Addis Ababa, 25 November, 2015 (WIC) – The Amhara region Agriculture Bureau said it is making efforts to fill gaps in agricultural production and productivity due to the drought.
Crop Development and Protection Coordinator with the Bureau, Shimelash Yeshaneh (Dr.), told WIC that the region is undertaking different actions through cash crop production, irrigation works and updating weather forecast information to regain productivity from the effect of El-Nino.
He further said that water harvesting works have been undertaken intensively in some areas where El-Nino has adverse effect.
It was noted that the region has targeted to collect 101 million quintals of crop products as of this farming season from 4.3 million hectares of land, but the El- Nino has cast its shadows and this amount may be reduced by 12 million quintals.
So far crops are harvested from over 2 million hectares of land. 96 million quintals is harvested during last production year, he reminded.
Some students, public servants and developmental groups are cooperatively working with farmers to harvest crops, he noted.
The region is cultivating vegetables and maize by using the rain that falls in such way far from the forecast.
It was noted that over 249 hectares of land is ready to be cultivated as of this Belg season, Walta learnt.