Borana Zone Expands Animal Feed Production Across 600,000 Hectares

Addis Ababa ,June 19/2024(ENA)- The Borana Zone of Oromia Regional State has made significant strides in developing over 600,000 hectares of land for animal feed production, providing a crucial resource for pastoralists and bolstering the region's resilience.

The Oromia Agriculture Bureau's Head, Getu Gemechu, and other officials visited the animal feed development project in Elwoye Woreda, Borana Zone, where over 63,000 hectares of land have been dedicated to forage production. 

This initiative is part of a broader program launched in four Oromia zones, including Borana, to improve grasslands and pastures.

Over the past three years, this program has covered more than 106,000 hectares with forage across the region. 

In response to the drought that occurred last year, the Oromia Regional Government has further expanded forage development to a total of 750,000 hectares.

Tolera Debela, the Deputy Head of the Oromia Agriculture Bureau, stated that the goal is to develop forage across 7 million hectares of land, providing 7,000 improved forage seeds to mid-altitude and lowland areas throughout Oromia.

"We are developing forage in total area of seven million hectare of lands by providing 7000 improved forage seed in mid-altitude and lowlands across Oromia"

The Deputy Head of the Borana Zone Agriculture Bureau, Tariku Aschenaki, revealed that the zone has planned to develop forage on 600,000 hectares, with the aim of producing 1.2 million bales. 

Currently, forage development is underway in five woredas within the zone, and a forage bank has been established with 43,000 bales stored for emergency use.

The project is believed to improve the livelihood of pastoralist community in the areas.

After concluding a media tour of Western Oromia, the Deputy Head of the Oromia Communication Bureau, Eshetu Sirnessa, stated that the regional government remains committed to upholding its promises of ensuring peace and fostering development.

He further explained that three zones in the Wollega region, as well as four zones in Guji and Borana, which had previously grappled with instability, are now actively engaged in a variety of economic development initiatives.

"If our community continues to strengthen its efforts to accelerate development, we will soon be able to realize our goals of building a resilient community," he added