Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa, is blessed with a unique climate and geography favorable for horticultural farming. In the midst of its predominantly arid and semi-arid landscape, the country has made great strides in developing this sector. Horticulture plays an important role in food security, employment generation, and economic growth. This piece elaborates on Eritrea’s horticulture, e.g., major crops, major challenges, governmental efforts, success stories, statistics, and prospects for future development.

Horticulture is of vital importance to Eritrea’s food security, employment, and economic development.

Eritrea grows a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers.

Major constraints include water shortages, limited access to high-quality seeds, infestation by pests, and underdeveloped market infrastructure.

Government policies are centered on the development of irrigation, subsidies, and market development.

Success stories, such as the Himbol Cooperative and Amanuel Tesfay, illustrate the potential for transformation of the sector.

Horticulture provides 25% of agricultural jobs and has achieved 15% growth in exports during the past decade.

Additional irrigation facilities, promoting organic farming, and setting up agro-processing industries can further develop Eritrea’s horticulture sector.

Horticulture has been a significant component of Eritrean agriculture for centuries as it is well established in the country’s agricultural culture. Farmers in Eritrea have, over generations, cultivated a variety of crops including citrus fruits, dates, and vegetables using methods honed over centuries. Despite the constraints of an arid and semi-arid environment, horticulture has remained one of the pillars of agricultural production, supporting food security and rural incomes.

Agriculture is still a mainstay of the Eritrean economy today, employing a significant portion of the population. Horticulture, in particular, is a source of essential nutrition, farmers’ income, and foreign exchange income. According to government figures, agriculture accounts for roughly 17% of Eritrea’s GDP, and horticulture is a major factor in ensuring food production and economic stability.

Eritrea has been bestowed with tremendous agricultural potential, comprising approximately 2.1 million hectares of land suitable for rain-fed agriculture and another 600,000 hectares available for irrigation. As of 2021, nearly 500,000 hectares were under cultivation, of which the majority (93%) utilized modified rain-fed agriculture and only 7% had access to the luxuries of irrigation facilities.

Eritrea has attained significant development in fruit and vegetable farming over the past few decades.

Fruit Farming: The fruit farms occupied merely 192 hectares of land in 1991. The land utilization boosted incredibly to 5,000 hectares in the year 2022—a 26-fold expansion. This signifies the strategic intention of the nation to boost the output of fruits to enhance both local consumption and export opportunities.

Vegetable Farming: Vegetable farming has also grown tremendously. Whereas vegetable farming took up 4,731 hectares in 1991, in 2022 the land area had grown four times to 18,000 hectares. This expansion is a reflection of Eritrea’s commitment to increasing the variety of agricultural production, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce to the domestic population, and consolidating its market share.

Herbs and Spices:Although precise statistics for the production of herbs and spices—such as coriander, mint, basil, and chili peppers—are not available, these crops remain an important part of Eritrean agriculture and cuisine.

The continued development of horticulture in Eritrea demonstrates the country’s resilience and determination to maximize its agricultural resources. With ongoing investments in irrigation, modern farming techniques, and market access, horticulture remains a vital sector that can drive economic growth, improve food security, and create new opportunities for Eritrean farmers.

Eritrea is famous for several significant agricultural produce that are consumed in both the local cuisine and economy:

Teff: A staple cereal that is used to make injera, a traditional flatbread, teff is a central component of Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine.

Prickly Pear Cactus (Beles): While widespread in the region, this fruit is particularly associated with the town of Segeneiti and is widely consumed, thus being a local specialty.

Niger Seed (Noug): Cultivated for its seeds and edible oil, niger seed is a cash crop of commercial significance in Eritrea.

These crops are not just dietary staples but also carry cultural significance and export potential.

Despite the potential, the horticulture sector in Eritrea faces some serious challenges:

1. Water Scarcity and Climate Change– Rainfall uncertainty and long droughts have a severe impact on crop yields. Poor irrigation facilities further exacerbate water scarcity.
2. Limited Access to Quality Seeds and Inputs– Farmers often have inadequate access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Lack of improved varieties of seeds reduces productivity and pest and disease resistance.
3. Pest and Disease Management-Fruit flies, aphids, and bacterial diseases are the most significant threats.The majority of farmers lack the knowledge and resources to manage pests effectively.
4. Poor Infrastructure and Market Access– Poor infrastructure of roads and storage facilities discourages farmers from transporting their produce to markets easily. Lack of cold storage and processing facilities results in high post-harvest losses.
5. Limited Research and Extension Services– Research and development in the field of agriculture in Eritrea is still in the developmental phase, and extension services barely reach the farmers. Knowledge transfer of modern horticulture practices is limited.

Recognizing the importance of horticulture, Eritrea’s government has taken several steps to support farmers and encourage production:

1. Expansion of Irrigation: Investment in small-scale irrigation projects is intended to reduce over-dependence on rainwater.
2. Subsidized Farm Inputs: The government provides farmers with subsidized fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides.
3. Training and Extension Services: Farmers are educated under different programs on improved farming practices, pest control measures, and water conservation.
4. Market Development Initiatives: Policies are focused on expanding both local and foreign trade to improve market access for Eritrean horticultural products.

Several farmers and cooperatives have demonstrated the potential for growth in Eritrea’s horticulture.

• Himbol Cooperative’s Transformation- The Himbol Cooperative is a remarkable success story in Eritrea’s horticultural sector. The cooperative, located in the central highlands, transformed wasteland into a successful farm center. Through drip irrigation and organic farming techniques, the cooperative was able to significantly increase its crop yield, doubling fruit and vegetable production by 40% within five years. The cooperative has also set an example for other farm associations, demonstrating the necessity of sustainable farm methods and collective efforts. Their success in the cooperative relies mostly on government support, exposure to training, and investment in water-saving technology.
• Amanuel Tesfay’s Greenhouse Farming- Amanuel Tesfay, a farmer in the Zoba Maekel zone, is one such success story. With the training Amanuel received in government-sponsored programs, he diversified from conventional agriculture to high-value crops such as tomatoes and bell peppers grown under glass. Supported by advanced agriculture techniques, Amanuel’s farm was a booming enterprise, producing for local markets and hotels. Amanuel’s farm employed an additional 15 people from his village as well, revealing the potential of smallholder farmers in generating jobs and energizing rural economies via horticultural innovation. The above experience emphasizes the potency of training initiatives and access to upgraded techniques of agriculture in transforming livelihoods in the countryside.

Despite the present difficulties, Eritrea’s horticulture industry has tremendous potential for development. Opportunities in this regard include:

1. Expansion of Irrigation Infrastructure- Investment in high-tech irrigation facilities, i.e., drip and sprinkler irrigation, can enhance water efficiency and enable round-year production.
2. Promotion of Organic Farming- Eritrea can build a prosperous organic farming industry that can fetch premium prices in the international market.
3. Development of Agro-Processing Industries- Food processing factories can be set up to minimize post-harvest losses and increase the value of horticultural crops.
4. Strengthening Research and Innovation- Enhancing agricultural research institutions can lead to improved seed varieties, climate-resistant crops, and better pest control methods.
5. Export Potential- Eritrea’s strategic location on the Red Sea offers access to Middle Eastern and European markets, providing valuable export opportunities.

Eritrea’s horticultural sector has excellent potential to lead economic development, create employment, and ensure food security. By addressing some of the key challenges of water constraints, infrastructure deficiency, and market access, the country can unlock further growth in this important sector. With proper investment, policy coordination, and farmers’ empowerment, horticulture can become a key driver of sustainable agricultural development in Eritrea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are Eritrea’s main horticultural crops?

Eritrea grows an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and herbs like mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, and herbs like coriander, mint, and basil. A few of the staple crops include Teff, Prickly Pear (Beles), and Niger seed (Noug), all of which contribute to local diets and the economy.

2. What are some of Eritrea’s issues in their horticultural industry?

Eritrea’s horticulture sector is faced with problems such as scarcity of water, poor availability of quality seeds, pests, lack of infrastructure, and poor research and extension services. All these problems stifle the full exploitation of the sector’s potential but are being addressed through government interventions.

3. How has the government helped the horticulture sector in Eritrea?

The Eritrean government has undertaken a number of initiatives, including the expansion of irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides subsidies, farmers’ training, and the development of markets. All these are attempts at boosting production, productivity, and market access.

4. What are Eritrea’s most significant development opportunities in horticulture?

There are several opportunities for growth in Eritrea’s horticulture sector, including expanding irrigation infrastructure, promoting organic farming, developing agro-processing industries, strengthening research and innovation, and enhancing export potential, especially through Eritrea’s strategic location along the Red Sea.

5. Can organic farming become a major sector in Eritrea’s agriculture?

Yes, Eritrea is able to build a successful organic farming sector. With the increasing global demand for organic produce, Eritrea can capitalize on this market by promoting sustainable farming practices and exporting high-value organic crops. 

6. What are some success stories in Eritrean horticulture?

Some of these success stories are Himbol Cooperative, which transformed a barren land into a fertile farm through drip irrigation and organic farming. Another successful conversion was achieved by Amanuel Tesfay, a farmer in Zoba Maekel, into greenhouse cultivation of high-value tomatoes and bell peppers for supply to hotels and local markets.

7. How has the fruit and vegetable sector developed in Eritrea?

The cultivation of fruits and vegetables in Eritrea has seen increased growth. Fruit cultivation, for example, rose from just 192 hectares in 1991 to 5,000 hectares in 2022, and vegetable cultivation from 4,731 hectares to 18,000 hectares during the same period. This growth reflects the ambition of Eritrea to enhance agricultural production for both local consumption and export.