Joint Ethio-Israel Agri project Eyes at Enhancing Research for Better Productivity

07/23/08
    

Activities will be enhanced to maintain the successes being gained in the areas of research aimed at bolstering Ethiopia's agriculture sector, says a joint project of the International Cooperation Center of Israel (Mashav), Horticulture Development Agency of the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and USAID.

Heads of the joint project on Monday toured a cross-breading center for Avocado and Mango in Buta Jirra, Fodder varieties research center in Holeta as well as Addis Potato Seed Lab.

The center would contribute significantly on agriculture researches that back efforts to accelerate the agriculture development sector in Ethiopia, said Ambassador Haim Di Voin, head of Mashav (also deputy director general of the Israeli foreign affairs ministry).

Mango and Avocado varieties - cross breeds with seeds from Israel - will be nurtured and the seedlings will be distributed (30 per cent to local farmers and 70 per cent to investors), a mashav expert said in his demonstration to the visitors.

This package is a significant one which is believed to beef up Ethiopia's horticulture exports volume and quality, it was learnt.

Meanwhile, the Holeta fodder research project has taken up research on bio-technology, with which to grow high-yielding varieties that are also rich in nutrients.

In addition, lab testing on virus-free potato varieties would soon be launched. This project will be implemented at a cost of 105,000 dollars. There are also activities to grow new varieties of pinapple and banana at Jimma and Melkasa research centers.

Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia Yakov Amitai said the research packages underway are part of the multifarious cooperation between Israel and Ethiopia.

The Israeli delegation, that also include Zvi Herman, Head of Sinadco (Israeli Ministry of Agriculture, International Agriculture Development Center) and Meir Kohn Director for Mashav projects will head for the Tigray State on Tuesday to visit projects in Mekele and Hawzen.

Ethiopia Ministry of foreign Affairs