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18 January 2007
Addis Ababa, (WIC) - State Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development disclosed that the Paprika Pepper Production and Export Pilot Project underway in Lanforo woreda of Silite zone,SNNP State, has proved successful.
Speaking at a discussion held in the zone to evaluate the annual progress of the project,State Minister Dr. Abera Derressa said high quality and quantity production of such export items could play a vital role in speedily meeting the rural development endeavors underway in the country.
To this end,he called on farmers,development agents and other stake holders to actively participate in the Poverty Reduction Program designed by the government through intensifying production of export produces.
The UN International Trade Center (UNITC) assisted Promotion of Paprika Pepper Production and Export Pilot Project in Lanforo Woreda of Silte Zone is one of the five sectors of Ethiopian Poverty Reduction Program (EPRP) underway,it was learnt.
In a paper he presented on the occasion, Advisor of the pilot project,Eshetayehu Teferi said the result from 330 model farmers in four kebeles of the woreda who used the paprika pepper developed by the Ethiopian Select Seeds Enterprise indicated that it is high yielding in small plots of land.
According to him,the model farmers have produced 9.3 quintals of pepper per hectare and it is further expected to yield 19 quintals in the future while farmers so far used to harvest five to eight quintals of 'fana-mareqo' pepper per hectare.
He further indicated that intensifying the paprika production would further be strengthened as the demand in the international market is high.
Farmers embraced in the pilot project on their part stated that their livelihood has improved as they are now able to produce twice in a year and added that farmers in the neighboring kebeles have realized the advantages of the seed and started producing paprika.
Ethiopian Poverty Reduction Program Coordinator with UNITC Fabrice Leclercq on his part said ITC is working on promotion of paprika,coffee,textile and garment, among others and would do its level best to help Ethiopian produces penetrate the international market.
In a related development,ITC has donated two power generators and two water pumps valued at close to one million birr to the project.
After receiving the donation,Dr. Abera said the generators and pumps would help to the effective execution of the pilot project.
Source: www.waltainfo.com