Eritrea wins war on Food Security

New Modern Farming Equipment Introduced in Eritrea 

Eritrea Becomes Food Secure
Madote News


May 29, 2011 (ERITREA) –  Since the start of 2010, Eritrea has become one of the few nations in Africa not receive any type of food aid, and also achieve food security. This momentous victory over food insecurity comes at a time when drought, absence of adequate rainfall, and increased prices for imported food commodities are being reported throughout the horn of Africa region.

Eritrea's success in the agriculture department is largely due to the government's relentless efforts in creating dozens of micro-dams throughout the country, investing tens of millions in modern agriculture equipment, and introducing modern farming techniques such as the ingenious drip water irrigation system; which has given many Eritrean farmers the ability of having three farming seasons in one year.

Moreover, as a result of the successful endeavors reached in the agriculture sector, Voice of America (VOA) in Tigrinya reported food prices in Eritrea have been slashed by 50% and that the country is experiencing a bumper harvest .

The Problem with Food Aid 

Food aid, when it's not intended for a one-time emergency relief assistance, almost always hurts a developing country and destroys it's agriculture sector. When a developed nation sends food assistance for free or below market prices, it destroys the local markets and undermines local farmers who don't have the capacity to compete; which forces farmers out of business. As the number of local farmers are driven out of work, this in turn shackles the nation on food dependency from developed nations. So although it may look like a noble cause by developed nations, it's actually an ingenious scheme that brings in profit for those giving the food "aid" and traps a developing nation into a perpetual cycle of dependency.

This chronic addiction to food aid went on in Eritrea up-till 2009, when the government of Eritrea took a bold and valiant step when it kicked out all food aid NGOs on the grounds of hurting the local agriculture industry. Although the NGOs warned of famine, and other depressing scenarios without their assistance (after all, they were losing their jobs), the result of their departure has shown otherwise. Within one year of their absence, Eritrea went on to be self-sufficient in the food department and is looking forward to becoming an exporter of food within the next five years.


                                           (click on the images to see larger quality)

Eritrean Farmers showcasing their successful Farms

Eritrea's Agriculture sector experiences bumper harvest 

Eritrean Cattle Farm in Anseba Region

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