92. The Government‟s national poverty elimination policy and its highly focused interventions
targeting rural communities have improved the living standards of all Eritreans, especially
those that were left behind. The MDG targets pertaining to extreme poverty and hunger are
also achieved. Supporting data are expected to be available as soon as the statistical system is
readied and proper surveys undertaken.
93. As shown in the table below, it is estimated that the yearly average demand of cereals
(indicated by the ascending horizontal line in the following Graph) in Eritrea in the last 17
years ranged from about 220,000 tons in 1999 to 310,000 tons in 2015 (an average growth of
2.72% yearly). The supply (zigzag line in the graph) fluctuated from a minimum of about
70,000 tons (2002 during the drought period) to the highest of 510,000 tons in 2014.
Vegetable and fruit production also progressively increased from 119,061 tons in 1999 to
288,700 tons in 2014 at an average of 85,000 tons per year (the production in 1992 and 1998
was 42579 and 74925 respectively). Furthermore, livestock development, poultry production,
milk and other necessities also progressed significantly contributing to the above effort.
133.
The Government has also made significant investment in the structural transformation of
agriculture. This has encompassed diversification agricultural productivity, mechanization of
agriculture, resort to irrigation schemes and technology, creating food chain, introduction of
post-harvest pricing and management, and building national capacity. In the last 17 years
4,544,316 tons of cerelas (average of 267,313 tons/year), 3,258,914 tons of vegetables
(average of 203,682 tons/year), and 1,293,293 tons of fruits (average of 80,830
tons/year), were produced; total average annual production is estimated at 535,090 tons.
The social indicator of 2.0 quintal calorie/person/year taken as a measure of availability
of food and nutrition value, this ideally covers about 73% - 75% of the demand (3.7
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