saving and micro-credit program, residents are making efforts to foster economic growth. Many farmers are investing in beekeeping, cattle breeding, dairy and meat production. With the support of the saving and micro-credit program, as well as other institutions, many farmers have been able to improve their living conditions.