President Isaias Conducts Inspection Tour Of Agricultural Programs In Gash-Barka And Anseba Regions

Barentu, 24 August 2010 – President Isaias Afwerki conducted inspection tour of agricultural programs in six sub-zones of Gash-Barka and Anseba regions from August 22 to 23. The President visited the sub-zones of Golij, Tessenei and Haikota in Gash-Barka region, as well as the sub-zones of Hagaz, Elabered, and Adi-Tekelezan in Anseba region, during which he observed the condition of crops, agricultural infrastructure facilities, micro-dams and the amount of water they have accumulated, as well as other development activities. He also exchanged views with administrators and experts.

President Isaias inspected agricultural programs being undertaken in Kachero and Gerset, the situation of the Fanko-Rawi, Fanko-Tsumue and Gerset dams, as well as the Gash Bridge around Alebu. Following discussion with pertinent experts as regards the water source facilities put in place and the land under cultivation for better production, he put forth vital views.

The President stressed the need for enhancing such activities in a manner that greatly benefit the general public. Also in views he forwarded, especially regarding the programs being implemented around Gerset and future plans, President Isaias reminded that the water distribution system should be transformed to automatic device so that the project may yield effective outcome, and that the construction of residential houses for the local inhabitants should be undertaken in a way that takes into consideration the provision of social service. Moreover, he observed the construction of 500 foam-made residential houses underway in the area.

Also in the course of the visit to Fanko-Rawi and Fanko-Tsumue dams, President Isaias exchanged views with experts and administrators on the available land below the dams in which preparations are being made to put it under cultivation taking into account the existing good rainy season, as well as ways of further expanding  the task.  He also visited the newly constructed Gash Bridge around Alebu that is already playing major role in relieving the local inhabitants along with their livestock from the transport problem they used to encounter.

The President subsequently headed to Aligidir and observed a micro-dam along with canals under construction at substantial investment through Homib Construction Company. The micro-dam which  has already accumulated satisfactory volume of water is expected to promote irrigation farming on about 4,000 hectares. He also observed the land that was barren in previous years and currently cultivated through coordinated endeavors, as well as a  stone grinding plant set up in the locality, during which he conducted discussion with the Administrator of Gash-Barka, Mr. Mussa Rab’a, and engineers working in these areas on ways of reinforcing the outcome.

Moreover, President Isaias inspected plantations cultivated through integrated farming in Daerotai and the Admai plains, Hagaz sub-zone, that are in good condition, in addition to observing the micro-dams of Derequ, Sharki,  the Elabered Agricultural Project and the Dekemhare micro-dam in Adi-Tekelezan sub-zone.

In the course of observing the farmlands in Daerotai and Admai plains put under integrated farming for the first time, the President lauded the  tasks accomplished, and exchanged views with the Administrator of Anseba region, Mr. Gergis Girmai, on ways of enhancing such activities and promoting public participation in the undertaking. In addition, he visited the micro-dams of Derequ, Sharki and Dekemhare that were constructed to ease potable water supply problem the local inhabitants used to face.

Amidst good rain showers, the President made an inspection tour of Elabered Agricultural Project for 2 hours and observed the tomato paste plant being renovated and expected to begin service shortly, the sorghum and corn farmlands cultivated on about 400 hectares which are in promising condition, as well as micro-dams that have already accumulated sufficient amount of water.