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Eritrea: Gearing Up Against Natural Challenges
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Shabait.com (Asmara)
EDITORIAL
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 26 March 2008
Asmara
Achieving food security being the priority task in our development strategy, the abundant rains in 2007 and the necessary agricultural infrastructure that were laid out beforehand had enabled us to reap a bumper harvest. Although nature had indeed cooperated, the good harvest in 2007 has been primarily a result of the hard work and determination of the Eritrean people, government and defense forces. As a result of this resourcefulness, our capacity to conserve water has improved and we have been able to open a small window towards enhanced irrigation farming.
Although we have indeed been able to secure a bumper harvest, our agricultural policies have yet to outline programs for sustainable solutions, all the necessary infrastructures have not been finalized and we are still largely dependent on rain for our agricultural activities while the threat of poor rains looms over most of the Horn region. Hence, this year's harvest should not be limited to consumption in one year only but should also serve as a buffer for the near future that is expected to be fraught with natural challenges. Thus, efforts are underway to sketch out an efficient consumption program that puts into consideration the future challenges and their consequences.
While harvesting a bumper harvest that goes beyond food security towards exports being one of our long-term objectives, tackling and being ready beforehand for the natural disasters that might hamper this objective is also one of the priority tasks in our long-term plans. As global metrological studies predict, most parts of the Horn of Africa will experience variations in weather conditions in 2008. Although the accuracy of these predictions could only be seen in time, making advance preparations is always the best way to address problems.
In the event of extreme weather conditions, as the studies predict, the price of strategic crops will rise and, with the rise of global oil price, the market and economy of all the countries in the region will be drastically affected. Considering the effect that such market fluctuations could have on the nation's economy, bringing in yet uncollected crops and regulating the distribution and marketing of the bumper harvest in 2007 is one way of getting prepared for the natural challenges. Moreover, raising the productivity of the fishery sector, as well as enhancing the production of fruits and vegetables, could play a decisive role in achieving food security. Proper utilization of the various water reservoirs built in different parts of the country and various other vital precautions are part of the ongoing preparations against future natural challenges and their consequences.
The impending natural challenges notwithstanding, making necessary preparations beforehand is the best way to tackle any problem. Hence, the Eritrean people inside and abroad, members of the Defense Forces and local administrations should all work diligently in their respective areas of field so as to minimize the consequences of the natural disaster as much as possible and maintain the progress we have achieved so far in the nation-building process. Victory to the struggle for food security and economic emancipation!
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