Editing Economy of Eritrea (section)

===Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing===
{{see also|Agriculture in Eritrea}}
In 2004, [[agriculture]] employed nearly 80 percent of the population but accounted for only 12.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in Eritrea. The agricultural sector has improved with the use of modern farming equipment and techniques, and dams. Nevertheless, it is compromised by a lack of financial services and investment. Major agricultural products are [[sorghum]], [[barley]], [[beans]], [[dairy products]], [[lentil]]s, [[meat]], [[millet]], [[Skinning|leather]], [[teff]], and [[wheat]]. The displacement of 1 million Eritreans as a result of the war with Ethiopia, and the widespread presence of [[land mines]] have played a role in the declining productivity of the agricultural sector. Almost a quarter of the country's most productive land remains{{when|date=May 2023}} unoccupied because of the lingering effects of the 1998–2000 war with Ethiopia.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

[[Forestry]] is not a significant economic activity in Eritrea.<ref name="cp" />

As of 2011, the government encouraged large-scale cultivation of cactus to help alleviate the human suffering and, in the future, increase export revenues. Cactus plants are said to have been introduced in 1839 by a French Catholic missionary who planted the cactus in Digsa, Akrur and Hebo, Southern region. The second generation of cactus plants were introduced by the Italians, who planted them at Arberebu while they were building the Asmara rail lines.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kithinji|first=Brian|date=24 August 2021|title=Why Eritrea is turning to cactus|url=https://mansamedia.africa/why-eritrea-is-turning-to-cactus/|url-status=live|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825004222/https://mansamedia.africa/why-eritrea-is-turning-to-cactus/ |archive-date=2021-08-25 }}</ref>

Reliable figures on the extent and value of the [[fishing industry]] in Eritrea are difficult to obtain. However, Eritrea's long coastline offers the opportunity for significant expansion of the fishing industry from its current, largely artisanal, stage. Eritrea exports fish and sea cucumbers from the Red Sea to markets in Europe and Asia, and there is hope that the construction of a new, jet-capable airport in [[Massawa]], as well as rehabilitation of the port there, may support increased exports of high-value seafood. In 2002, exports were about 14,000 tons, but the maximum stable yield is thought to be nearly 80,000 tons. A fish processing plant was built in 1998 that now exports 150 tons of frozen fish every month to markets in [[United Kingdom|Britain]], [[Germany]], and the [[Netherlands]]. Tensions with [[Yemen]] over fishing rights in the [[Red Sea]] flared up in 1995 and again in 2002, and Eritrea's difficult relations with other nations could hamper further development of the industry.<ref name=cp/>