Negash May 11, 2026
Over the past 35 years of independence, Eritrea has made remarkable progress in transforming its agricultural sector through sustained investment in water resource development; soil and water conservation, and livestock production. These achievements, realized through the Government’s own efforts and in collaboration with development partners, have played a decisive role in improving food security, strengthening rural livelihoods, and enhancing the resilience of farming communities across the country.
One of the most significant accomplishments has been the extensive construction of water reservoirs throughout Eritrea. At the time of independence in 1991, the country had only about 130 dams. Today, that number has increased more than sixfold to approximately 850 water reservoirs. These include large strategic dams, medium-sized reservoirs and micro-dams.
The expansion of water infrastructure has had far-reaching benefits. In a country characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions and highly vulnerable to recurrent drought and desertification, water harvesting has become a cornerstone of national development policy. The reservoirs have ensured reliable water supplies for domestic public use, livestock, and also for irrigation contributing significantly to agricultural production.
These reservoirs have helped increase vegetable production by more than six times and fruit production by over 71 times compared to the early years of independence. Farmers in all regions of the country attest to the transformative impact of the dams, noting that they have enabled the establishment of new farms, expanded irrigated agriculture, and substantially improved household incomes and living standards.
The success in water resource development is closely linked to Eritrea’s comprehensive soil and water conservation programs. Recognizing that land degradation and water scarcity posed major threats to agricultural productivity, the Government and people of Eritrea made conservation work a national priority. Over the past 35 years, more than 293,000 hectares of agricultural land and over 135,000 hectares of catchment areas have been rehabilitated through terracing, and other conservation measures. In addition, check dams with a total volume exceeding 6.2 million cubic meters have been constructed to control erosion, enhance groundwater recharge, and reduce sedimentation in reservoirs.
Parallel to these achievements in water development, Eritrea has also registered substantial progress in livestock production and animal health. Livestock is an essential component of the agricultural sector, providing meat, milk, eggs, honey, draft power, and income for rural households. Since independence, the Government has undertaken comprehensive programs to improve animal health, increase productivity, and expand access to modern livestock technologies.
A major breakthrough has been the establishment of compulsory vaccination programs to control endemic livestock diseases. Since 2013, around 2.5 million animals have been vaccinated annually against diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep and Goat Pox, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and Foot and Mouth Disease. Beginning in 2025, the vaccination campaign was significantly expanded, covering more than 6 million livestock and poultry. As a result, disease outbreaks and animal mortality have been reduced to minimal levels, greatly improving herd health and productivity.
The poultry sector has also experienced extraordinary growth. At independence, poultry production was largely limited to traditional village-based poultry keeping systems; and was practiced by relatively few households. To promote modern poultry systems, the Government began importing improved parent-stock breeds, multiplying them locally, and distributing day-old chicks to farmers and households. During the past 35 years, approximately 113,000 parent-stock chickens have been imported, and more than 8 million day-old chicks have been distributed to beneficiaries across the country.
This intervention has enabled thousands of families—particularly women and youth—to engage in poultry production as a source of income and nutrition. The increased availability of eggs and poultry meat has made an important contribution to improving household food security and dietary diversity.
Beekeeping is another area where notable progress has been achieved. In 1991, Eritrea had an estimated 19,000 bee colonies. Through targeted extension services and the introduction of improved hive technologies, this number has grown to more than 46,000 colonies. Traditional hives are gradually being replaced by more efficient modern frame hives and top-bar hives. Currently, 51 percent of colonies are managed using modern frame hives, 41 percent remain in traditional hives, and 8 percent use top-bar hives.
As a result of these improvements, honey production has expanded to all regions of the country. Increased supply has made honey more accessible to consumers, with prices declining by more than half compared to the early 1990s. At the same time, beekeeping has become an increasingly important source of supplementary income for rural households and an environmentally sustainable agricultural enterprise.
Taken together, the achievements in water reservoir construction and livestock development illustrate Eritrea’s long-term commitment to building a resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector. By investing in critical infrastructure, conserving natural resources, and strengthening animal production systems, the country has laid a strong foundation for sustainable agricultural growth.
These accomplishments have not only boosted production but have also improved the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists throughout the nation. Reliable water supplies, healthier livestock, and expanded opportunities in poultry and beekeeping have increased incomes, enhanced nutrition, and strengthened food security.
As Eritrea celebrates 35 years of independence, these milestones stand as clear evidence of what can be achieved through visionary leadership, community participation, and unwavering national determination. The progress registered over the past three and a half decades provides a solid platform for further advances in agricultural development and for ensuring a more prosperous future for all Eritreans.
