Southern region: Micro-dams and reservoirs promoting vegetable farming

The construction of 107 micro-dams and 254 water reservoirs in Southern region over the past 20 years enabled farmers to promote irrigation farming and obtain harvest three times a year, according to Mr. Bahta Tedros, head of the Agriculture Ministry’s branch in the region.

Mendefera, 24 March 2011 – The construction of 107 micro-dams and 254 water reservoirs in Southern region over the past 20 years enabled farmers to promote irrigation farming and obtain harvest three times a year, according to Mr. Bahta Tedros, head of the Agriculture Ministry’s branch in the region.

He pointed out that soil and water conservation activities continue to gain momentum through popular campaign which made significant contribution in preventing soil erosion and ensuring bio-diversity.

Mr. Bahta further explained that about 9,150 hectares of vegetables and 1,064 hectares of fruits have been cultivated in the sites below the micro-dams, and that a total of 1.5 million quintals of fruits and vegetables was harvested last year. He indicated that Adi-Seldait, Zawul, Adi-Kelkelti, Qaqbida, Adi’gbai, Temajla, Hawatsu, Ma’ereba, Adi-Yakulu and Adebzage are exemplary villages that managed to get harvest three times a year.

Noting that drip irrigation system has so far been introduced in Sememo, Dirko, Adi-Bahro and Geza-Keren, Mr. Bahta said that there are plans to widely introduce the system in a number of micro-dams.

The construction of micro-dams and water reservoirs has a vital role to play in ensuring the provision of potable water supply to the inhabitants along with their livestock, and that about 315 hectares below the micro-dams have been cultivated for animal feed.