Ministry of Agriculture Conducts Mid-Year Review of Regional Activities

Asmara, 17 July 2026 – The Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Agriculture reported that the Ministry conducted a meeting on 16 July to assess the implementation of regional work plans during the first half of 2026, as well as the progress of the Comprehensive Small and Productive Farm Plot program.

During the assessment meeting, comprehensive reports were presented by all six regions of the country, covering a wide range of activities, including soil and water conservation, the construction of water reservoirs, river diversion works, the status of crops and the rainy season, the multiplication and distribution of improved seed, the production of organic fertilizer, the development of vegetable and fruit production, crop and livestock health, beekeeping, the distribution of chickens and supply of eggs, as well as the implementation of the Comprehensive Small and Productive Farm Plot program and other related activities.

According to assessments conducted up to the end of June 2026, of the 2,003 villages identified as having the potential to implement the Comprehensive Small and Productive Farm Plot program, 1,672 villages, or more than 83%, have successfully implemented it in at least one household, while many villages had extended the program to more than one household.

Following extensive discussions on the reports presented, the participants made a number of recommendations. These included strengthening the monitoring of the distribution and impact of improved seed, assessing the performance and impact of distributed chickens, and enhancing the promotion and practical application of organic fertilizers, along with several other important recommendations and observations.

In his closing remarks, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Arefaine Berhe, reaffirmed that the Ministry is committed to achieving its strategic vision of “Safe and Nutritious Food for Everyone, Everywhere.” He emphasized that the full implementation of the Comprehensive Small and Productive Farm Plot program remains one of the Ministry’s leading strategies for achieving this objective.

The Minister noted that although the progress achieved so far was encouraging, agricultural experts should continue working with greater commitment until the program is fully implemented by every household in every village. He further encouraged frontline extension workers to facilitate practical learning and promote wider adoption of the program.

Minister Arefaine also stressed that soil and water conservation forms the foundation of all agricultural development. He therefore called for the preparation of well-defined action plans and the establishment of close monitoring mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of soil and water conservation activities.

The mid-year review meeting was attended by senior officials and experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, together with heads of regional agriculture and land departments and technical experts from all six regions of the country.