Making the Eritrean Desert Bloom

Winter temperatures rarely dip below 25 degrees Celsius. During the rest of the year, temperatures hover close to 450C. The land is arid and hilly. The hand-lettered sign reads, "Welcome to Gahtelay." Gahtelay, located 72 kilometres from Asmara, on the way to Massawa, is situated at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level. The local community speaks Tigre - a language composed of Tigrigna and Arabic. This is where Israeli MASHAV expert Isaac Isaac spends his time. Isaac is in Gahtelay on a two-year assignment to build a model farm with local Eritreans.

In 1993, with the aim of assisting Eritrea in the demobilization of the liberation army and the settlement of ex-fighters, it was decided to establish a model agricultural settlement. Following the decision to initiate this type of program, an Israeli delegation was sent to Eritrea to choose the appropriate site for the model farm.

The considerations taken into account for the area were: weather (hot climate), soil quality, water availability and a clean environment (absence of air, soil and water pollution from factories). The delegation chose Gahtelay because it is similar to the Arava region (the continuation of the East African Rift Valley) in Israel. Israel has a tremendous amount of experience in that type of climate.

The overall goals of the model farm are to demonstrate the advantages of modern pressure irrigation for water saving and the possibilities for rural cooperative forms of settlement.

The Israeli delegation returned to Israel, sent a proposal to the Eritrean government and the program was agreed to in July, 1994. The actual work on the farm began in January, 1995. Fifty participants were chosen for the first group to be trained at the farm - a mix of demobilized fighters and indigenous farmers. The overall aim of the project is to teach participants the skills needed to be able to manage farms by themselves. In this way, participants will gain useful skills and be able to feed their own families. The 50 participants chosen were selected from a larger group previously identified by MITIAS as appropriate for rural settlement.

The project at Gahtelay is jointly sponsored by MASHAV (Israel's International Cooperation Program), ERRA (Eritrean Relief and Rehabilitation Agency) and USAID. ERRA is providing the infrastructure, MASHAV is providing the technical expertise and finance and USAID is the main financial partner.

Intimately involved in the project from the onset have been Israel's Ambassador to Eritrea, H.E. Ariel Kerem; former ERRA Director, Dr. Nerayo Teclemicael; and Ato Amanuel Mahratab, Head of MITIAS, the division within ERRA responsible for finding new placements for ex-fighters.

As of now, the farm consists of 6 hectares, with the possibility of expanding eventually to 100 hectares. The problem, a familiar one to Israelis and Eritrean, is the issue of water availability. For the moment, in order to overcome the shortage of water, an Israeli expert has installed the necessary infrastructure to pump water from bore holes. Longer term, a water survey will need to be conducted on the Gahtelay plains and the pipe will need to be rehabilitated from the mini-reservoir of Gahtelay.

When Isaac arrived in Gahtelay, all he saw to one side was an empty plot of land; the other side contained nothing but rocks and hills. Together, the course participants have built spacious temporary housing which keeps out the elements. The participants recently connected electricity through a generator which will make their lives and their work more comfortable.

The first course will last for two years. After that time, a second group, probably comprising 40 people, will be chosen. After the first group completes the two-year training period, they will each be eligible to farm their own two hectares near, but separate from, the model farm land. Eventually it is hoped that this settlement will serve as a nucleus for the development of the entire Gahtelay region.

In the near future, there are plans to build permanent housing on the hillscape and build community revolving around the farm. In this manner, a community of 300 families can eventually live and work in the area and sustain themselves. The community is expected to reach this number after approximately six cycles of courses - 12 years. It is estimated that there will be enough water for this size community.

The advantage of the course participants farming their own two hectares near the farm will be the ability to share expensive farm equipment. It is not financially feasible for a small farmer to buy a tractor or other expensive, but necessary equipment. However, past course participants will have the ability to rent this equipment from the farm.

It is hoped that the farmers will be joined by their families. If a course participant is not able to completely manage a farm on his own, he can still assist the community. For example, he can be trained as a mechanic, electrician or nurse. In this way, the basis for the community will be built.

It is hoped that within two years, the farm will be self-sustaining. After the sixth cycle of course participants, the farm will continue to train people in modern farming skills, but will send the course participants to other areas to work.

Of course, several questions remain. What is so special about this farm? What will they possibly be able to grow there? What do they plan to do with these crops once they are harvested?

Because Gahtelay is not located in a large market, aside from water considerations, shelf-life was an important consideration in choosing which crops and types of seeds to plant. The aim is to introduce fruits and vegetables which do not already exist in Eritrea, and improve one or two varieties that are currently produced.

Israeli seeds were chosen, since the air and soil conditions are similar to those for which they were developed. The farmers will grow cucumbers, bell peppers (red and green) and melons and use Israeli hybrids to grow seedless watermelons, better zucchinis and tomatoes. The course participants will monitor the sales and progress of the crops, and will be able to change, add, or delete crops for the future.

A benefit of weather conditions at Gahtelay is that the crops will actually grow faster than usual. Instead of 90 days necessary for tomatoes and melons to grow, they will be ready in 75 days. Zucchini will take 40 days instead of the customary 45-50 days. Therefore, the farmers will be able to adjust their crops to the market, and bring their crops to the market-place when there are shortages.

The longer shelf-life associated with these new crops will be important not only for transporting the crops within Eritrea itself, but also will enable their export. The crops will also have tougher skins, allowing the vegetable to stay fresh for export. Discussions for export are already underway. If the farmers at Gahtelay are successful with crop sales within Eritrea and exports, profits after expenses are met will be divided among the community.

After the first successful harvests are accomplished, there are plans to build similar farms in other Eritrean locations. The melons, cucumbers and zucchini that we eat in the Spring will probably be from Gahtelay!