There are golden opportunities in Ethiopia for the development of horticulture. It is crystal clear that the nation possesses suitable agroecological zones, plenty of water alternatives, suitable climate, fertile soil and ample human power. However, the nation has not harvested the desired goal in horticulture yield yet because of limitations of inputs especially improved seeds and pesticides.
Problems are also evident in water management, finance supply, irrigation, canal management, market linkage, infrastructural facilities, post-harvest handling, pesticide use, disease and what have you.
As a result of the aforementioned factors, the nation’s horticulture is still in its infancy and thus the Ministry of Agriculture is working with stakeholders and partners with a view to getting to the bottom of the bottlenecks. In fact, some of the solution could be creating skilled human power, fulfilling proper budget, controlling pesticides and diseases, creating strong market linkage, building infrastructures, handling postharvest and managing water resources effectively.
Horticulture is known as the backbone of agriculture and a source of hard currency in addition to giving nutritional value for a given society. This fiscal year, the country is expected to harvest 511 mln quintal horticulture yields through cultivating 3.4 mln hectares of land. At this point in time, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is attachingsignificance to bumping up the productivity of horticulture. Be that as it may, MoA has offered short-term trainings targeting at strengthening human power in the sector at Melkasa Agriculture Research Center.
Three hundred thirty four Development Agents (DAs) and other stakeholders, drawn from a wide spectrum of states, Zones and Woredas had taken trainings for two weeks targeting at developing horticulture production and identifying pests and diseases and their protection methods.
Dessalegn Damtie is one of the trainees. He is from Benishangul/ Gumuz. Pertaining to the training, he said, “I have really learnt how to improve seeds and plantation in addition to identifying diseases and pests.” According to him in his birthplace, farmers were utilizing traditional ways of spraying chemicals. But at the moment, he is dreaming of putting into effect what he had acquired from the training. He added, “Many rivers and plenty of water resources are available in our environment.
Hence, if farmers bring into play the different water resources wisely, they can achieve the intended target in a little while.” The other participant named Sisay Demeke is from Amhara state of North Wollo zone of Tenta woreda. He said, “The training will enable him to bring in change in horticulture development without a shadow of a doubt. I have taken both theoretical and practical trainings.
They will make me to be skillful in the sector. Apart from the aforementioned courses I had taken training in managing water, planting seed, and mixing different soils. ” Sinedu Tsegaye is a trainee from SNNP state of Sidama Zone of Aleta Wondo Woreda. For her part, she said, “This training has honed my skill to come up with quality horticulture yields using different technologies.
In my Woreda, farmers use only coffee as a cash crop. But in the training, I have learned how to produce horticultures as cash crop apart from taking training that runs the gamut from land preparation to postharvest handling of horticulture crops.” She continued: “Farmers in my village plant local variety of fruits (avocado, mango, papaya) and other vegetables. Therefore, I have a plan to train them for better yields.” Abdella Negash is Horticulture Development Director of MoA. He said, “MoA is carrying out a wide-array of mechanisms in order to create skilled manpower.
This being the case, training was given in horticulture development and irrigation for 334 DAs and other agricultural experts. Extension and research plays a great role for the development of horticulture. He kept on saying MoA has organized horticulture development and market strategy that will serve for ten solid years. Besides, the states have organized their own horticulture strategies depending on their context. As the wide portion of horticulture seeds are imported from abroad, lack of seeds are manifested. Therefore, research centers and extensions should work in concert to tackle the supply of horticulture seeds, which boost yields.
There should be a streamlined arrangement and organization set up from top to bottom to bring real horticulture development throughout the nation. Such research- based practice allows the prevention of pests and diseases. He stressed that the multiplication of seeds allows quality production and strong market linkage. It as well helps to introduce post-harvest technologies for farmers and to fulfill and strengthen skilled human power in the sector.” He wrapped up with “Stakeholders should be able to introduce for farmers improved seeds released from research centers,”
Herald February 24/2019
BY BAHIRU SETEGNE (From MoA)
