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Eritrea: Gearing Up Against Natural Challenges
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Shabait.com (Asmara)
EDITORIAL
17 April 2008
Posted to the web 17 April 2008
Asmara
Achieving food security being the priority task in our development strategy, the abundant rains in 2007 and the necessary agricultural infrastructure that was 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 the 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 infrastructure has not been finalized and we are still largely dependent on rain for our agricultural activities while the threat of poor rains loom 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 future challenges and their consequences. One thing that should be given ample consideration regarding food security is that in today's world of global exploitation we no longer reap what we sow but only what we sow and carefully collect.
Gathering bumper harvest that goes beyond food security towards exports as one of our long-term objectives, tackling and being ready for natural disasters before hand that might hamper this objective are also 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. This information is not something that can be overlooked or discredited because of a few days of rain. 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 in global oil price, the market and economy of all 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 of 2007 is one way of getting prepared for the natural challenges. Moreover, raising the productivity of the fisheries sector as well as enhancing the production of fruits and vegetables could have 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.
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The impending natural challenges notwithstanding, making necessary preparations beforehand is the best way to tackle any problem, because our national development strategy is based on a comprehensive outlook and not on day-to-day occurrences. 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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