A programme of support for the agricultural sector of Eritrea. A report to Euro Action Acord 22 February - March 1985
Barnett, T.; Gibbon, D.
Manuals and Reports in Development Studies, School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia 25: 39
1985
Document Number: 301132
The relief of immediately looming famine in the short term, and the provision of a whole range of inputs to a broad agricultural programme as seriously short of inputs as Eritrea's, cannot really be discussed in terms of the financial analysis of 'projects'. The very specific nature of the possible involvement of EAA (Euro Action Acord) is much broader than financing 'projects'. It is to support the entire agricultural sector of a small country which has no other overall outside funding or support for that sector. The mission recommends that EAA should undertake to act as an external funder for the agricultural sector of Eritrea. The consortium should support both short and longer term agricultural development through: (1) Short and medium term irrigation developments from the diversion and utilization of the flood water from the major rivers of the eastern and western catchments; (2) Protection and management of resources in the upper eastern and western watersheds. (3) Provision of funds for the research and training needs of selected EPLF technical staff to allow short overseas visits to undertake problem-oriented research and updating of information; (4) The support of an office outside Eritrea to coordinate research in the natural and social sciences being done by Eritrean and non-Eritrean scholars, in order to advise of the relevance of such research to the needs of Eritrean people; (5) The provision of basic research and training materials for the institutes of agriculture and of technology which have been established inside the country. Such an ambitious and challenging programme would have an immediate impact in the next 12 months, and a much longer term impact over the next 10 to 12 years.