Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 12:08:15 +0200
<http://www.shabait.com/about-eritrea/erina/17831-dams-and-prospects-of-irri
gation-farming-vis-a-vis-agro-tourism-development> Dams and prospects of
irrigation farming vis-à-vis agro tourism development
Saturday, 13 September 2014 06:07 | Written by National Tourism Services
Association |
<http://www.shabait.com/about-eritrea/erina/17831-dams-and-prospects-of-irri
gation-farming-vis-a-vis-agro-tourism-development?format=pdf> PDF
Erina <http://www.shabait.com/component/content/section/18> - Erina
<http://www.shabait.com/about-eritrea/erina>
In countries like Eritrea where there is scarcity of rainfall it essential
that Governments and the community seek alternative solutions to alleviate
water problem. That alternative solution, mainly, is catching every drop of
water through building water catchment schemes and constructing micro and
macro dams. These dams and water catchment schemes would not only be
confined in supplying the society with the needed water supply both for them
and their animals but they have also a big role in changing the echo-system
in the country and add impetus to other significant development programs
such as the development of irrigation farming and thereby ensuring food
security. As has been said time and again water is one of the main
components that tourists ask its availability before they decide to visit a
given country. Hence, with availability of water and putting in place the
other essential elements for tourism attraction we could full heartedly say
that the prospect of developing the industry is in hand. Tourists have
different interests to come and visit a given country, and one of the
elements for tourism attraction is the development of modern agricultural
establishments which are commonly referred as agro-industries.
Eritrea has been, until the Ethiopian occupation of the country, renowned
for its agro-industries that have been supplying fruits and vegetables to
the Middle East and as far as Europe. The Eleberet agro-industry has been
one of these. The Agro-industry has been running its agricultural activities
not depending only to the natural rainfall; it has been conducted through
modern irrigation system. History tells us also the agro-industry has been
visited every week end by many foreign and local tourists who have been
going to enjoy the fresh air buy fresh agricultural products such as
oranges, mangoes, diary products, wine and vegetables.
And with this article, notwithstanding with old good days of the past
agro-industries in the country, we would like to talk about the future
prospects of Agro-industry emphasizing “Dams and prospects of irrigation
farming vis-à-vis agro tourism development” in connection with this year’s
International Tourism Day which is being celebrated under the theme “Tourism
and Community Development”.
In most developed countries it is very hard to find organic agricultural
products. And if there are, are very expensive for an average income
families to afford. In countries like Eritrea, however, with the conducive
climatic condition and relatively cheap labor organic food items are cheap
and affordable.
Eritrea with the pace that it is marching to ensure lasting solution of
water shortage with the construction of so many small and big dams
throughout the country will be in not far time the hub for tourism, and
especially that of agro-tourism. This is true with putting in place of other
requirement that tourists would prefer and chose to come to visit. They say
“Rome has not been built overnight”. And that we could not expect
agro-tourism to grow overnight in Eritrea but with steady progress we have
been observing every one could smell that prospect.
The development of irrigation farming through the dams enables every on in
the vicinity have his/her share in improving his/her livelihood. The big
farms would create an opportunity for the nearby residents with employment
opportunity, others would have the opportunity of providing basic supplies
such as food, tea and local drinks for the employees in the farms, and
others would benefit from guiding the tourists. This is to say the least
without talking the revenue the country would earn from the development of
agro-industry. This is only to mention the average person from nearby
village would benefit, since we are talking about community development and
community begins from a single family and grows to community level.
There are many countries that have developed big agro-industries that are
frequented by tourists and become big income generation establishments. The
vineyards in Spain, Algeria, and southern Italy are renowned for their
tourism attractions Tourists go there not only to visit the agro-industries
but also to enjoy the fresh wine brewed there. The Haifa orange
agro-industry, though to date abandoned, has been one of the tourist
attraction area in the Middle East. This not forgetting that there has been
“Day of Wine’ being celebrated every year in Dekemhare. Every Asmarino and
especially the Italians and the metuchios would go there early in the
morning and spend the day enjoying fresh fruits of wine grapes and wine
products.
Agro-tourism is characterized in which tourists that are fond of visiting
big agricultural complexes not only to buy and enjoy organic agricultural
products but also they come to enjoy the atmosphere. The fresh air that is
coming out of the environment, the smell of the different fruits and
vegetables, the sound of music the birds make, the serenity of the place,
free from the industrial and vehicles noises and the pollution they create
in urban centers is what agro-industry tourists would like to enjoy most.
The Eritrean National Tourism Services Association has no doubt that with
the full fledged commencement of agro-industries behind the dams of Gerset,
the two Fancos and other dams agro-tourism would flourish and every citizen
would benefit from their establishments and services.
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