Given the magnitude of the problem associated with forestry and soil and water conservation and environmental issues which are directly related to the development and management of forest resources, it is recognized by the Government, that one of the possible ways to tackle the problems of soil degradation, fuel wood/construction wood crisis and natural heritage and terrestrial biological diversity at an acceptable cost is to work in collaboration with regional and international organizations.
Apart from the MOA planting programme, most formal afforestation and conservation was carried out in collaboration with different international governmental and non-governmental organizations. In addition, among the sectoral programs and projects undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture with regard to the overall conservation and afforestation activities in co-operation with international governmental and non-governmental organisations include projects on indigenous trees and shrubs; on-farm agro-forestry trials in highland Eritrea; community-based road-side tree planting; afforestation and soil conservation; assessment and management of riverine forest; and integrated watershed development. The international governmental and non-governmental organisations have included: EU, DANIDA, SOS Sahel, World Vision International, Grass Root International.
FAO has worked in partnership with MOA of Eritrea in identifying an investment project for forestry and wildlife sector by improving information and in strengthening institutions responsible for the implementation of programme by providing technical assistance, training their staff and providing equipment.
The Forestry Research Division works in collaborating with international organisations such as CSIRO, ICRAF, and DFSC.
The National Tree Seed Centre of Eritrea is supported by DANIDA and FAO. It could also benefit from collaborating in the network of National Tree Seed Centres operating in our region like Ethiopia, The Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, which, is supported by UNESCO and DANIDA and receive technical backstopping by DANIDA Forest Seed Centre. Technical collaboration between the centres are co-ordinated through annual meetings.
