Some 100 small-scale irrigation schemes become operational

Addis Ababa, January 8, 2024 (FBC) – Some 100 small-scale irrigation schemes built to maximize rural agricultural productivity in parts of Ethiopia with rainfall variability became operational, Ministry of Agriculture disclosed.

Nuredin Asaro, Coordinator of Small-Scale Irrigation Participatory Development Programme (PASIDP) at the Ministry of Agriculture told ENA building small-scale irrigation is the nation’s priority to those areas with short rainfall.

Accordingly, the PASIDP program is being implemented to improve the food security, family nutrition, and income of poor rural households living in drought-prone and food-deficit areas of Ethiopia.

The coordinator indicated that 116 small-scale irrigation schemes that are being built in seven regions with a total outlay of 152 million US dollars.

Of the total 100 small-scale irrigation schemes have been completed and providing services. Moreover, the construction of the remaining 16 dams is expected to be completed in this Ethiopian budget year, Nuredin noted.

The small-scale irrigation program is being executed in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia, is now being expanded to other regional states.

The cultivation of wheat and other crops as well as vegetables and fruits are being carried out in the small-scale irrigation schemes, Nuredin pointed out.

The coordinator added professional and technological support is being provided to increase productivity in all development spheres.

When the under construction small-scale irrigation projects are completed, more than 20, 000 hectares of land to be developed benefiting 110,000 households.

Nuredin further mentioned that the small-scale Irrigation Development Program is a successful project being implemented with support and loans from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).