INTRODUCTION Gogne RDP is a rural development programme being implemented to support agricultural production and water conservation and development in the low-lying Gash Barka region of Eritrea’s south-west.
LOCATION Gogne RDP is located in the low-lying south-west of Eritrea in Gash Barka, a region with a population of more than 500,000 people.
ECONOMY Subsistence agriculture and animal husbandry are the two main economic activities in the district. Although sometimes described as ‘the breadbasket’ of Eritrea, changing climate affects food production in many parts of Gash Barka, including Gogne. The region is estimated to have over 3.5 million livestock, including many camels. Gash Barka is also know for its marble mines.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE The objective of the Gogne RDP is to improve crop and livestock production and create food self sufficiency for 3,280 rural households in the project area, and to increase the productivity of crop and livestock farmers by introducing water conservation and catchment water harvesting schemes.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES The primary focus of the project is to improve agricultural productivity by strengthening farm extension services, improving timely access to good quality seed, and promotion of water harvesting to support horticultural production amongst 3,280 households.
The project is also supporting the development of alternate farming enterprise and off-farm activities including milk and butter production and marketing of farm produce, while savings and credit activities are supporting farm households to rear poultry and undertake other income generating activities.
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