Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced that about 85 percent of the 7.5 billion seedlings planted during the rainy season of the past Ethiopian Fiscal Year have survived and are thriving.
As part of its ambitious plan to plant 50 billion trees in two phases of the Green Legacy Initiative, Ethiopia planted 32.5 billion saplings thus far in the first phase and the first year of the second phase.
Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente said about 85 percent of the total 7.5 billion seedlings planted during last year’s rainy season have survived.
Out of these 7.5 billion seedlings planted, 57 percent were mixed forest and fruit bearing saplings, while the remaining 43 percent were planted for environmental protection and watershed development, he noted.
Emphasizing the rigorous monitoring system in place, with biannual surveys conducted to ensure the well being of the seedlings, the minister explained that the exploration work will be done after the end of summer and winter months.
Accor
dingly, as per the first inspection conducted after the rainy season, 85 percent of the seedlings planted were approved to be survived.
“The survival rate assessments have to be conducted twice; first immediately after the rainy season (summer) and second after the end of the winter. In the first round of the biannual survey after the rainy season, we found about 85% survival rate for seedlings planted during the previous rainy season. Maintaining or even surpassing this rate in future plantings is crucial.’
Stressing that the ministry will work to increase the approval rate by continuously carrying out care activities, Girma stated that the second exploration work will be done after the completion of the winter season.
Looking ahead, the minister revealed that preparations for the upcoming rainy season are well underway.
In collaboration with regional authorities, a plan to cultivate 9 billion seedlings is in place, leveraging the established nurseries and practices developed over the past years, he stat
ed.
Girma acknowledged the varying preparation times for different species, particularly indigenous trees, and assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure optimal planting conditions.
With Ethiopia aiming to plant 17.5 billion trees in the next three years, the Green Legacy Initiative is rapidly approaching to meet its ambitious target of planting 50 billion saplings, according to him.
As Ethiopia proudly shared its Green Legacy experience at the recent COP28 Summit, the world is taking notice of this remarkable initiative, offering hope for a greener and more sustainable future for all.
Source:Ethiopian News Agency
Thousands of residents and learners in the outskirts of Kisii town in Kisii County are poised to benefit from a water project that has been installed in the area courtesy of County Woman Representative Donya Aburi, and Kitutu Chache South Constituency MP Antony Kibagendi.
The water project which will consist of a borehole and water tower for storage of the commodity will benefit Daraja Mbili primary and secondary schools, the local market which serves the neighboring counties, local dispensary, slaughterhouse and the area residents.
Launching construction of the water project at Daraja Mbili secondary school in Kitutu Central Ward, Aburi noted that the water project will also serve vegetable farmers to enable them acquire year round supply of the commodity.
Aburi said that the project, and five other projects targeted for various parts of the county will help kill the culture of begging for vegetables from other regions when rains have subsided in the area.
MP Kibagendi applauded the gesture saying it wi
ll go a long way in ensuring enhanced public health for the locals especially after guaranteeing a clean slaughterhouse.
He also pledged an unstated amount from the County Development Fund kitty to support the project, and also to ensure engineers install water kiosks from which area residents can collect the commodity.
Daraja Mbili sub location Assistant Chief Brian Onditi issued a stern warning to vandals who might target the solar panels for supplying energy to the project, the metallic and plastic pipes saying they will be dealt with according to the law.
Source: Kenya News Agency