Southern region: Efforts made in collaboration with stakeholders with a view to ensuring food security described effective

The Administrator of the Southern region, Mr. Efrem Gebrekristos, stated that efforts exerted in collaboration with stakeholders with a view to ensuring food security in the region have become effective.

Mendefera, 7 April 2014 – The Administrator of the Southern region, Mr. Efrem Gebrekristos, stated that efforts exerted in collaboration with stakeholders with a view to ensuring food security in the region have become effective. He made the remark in connection with the visit of a team headed by Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture, and Mr. Perin Saint Ange, Regional Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in the Eastern and Southern Africa.

Mr. Efrem explained that projects implemented with a view to raising agricultural output and improving communal livelihood on the basis of livestock production, irrigation development, boosting animal feed output, soil and water conservation, as well as introduction of energy conserving stove and biogas have witnessed positive outcome.

Accordingly, the number of dairy cattle introduced in a limited number in the region has currently grown triple folds, and thus giving rise to a gratifying output. Moreover, integrated drip irrigation schemes introduced in the environs of dams have improved harvest level, besides creating significant employment opportunities.

The team visited Harnet Dam, Milk and Animal Feed Factory in Mendefera and areas of remarkable community-led development accomplishments in Debarwa sub-zone. In this connection, Mr. Perim Louis expressed appreciation for the complete implementation of the set programs, and said that IFAD would step up its support in the future.