Successful efforts to augment agricultural produce

The head of the seed development in the Southern region Mr. Teklu Beraki indicated that successful efforts have been exerted in the region in the past 25 years of Independence to augment agricultural produce aimed at ensuring food security.

Mendefera, 03 May 2016- The head of the seed development in the Southern region Mr. Teklu Beraki indicated that successful efforts have been exerted in the region in the past 25 years of Independence to augment agricultural produce aimed at ensuring food security.

According to him the Hazomo plains, Shimezana, Megerba, Ubel, Adi-Quala plains, Mai-Tsaeda, Meraguz and Ala are renowned areas for their productivity and that the farmers in those areas have been able to cultivate vegetables and fruits from 2 to 3 times per year.

He also said that the cultivated land has increases for 519 hectares to 12,672 and yearly vegetable produce increased from 35 thousand quintals to 1.2 million and fruits from 8 thousand to 183 thousand quintals.

Mr. Teklu further noted that 69 million tree seedlings have been planted on 16 thousand hectares of land and as a result a vast area of land has been saved from erosion.

With regards the introduction of alternative energy, the head of the seeds development indicated that from 1998 onwards 51 thousand smokeless ovens have been distributed and 36% of the villages in the region have become beneficiaries.

Documents indicate that in the Southern region 167,756 hectares of land are cultivated with variety of crops, 12,672 hectares with vegetables and 1,872 hectares with fruits.