Ethiopia has lost about USD 25 million USD from the horticulture sub-sector since the outbreak of the global COVID-19.
Ethiopian Horticulture Producer-Exporters Association (EHPEA) Executive Director, Tewodros Zewdie said even if “detail appraisals are going on, preliminary assessments show that about USD 25 million has been compromised or lost due to COVID-19.”
The months February and May are considered peak season for flower export, he stated, adding that “we can (therefore) say that this year’s peak season has been compromised a lot. But we are exerting relentless efforts to minimize the impact and not to lay off workers.”
According to him, “a number of adverse impacts have been observed in the horticulture supply chain after the advent of Coronavirus pandemic.”
Moreover, “we are dealing with perishable products that should be on the shelves of supermarkets as soon as possible. This requires smart perishable logistics and at the same time free movement of goods from one border to the other,” the executive director elaborated. (ENA)
PM, President inaugurate Meki-Ziway irrigation development project
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki on Monday inaugurated the 292 million birr Meki-Ziway Irrigation Development Project.
Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, President of Oromia Regional State, Shimelis Abdisa and other federal and regional senior official were also present.
The Meki-Ziway Irrigation Development Project, located in Oromia Regional State, is expected to develop 2,000 hectare of land and make 2,700 households beneficiaries.
Up on the completion of its expansion works, the Meki-Ziway Irrigation Development Project has a potential to develop 15,000 hectares.
The project was constructed by Oromia Water Works Enterprise with an outlay of 292 million birr.
Abiy said that the government will work to double the productive capacity of farmers in a single harvesting season by promoting agricultural technologies.
He noted that the government will invigorate wide range of support to encourage farmers to develop irrigational schemes.
Abiy added that this year the government will provide 10,000 modern water pumps to improve agricultural productivity of the framers. (ENA)
Indore to groom Bahir Dar in waste management
Indore has been selected to assist Bahir Dar in implementing solid waste management system.
India’s cleanest city has been selected for this task as part of ‘Waste Wise Cities Campaign” proposed under UN-Habitat Program.
Indore Municipal Corporation commissioner Rajneesh Kasera said that they would be providing assistance to Bahir Dar.
“This program is meant to clean up and establish sustainable waste management practices in 20 cities around the world by 2022,” Kasera told the Times of India.
He said that applications were invited from different cities to apply either as changemaker city- taking up the challenges or as supporter city, assisting a changemaker City (civic and technical twinning)
“We have adapted best possible practices in solid waste management on basis of which, we have decided to go for the second option.” he said.
“This programme would not only help us share our best practices with other cities but also bring opportunities for us to learn and improvise for future need,” he said. (TOI)
Ethiopian introduces digital services to cargo customers
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest aviation group in Africa, has introduced a mobile application and chatbot-assisted shipment tracking service to elevate cargo customers’ experience.
In a press release issued by the airline, the mobile app, which is now available for both Android and iOS, will bring convenience to Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services customers through a range of self-service features including checking flight schedule, cargo tracking and charter requests at the swipe of a finger.
The Ethiopian Chatbot enables customers to access up-to-date information and track their shipment on Messenger and Telegram, it was indicated.
“As a customer-centric airline, we always seek ways to better serve our customers and bring more digital options to their fingertips,” Group Integrated Marketing Communications Director at Ethiopian, Miretab Teklaye said.
“The newly unveiled cargo mobile app and chatbot-assisted cargo tracking service will bring convenience for our customers allowing them to access real-time updates about their shipments and to process their charter requests,” he added. (Press Release)
