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Farmers cultivating over 5,600 hectares of irrigated land in Central Tigray Zone |
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Axum, January 20 (WIC) - More than 50,000 farmers in nine woredas of Central Tigray Zone have reportedly been developing over 5,600 hectares through irrigation this budget year. Agriculture and Rural Development Advisor with the zonal administration, Woldegiorgis Kifle, told WIC that the development would help ensure food security sustainably by utilizing the water resource of the zone properly. The irrigation development aims at doubling the yearly income of the farmers by producing spices, onion, pepper, potato, vegetables and fruits, he stated. The farmers are undertaking the development by utilizing 458 motor pumps, 2,130 tridle pumps and 300 drip irrigation technology, the advisor said, adding that efforts have also been underway to irrigate 4,000 hectares. More than 151 million birr was earned by cultivating 7,000 hectares of irrigated land last fiscal year, he indicated. National presidential and parliamentary elections, which are slated for 2009, will be held as scheduled throughout Somalia, according to Prime Minister Nur Adde. He said his new government, composed of 18 Cabinet ministers and five deputies, will "go from Baidowa to Mogadishu very soon." But his statements on national reconciliation were most profound, saying: "Reconciliation is open to everyone, and we will start with civilians at the village level. Then, opposition forces will be welcomed and we are willing to meet them at any reasonable location with no preconditions." He repeatedly appealed to the opposition to accept his calls for reconciliation: "The opposition has a right [in this country] and a responsibility [to this country]." On the question of Ethiopian troops, Prime Minister Nur Adde clearly stated that the Ethiopian army will remain in Somalia until "the Somali people come together and reach a decision that this is their country, that this is one country and one people, and that it is vital they understand each other." Foreign troops will not be in Somalia forever, "even if the [Somali] government wants them there forever," according to the Prime Minister. "This [staying forever] is not possible because foreign troops can do very little for you [people of Somalia]." He indicated that a national reconciliation process is a must for Somalia. If, at the conclusion of such a process, the Somali people demand Ethiopia's withdrawal, then: "I believe that they [Somalis] need not say more." "But as long as we [Somalis] are divided, then the current problems will continue. That is why we want our appeal for reconciliation accepted," he told the BBC. One caller asked Prime Minster Nur Adde if he would step down in the spirit of achieving national reconciliation and peace. "Yes, I am willing to step down. This seat is not special for me, but I am here for the people's duty. If the solution came this afternoon, I am ready to step down [now]," he said. |
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