From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Sep 09 2009 - 06:02:51 EDT
President calls on the public and administrative bodies to reinforce
endeavors towards achieving food security
By Staff
Sep 9, 2009, 11:14
Mendefera, 8 September 2009 - President Isaias Afwerki called on the public
and administrations to provide added impetus to the task of putting in place
infrastructure aimed at boosting agricultural production, and thereby
achieve food security.
The President made the remarks at a meeting he conducted today in Mendefera
town with regional Administrators. In a detailed work directives he gave as
regards boosting agricultural potentialities, strengthening information
system and management, and the restructuring of administrative bodies, he
explained that this year's good rainy season has amply demonstrated the
significance of enhancing work performance and readiness to meet any
eventuality under any circumstance. In this respect, President Isaias
stressed the need for reinforcing soil and water conservation activities so
as to offset the negative consequences of food shortage and natural
calamities. He gave directives to the regional administrations to present a
2-year action program aimed at implementing infrastructure development
schemes with a view to conserving soil and water resources, as well as
promoting reforestation programs in various localities. Besides, the
President gave directives to begin implementing the action plan for 2010 as
of next month. To this end, he indicated that the Government is introducing
modern machineries of different types in a bid to reinforce soil and water
conservation undertakings.
Noting that the water reservoir facilities constructed by the people and the
Government are creating conducive ground for effective utilization of rain
water, President Isaias called for judicious utilization of the water thus
conserved so as to raise productivity. In this connection, he pointed out
that the Government is striving to create favorable atmosphere for locally
producing the necessary water pipelines and other distribution devices,
taking into account the substantial expenditure that the import of such
devices entails.
Regarding the paramount importance of gathering and processing accurate
information data in the effective implementation of development programs,
the President emphasized the need for the existing information system
centers in the administrative regions to get equipped with advanced
technological facilities and apply effective work methodology so as to
enable administrative bodies live up to expectations. He also reminded
administrative staff at all levels to familiarize themselves with modern
information systems, and thus avoid reliance on estimates in work
performance.
As part of efforts at the national level to upgrade institutional competence
and streamline action programs, President Isaias said that the
administrations need to strengthen their organizational capacity and mode of
operation. He also gave them directive to present change proposals along
with the reorganization of human resource shortly following proper
assessment of the strong and weak sides of the structure, organization and
mode of operation that used to be practiced to-date.
The regional Administrations conducted extensive discussion on putting into
effect the work directives given by President Isaias. Moreover, they
exchanged views on the work accomplishments in each region in the year 2009
and the action programs mapped out for 2010 in relation with the directives.
In their respective papers presented at the meeting, the regional
Administrators outlined programs focusing on land leveling, raising
productivity in specific plots, improving output both in quantity and
quality, construction of additional major and secondary water reservoir
facilities, development of irrigation farming, introduction of modern
technology and mechanized farming, boosting the production of strategic
crops and animal resource, enhancing an agricultural knowledge and nurturing
agricultural experts, as well as the gathering, storage and processing of
agricultural produce.
Furthermore, the Administrators reached understanding on the need to exert
stepped-up efforts as regards the land leveling programs being undertaking
by the administrative regions in a manner that benefits present and future
generations.
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