ADDIS ABABA – In a campaign set to conserve natural resources, Tigray Regional State has planned to develop over 100,000 hectares of land in this february State Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development disclosed.
Water-shed Development Implementation Coordinator at the Bureau, Yitbarek Gebremedhin told The Ethiopian Herald that the peoples of Tigray State have been continuously promoting the culture of preserving natural resources for the past 34 years.
Yitbarek stated that Tigray State currently has a potential to develop 63 thousand hectares of suitable land for irrigation. The State has planned to develop over 100 thousand hectares of land across the region; of these, 70 per cent of the land will be covered by the people till 10 February 2020, while the reaming 30 per cent will be assisted by different projects and development programs, he noted.
As to Yitbarek, over 1.4 million people are expected to join the free service campaign which will run for 20 days. During last year’s campaign, over 74 thousand hectares of land was covered by the people; in which this continual effort in water and soil conservation is crucial in improving irrigation, preserving water, developing agricultural lands, and producing animal feed sufficiently, he added.
Meanwhile, Forest Management Director at the Bureau Meuz Hailu told The Ethiopian Herald that over 73 million seedlings were planted last year in Tigray. And now, the Bureau is finalizing preparation to plant 120 million seedlings in the coming rainy season, he stated.
According to Meuz, Bureau frequently organizes supervision mechanism over planted trees twice a year in October and April; he said adding that, 78 per cent of planted trees are fully growing in good condition during the first round count.
For Meuz, over 30 million Birr budget is allocated to plant 120 million seedlings. He also said that the State gives due attention for cluster plantation with the goal of planting trees for a single purpose and to create dense forest.
According to him, one million seedlings are prepared to plant in a single cluster where it covers 500 hectares. A single Woreda will have at least five clusters, he said. According to the Bureau, the State gives due attention for natural resource investment to alleviate the negative impact of climate change.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 8/2020
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
