Eritrea, located in eastern Africa has been described as one of the World’s ten poorest countries.  The incidence of drought, nomadic grazing systems and a subsistence based grain production system are but a few of the challenges facing the country.

Australians tonight will know where their next meal is coming from.  For many Eritrean village families they will be reliant upon food aid for the next 6 months, having consumed the limited grain they produced from the last harvest.

Eritrea however is being proactive in its approach to achieving national food security and freedom from food aid.  In a bold move, the Government of Eritrea in 2006 established a new College of Agriculture in a remote area of Eritrea.  The primary role of the College is to produced trained agricultural technical specialists, who will work with village communities and new agricultural developments throughout Eritrea.

The development of the College has been supported through the work of Rural Solutions SA Principal Consultant Mr Jay Cummins and University of Adelaide’s Chair of Sustainable Agriculture Professor David Coventry.

“The College of Agriculture has limited information resources to support student learning.  By providing support to the College through donated publications, it will have a major impact on student learning”, according to Jay Cummins. 

“As a result, an appeal was recently launched, where donated items will be packed and despatched to Eritrea” said Jay. 

From now through to March 23rd items such as agricultural, horticultural and land management text books, references, extension and scientific publications, and equipment (suited to supporting student practical classes) will be received.  Donated goods will then be packed into a shipping container, and despatched direct to the College of Agriculture in Eritrea.

All items can be packed into boxes and despatched to our central collection point.  As funding is limited, donors need to cover cost of forwarding the goods to us.

Please clearly label your goods as follows;
ERITREA AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
C/O- ROSEWORTHY FARMER INFORMATION CENTRE,
ROSEWORTHY CAMPUS, ROSEWORTHY SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5371

For further information, please contact Jay Cummins 0418 818 995 cummins.jay@saugov.sa.gov.au