MILLs unveils phase II of lowland areas livelihood improvement project

Addis Ababa, July 12, 2024 (FBC) – The Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands of Ethiopia (MILLs) today unveiled the second phase of the Lowland Areas Livelihood Improvement Project, which will be executed in eight regional states across the country.

The launch workshop for this initiative is currently taking place in Hawassa city, located in the Sidama region.

During the workshop, it was revealed that a substantial budget of 424 million US dollars has been allocated for the successful implementation of the project.

At the launch event, Abraham Belay, the Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, emphasized that the project aims to enhance the livelihoods of both pastoralists and semi-pastoralists. The initiative will be implemented in eight regional states throughout the country.

According to the Minister, 120 woredas, which have been chosen by the respective regions, will benefit from the project. The overarching goal of this initiative is to fortify activities that contribute to improving the lives of pastoralists in lowland areas across Ethiopia.

The Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, Abraham Belay, explained that the project will involve various activities aimed at improving the productivity of animal fodder, crops, and vegetables while maintaining the fertility of the land in a sustainable manner.

Furthermore, the initiative will provide timely information on climate change to the pastoral community, thereby reducing the risk of drought.

The project’s primary objective is to foster economic and social development in the pastoral areas, and it is expected to directly benefit around three million citizens from 600 thousand households.

In addition to the direct beneficiaries, the project is expected to indirectly benefit around two million residents from the selected woredas.

It is anticipated that 30 to 50 percent of the total beneficiaries will be youth and women.

The launch ceremony of the project was attended by senior government officials, representatives from international development partner institutions, stakeholders from Afar, Benshangul Gumuz, Oromia, Somali, South Ethiopia, and Southwest Ethiopia people’s regions, as well as the Dire-Dawa city administration.