Zema Yared with comedian Eshetu

Work is underway to model Hawassa in urban agriculture

Hawassa: March 26/2014 (ENA) The city administration is working to model Hawassa by expanding urban agricultural development at the level of government institutions and housing, the mayor said.

Hawassa City Agricultural Development Movement Forum and field observation was held in Sidama State.

According to Deputy Mayor Tsegaye Tuke at the time: Improving urban agriculture is essential to sustaining Hawassa's sustainable development.

Apart from identifying land that can be used for urban agriculture, he said, Hawassa has also been designed to model Hawassa city by utilizing other options including schools, government offices, private houses.

Hawassa City Agriculture Department Head Ato Abebayehu Lemma; He said Hawassa can utilize its potential for urban agriculture and reduce its supply imbalances.

He said efforts have been made to implement vegetables, food production, processing and supply to the consumer in seven sub-cities of the city.

He said about 3,000 quintals of cassava, lettuce, pepper, onion and cabbage have been produced during the first round of development.

He said more than 200,000 fruit and vegetable seedlings have been distributed to various government institutions, schools, houses and other places in the city.

According to Dr. Gashaw Mitke, a resident of Hawassa Lake Dar Sub-City, one of the participants in the development: He said they have been able to grow fast-growing vegetables, fruits and spices and share them with their neighbors.

Hawassa Branch of the Human Resource Management of the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Agency Sosna Birata; The young workers of the branch said that they have benefited by cultivating vegetables with different materials.

Ainalem Nikuse, a member of the Executive Committee of the Prosperity Party, who attended the forum, said the rising cost of living is mainly due to rising food prices.

He said the mismatch between the demand and supply of agricultural products has affected the poor living standards.

He said urban agriculture, which plays an irreplaceable role in alleviating the problem, has not been given as much support as rural agriculture.

He said it is not possible to meet the food needs of the people due to the current situation in rural areas.

At the national level, Ms. Aynalem called on the community and the city leadership to work together for the success of the sector.