FAO launches a program to restore agricultural livelihoods of communities in Tigray

Addis Ababa, May 17, 2021 (FBC) – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched an emergency programme to safeguard the agricultural livelihoods of communities affected by conflict in the Tigray region, Ethiopia.

Interventions are aimed to enable farmers and pastoralists in the region to resume agricultural production.
The FAO Representative in Ethiopia, Fatouma Seid, noted that “FAO’s priority is ensuring that the farmers and pastoralists resume agricultural production and build their resilience against future shocks.”

The ongoing interventions include distributing crop and vegetable seeds (wheat or teff, plus onion and tomato) and training and extension support to targeted households.

In addition, FAO is undertaking treatment and vaccination of livestock, including goats, sheep, and cattle against endemic transboundary animal diseases.

The interventions target 50 000 households with seed packages while livestock belonging to an additional 100 000 livestock households will be vaccinated and treated.

FAO is currently developing a response plan and funding appeal that will further define the Organization’s medium to long-term interventions in Tigray.

Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for more than 80 percent of the population in Tigray.
To implement emergency interventions, FAO is collaborating with the regional government, Non-Governmental Organizations, and United Nations agencies.

The Organization’s interventions are under the framework of the Disaster Risk Management Agriculture Task Force (DRM ATF) – Agriculture Cluster, which coordinates activities amongst members, develops guidelines for common approaches, and provides technical guidance and advice. FAO is co-chair of the DRM ATF in Tigray.