Second Phase of Irrigation, Lowland Areas Livelihood Improvement Project Launched

Ethiopia's Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands has officially launched the second phase of the Lowland Areas Livelihood Improvement Project, which will be implemented across eight regions.A project inception workshop is currently underway in Hawassa city of Sidama region with a reported budget allocation of 424 million US dollars for project implementation.During the event, Minister of Irrigation and Lowland Areas, Abraham Belay, revealed that the project, designed to improve the livelihoods of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, will be implemented in eight regions. He stated that 120 selected districts in these regions will benefit from the project.The minister emphasized that the project's primary objective is to strengthen activities that enhance the lives of pastoral communities in the country's lowland areas.He highlighted that the project includes initiatives to sustainably preserve soil fertility, develop animal feed production, and improve crop and vegetable productivity.Furthermore, Abrham explained that the project aims to reduce drought vulnerability by providing timely climate change information to pastoral communities."This will also contribute to ensuring economic and social development in pastoral areas," he added.The project is expected to directly benefit 600,000 households, including their 3 million family members. Additionally, it is indicated that two million residents of the districts will indirectly benefit from the project.The minister also announced plans to ensure that 30 to 50 percent of the project beneficiaries are youth and women.Stakeholders from the project implementation areas, including Dire Dawa City Administration and the regions of Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Oromia, Somali, South Ethiopia, and South West Ethiopia People are participating at the two day meeting.Representatives from international development partner organizations were also present at the event.Source: Ethiopian News Agency