Ethiopia’s Tigray region awards hundreds of farmers
By Tesfa-alem Tekle
March 23, 2009 (MEKELLE) — Ethiopia’s northern Tigray state on Saturday rewarded 366 outstanding Farmers whom it called development heroes.
The award ceremony was held at the regional capital, Mekelle in the presence of regional governor and other top government officials.
The awardees which included local farmers, development agents, investors and other partners have received certificates of recognition, medals and Trophies from the hands of Tsegay Berhe, Tigray region president.
During the ceremony, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has conveyed congratulatory message via live video transmission to the awardees gathered at the town’s martyr’s assembly hall.
“We are proud of you. You are development heroes” Meles recognized the farmers.
“Beyond the victory it achieved in toppling the repressive and tyrant Derg regime, the people of Tigray have now witnessed another major victory in development.” The prime minister under scored. “You are double heroes,” he lauded them.
Meles appreciated the Tigray farmers for their tremendous and coordinated campaign they took in reforesting and greening the long denuded hillsides and mountains of the region, in 40 days of free labor to what Meles called was “miracle”.
Tigray state president, Tsegay Berhe said that his government would further extend its support to the farmers to ensure more achievement.
He called on the awarded farmers to repeat such achievement and advice other farmers to follow their footsteps.
Some of the awarded farmers told Sudan Tribune that they have secured over 2 million Birr. (nearly 200,000 USD) capital.
They witnessed that government’s continuous support and the attention it gave to the agricultural sector and a productive policy it follows are the reason to their success.
During the past few years Ethiopia has awarded thousands of farmers in regional and national level.
This approach has created a healthy and competitive atmosphere between Ethiopian farmers and every year the initiative is bringing hundreds of new farmers to the “development heroes” level.
(ST)