An export oriented Banana and Tomato Processing Factory (BanaTom) located in Alebu, Haikota sub zone, was inaugurated on the 19th of August 2008. The factory is expected to reduce the gap between the national import and export rate, create job opportunities and provide market to the farmers in the area.<\div>

During the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Georgis Teklemichael said that the factory has a split production line for banana and tomato. It would process banana for eight months and tomato for three months.

The factory is located in Alebu because of the fertile land and the farmers in the area mainly produce banana and tomato. BanaTom, would provide market to the farmers who used to travel long distance to sell their products. Setting up the factory in Alebu would also help in promoting equitable economic growth, social justice and introducing modern farming system in remote areas.

The Factory is owned by the Government of Eritrea and an Italian investor, Mr. Catili.

Regarding the standard and quality of production, a sample of the Factory’s production was sent abroad and was found to meet international standards.

The Administrator of the Gash Barka Region, Mr. Kahsay Gebrehiwet, stated that the factory would provide additional impetus to the development and modernization pace in the area. He called on the farmers to strive for competitive output and benefit from the opportunity.

The Factory has opened job opportunities for 170 people. There are more than 8,000 residents in Alebu, most of them returnees from the Sudan.

The BanaTom Factory, which was constructed by an Italian Firm, CFT, is expected to go operational in the coming 18 months.

Regarding market for the factory, Mrs. Mariana Ruggeri, an Italian agronomist, said that the products of the factory have achieved recognition in the world market and it would easily be competitive. She also stated that the bananas and tomatoes are grown using modern techniques and has passed local and foreign quality control tests. Mrs. Mariana has been supervising the products for a year.

The factory carries out activities that ensure hygiene and good quality produce through modern electronic equipment. It has also the advantage of getting the required raw materials readily available from the nearby.

The Ministry of Agriculture has supplied farmers with quality banana and tomato seedlings, modern farming equipment and insecticides.

Mr. Teklit Kflom, a farmer from Alebu said, “We often worried about getting market and transportation. It cost much effort and money. Much of our tomato production used to get spoiled while being transported. Now, this would not happen any more; we have been eagerly waiting for such an opportunity.”

Another farmer, Mr. Ali Ahmed, also said that many people are now encouraged to raise tomatoes because they get market in their area. “We used to travel to Keren and Asmara to sell our products and often we faced bankruptcy. Now, for the farmers here, there is nothing more encouraging than the establishment of the plant,” he said.

Compiled by Filmon Yemane

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