Haramaya University is working to alleviate the shortage of food in the country. As a result, the University has provided 1,200 quintals of improved Kingbird wheat variety seeds to farmers in 15 woredas of East Hararge Zone, aiming to support Irrigation Based Wheat Production initiative, December 4, 2021.
Dr. Tesfaye Lema, Vice President for Research affairs, said a lot of work is being done to expand wheat production in areas where wheat can be grown in the country and to ensure food security by irrigating wheat at the national and Oromia levels. Haramaya University, which focuses on agriculture, has mobilized 67 farmers in Haro Bate Kebele of Gursum Woreda since last year to produce 60 hectares of wheat seeds. The University has been working in collaboration with the zonal agriculture office and woreda officials to alleviate the seed problem in the area by distributing the improved wheat seed to local farmers.
Dr. Tesfaye added that, farmers in the Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions have failed to perform their usual production activities because of the war in the northern part of the country. So that, in order to prevent future food shortages and famine, there is a need to increase the production of wheat in areas where there is no treat of peace. As a result, Haramaya University has donated 1200 quintals of wheat seeds to farmers in East Hararge Zone through the zonal agriculture office, which helps to increase the productivity of the farmers. The University will not only provide wheat seeds to the farmers, but will also provide support and monitoring in collaboration with zonal and woreda agricultural experts.
East Hararge Zone Agriculture Office Head, Mr. Getahun Nigatu, said that the support will be distributed to fifteen woredas, which are suitable, for the production of wheat by irrigation in the zone. The support is crucial to increase the production and to reduce food shortages caused by the ongoing war in the northern part of the country, in relation to that in the areas where there is no threat to peace; it should produce enough products and supply it to other areas.
Mr. Getahun also stated that more than 42,000 quintals of wheat can be harvested with the support of 1,200 quintals of high quality wheat. According to East Hararge Zone, more than 27,600 hectares of land is planned to be irrigated in this year. Haramaya University is also expected to propagate the best seeds on 150-200 hectares of land.
Mr Atlabachew Mekonnen, a lecture and researcher at Haramaya University Department of Plant Sciences, said wheat production is the key to ensuring food security. As a result, the University is currently planning to conduct research on 9 varieties from melka worer lowland wheat and 12 wheat varieties from Kulumsa research center.
It is expected that 1950 farmers living in 15 woredas in the zone will benefit from the support provided from the University.
