Central region: Agriculture Ministry conducts seminar focusing on advantages of sweet potato

The Agriculture Ministry’s branch in the Central region has conducted seminars in Weki and Serejeqa villages with the local inhabitants and SWP participants focusing on advantages of sweet potato.

Asmara, 30 July 2013 – The Agriculture Ministry’s branch in the Central region has conducted seminars in Weki and Serejeqa villages with the local inhabitants and SWP participants focusing on advantages of sweet potato.

Mr. Musie Fikadu, coordinator of Sweet Potato Project in Halhale National Institute of Agricultural Research, pointed out that the venture is aimed at widespread introduction of the root vegetable, 5 varieties of which have already been adopted by a number of farmers in the areas of Mendefera, Debarwa and Dekemhare. He further indicated that sweet potato has a remarkable advantage in connection with the fact that more than 400 quintals could be harvested from a single hectare, besides its versatility as food and its resistance to drought, diseases and pests.

Ms. Tirhas Yemane from the Research Institute disclosed that the participants of the seminar were practically familiarized with the method of food processing based on sweet potato, and called on nationals to plant it at household level.

Among the seminar participants, Biniam Rezene, Saron Ambesajir and Nahom Musie expressed satisfaction with the seminar, and called for the conducting of further seminars in schools.

In closing remarks, Dr. Eyassu Gebretatios, Director of the Institute, said that the Ministry has been exerting stepped-up endeavors towards raising agricultural output on the basis of identifying suitable crops through research. He also stated that the research conducted on sweet potato demanded 10 years.