5. TRAINING AND RESEARCH CAPACITY BUILDING AND REINFORCEMENT

Forestry research, at the Department of Agricultural Research and Human Resources Development (DARHRD), started in 1994 with the first field experiments established in 1995. More recently DARHRD had established Forestry Research Division with the following main components: National Tree Seed Project (NTSP), Silviculture and tree improvement research and Agroforestry research and demonstration.

The following are highlights of previous and on-going forestry research activities:

• Species elimination trials with some 20 potentially useful indigenous and exotic species have been established at five locations (Merhano, Halhale, Adikeih, Shambuko, and Ghinda) since 1995.
• Experiments focusing on evaluation of several Eucalyptus sp. and provenances have been established at three locations (Merhano, Adi keih and Halhale) since 1996.
• A trial of Gliricidia sepium provenances supplied by the Oxford Forestry Institute was established at Halhale location in 1995. Trials of Cordia africana (3 local provenances) at Halhale and Acacia senegal (17 provenances) at Shambuko have been established since 1997.
• A fodder species trial with Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, and Sesbania sesban was established at Halhale location in 1996.
• Spacing and crop performance trial with Cordia africana and Jacaranda mimosifolia was established at Halhale in 1995.
• The first agroforestry research/demonstration trial was established at Halhale in 1996 with Cajanus cajan and the commonly planted crops in that area (wheat/barley and pulses). Alley cropping trial with Leucaena leucocephala at Halhale and adaptation potential of tree planting on field boundaries and terrace hedges at Halibmentel were also established in 1998.
• Nursery studies on seed pretreatment, germination, seedling pot sizes for six commercially important indigenous species have been conducted at Bietghiorgis nursery (near Asmara) since 1995.
• Broadening the range of potentially useful indigenous and exotic species like Leucaena leucocephala, Sesbania sesban, Acacia saliga, Acacia etbaica, Acacia polyacantha Chamaecytisus palmensis, Grevillea robusta, Albizzia lophanta, Casuarina cristata, Casuarina glauca, Desmanthus vulgatus, Moringa oleifera etc. were included in the trials established during 1996 and 1997.

Development of National Medium-Term Operational Plan for Agricultural Research (Owino, 1998)

Eritrea has developed its “Medium-Term Operational Plan for Agricultural Research” (MTOP) for both short-term (1997-2000) and medium-term (2001-2003) period. This document identifies priority research activities and elaborates their implementation plans. According to this document, the priority areas identified for forestry research are ranked as follows:

Table 7. Ranking of Forestry and Agro forestry Research Areas in the Medium Term Operational Plans for Forestry Research Division

Rank	Research area
1	Biodiversity and germplasm maintenance of endangered tree species
2	Participatory Agroforestry Survey and Trials
3	Alley cropping trials for Pigeon pea, Gliricidia sepium and Sesbania sesban
4	Establishment and management of plantations
5	Forestry Species Elimination/Provenance Trials (and identification of alternative species for fuelwood)
6	Effects of insecticide applications on the survival rate of Eucalyptus spp. in semi-arid and arid lowland areas.
7	Trials of seedling, nursery management and transplanting methods
8	Germination of indigenous species
9	Silvicultural performance trials for Central Highland Zone
10	Survey of fuel wood supply and consumption

In addition to the above, other important areas for forestry/agroforestry research identified in MTOP as important but which were not ranked include:-

• On-farm research on Acacia senegal production
• The role of trees and shrub species in stabilizing spate irrigation systems
• Participatory management of natural forests and bushland
• Regeneration and management of Doum Palm
• Evaluation of Faidherbia albida at Sub-Zoba level
• Effects of Eucalyptus plantations on soils
• Yield and stand table development for selected species

Research Needs for Effective Reforestation of Degraded Lands

The country is already experiencing setbacks in its mass tree planting campaigns. Some of this is due to mismatching of species to sites but some of the setbacks are due to imperfections in the methods of tree establishment and management in the juvenile periods. For example, research that could make improvement to the physiological vigour of seedlings, including the most appropriate root symbionts, prior to field planting could make huge differences in tree survival rates and growth. Research on tree tending techniques such as drip irrigation, micro-catchment, fertilization, etc. could greatly improved tree survival and growth performance, particularly in the drier parts of the country. Yet these aspects do not feature prominently in the priorities defined in Medium-Term Operational Plan for Agricultural Research (MTOP).

Research on the Conservation of Biodiversity and Endangered Species

This area is accorded the highest priority in the MTOP. It is, no doubt a very important area of national development concern. However, it appears unlikely that DARHRD will develop national comparative research advantage in this field. Thus, its high priority status for DARHRD is misplaced. An important research aspect in which DARHRD could make quick progress concerns the regeneration of natural forests and woodlands. Even for this narrow topic, DARHRD needs to develop research activities in collaboration with institutions like the University of Asmara for additional expertise, which is not likely to be realised at DARHRD within the period of the plan.

At present, emphasis should be on communicating already available information on seed collection, pre-treatment and storage procedures to the nurseries. The first priority must be to ensure high seed quality through proper seed collection and handling. Secondly, germination and quality problems of important species, which may prevent optimum seed utilization should be investigated. But as the need for training and extension services is very large, it is not realistic for NTSP with the present staff level to be engaged in more than very limited research activities. However, through the interaction with nursery staff, problems that cannot be solved by standard seed procedures may be identified and then investigated later when resources are available (Moestrup and Thomsen, 1998).