Abadula Gemeda Adama, December 25 (WIC) – The Oromia state has reportedly offered capacity building training to 3.5 million farmers so as to boost agricultural productivity in the state.

Chief Administrator of the Oromia state, Abadula Gemeda, said the state government has paid prime attention to the agricultural sector with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the ongoing economic growth in the state.    

He was speaking at the 13th 

regular session of the State Council.   He said while presenting performance report of the first quarter of the budget year that capacity building training was given to 3.5 million farmers and more than 16,000 agricultural professionals.   

He said over 160 million quintals of agricultural output will be reaped by developing 7.1 million hectares of land in 2010. Some 6.8 million hectares of land has so far been covered with various crops.    

Preparations are underway to distribute 504,448 quintals of fertilizer to farmers for the success of the development activities, according to Abadula.    

He further said that activities have already been launched to develop over 760,000 hectares of land through irrigation.     

He said more than 5.3 million children are pursuing their primary education following the effort made to expand education coverage in the state. Over 5.4 million books have been distributed in the state.   

He mentioned that some 66 health centers built over the past three months are being furnished with internal materials.   

He indicated that the construction of more than 80 potable water projects is underway with over 1.5 billion birr.  Upon going fully operational, the projects would benefit over two million residents.   

The two day conference will deliberate on various issues and reports.