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Eritrea

Eritrea: Meeting of Cabinet of Ministers, Regional Administrators and Operation Zone Commanders conducted

Asmara, 11 July 2005 - A meeting of Cabinet Ministers, Regional Administrators and Operation Zone Commanders was conducted in Asmara today. The meeting that took place at the Denden Hall was chaired by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, H.E. Isaias Afwerki.
The meeting held in-depth deliberations on the ongoing development programs for 2005 and the process of their implementations. Detailed discussions were also conducted on the intensive and coordinated agricultural activities being carried out by farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, government construction companies and members of the Defence Force to register maximum outcome during this year's rain season.

According to the reports presented to the meeting by the Administrators of the three regions where large-scale agricultural activities are taking place, namely Gash-Barka, Southern and Northern Red Sea regions, so far over 117,000 hectares have been put under cultivation and that it is in good condition thanks to the adequate rainfall distribution since March.

It is estimated that about 3.5 million quintals of different cereals and crops would be harvested from the three regions provided the prevailing rainfall distribution pattern continues. The necessary preparations are being made for the cultivation of more than 460,000 hectares of agricultural area. Similar activities are also in progress in the Central, Anseba and Southern Red Sea regions on about 80,000 hectares.

In connection with the activities in progress, the meeting of Cabinet Ministers, Regional Administrators and Operation Zone Commanders also held in-depth discussions on issues related to the distribution of selected brand of seeds to farmers, provision of tractor services, monitoring and implementation of precautionary measures to avoid crop damage by locusts, provision of pesticides and the coordination of human resources and equipment. The meeting also took note of the progress made in soil and water conservation programs, as well as potable water supply.

Addressing programs that have been in the process of implementation regarding increase in animal feed supply, the meeting focused on strategic planning on the management of animal resources and the procedures that need to be followed towards tackling shortages in the supply of dairy products. The meeting concluded in the evening hours with the adoption of work directives.

It is to be noted that the Government of Eritrea continues to make relentless efforts to promote development programs, and thereby ensure food security through introducing modern machineries and embarking on different development programs in the agricultural sector.