The performance of the Ethiopian economy as a whole is highly linked with the agricultural sector. Hence, intensifying the agriculture with irrigation is vital to sustainable and reliable agricultural growth which leads to overall economic development.
Irrigation development in Ethiopia can be considered as a cornerstone of food security and poverty reduction tool as it has a power to stimulate economic growth and rural developments. And also, irrigation is one means by which agricultural production can be increased to meet the growing demands in Ethiopia.
As a result, irrigation infrastructures are increasing year by year. Irrigated agriculture is being practiced under smallholders, medium and large scale farming. Ethiopia offers ample scope for growth in agricultural production through irrigation development as the country is gifted with a large amount of water resources. Ethiopia has 12 river basins that provide an estimated average annual runoff of 125 billion m3.
According to the report of International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Ethiopia has been practicing irrigation since ancient times to produce subsistence food crops. However, modern irrigation systems were started in the 1960s with the objective of producing industrial crops in Awash Valley.
“Currently, the government is giving more emphasis to the sub-sector by way of enhancing the food security situation in the country,” the Institute indicated. Efforts are being made to involve farmers progressively in various aspects of management of small-scale irrigation systems in terms of planning, implementing and managing aspects, in water distribution and operation and maintenance to improve the performance of irrigated agriculture, according to the report.
Amhara State has enormous potential both in land and water resources. And, different development activities have been underway to utilize these resources. Last Saturday, Megech Seraba Pump Irrigation Development Project in Amhara State, Central Gonder Zonal Administration, was inaugurated with the presence of higher government officials.
During the inaugural ceremony, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Dr. Eng. Sileshi Bekelle stated that the project was constructed with government fund, and grants and loan from the World Bank. “It was built at a cost of 1.3 billion Birr.” He said that the project has a capacity to develop over 4,000 hectares of land and benefit more than 30,000 members of the community by enabling them to produce 2 or 3 times a year.
Megech Seraba Irrigation Development Project is intended to develop irrigated land by pumping water from Lake Tana, according to him. “Among 11 million and above unemployed Ethiopians, most of them are young people. This project would help to reduce the negative impact of unemployment on the Ethiopia’s economy,” he said.
It is crucial to expand market-based products and engage young people in order to benefit the community, he added. On his part, Melaku Alebel, Head of Amhara State Industry and Investment Bureau, stated that 26 percent of Amhara State’s population live under poverty. “I believe that this project will play an important role in terms of creating jobs and ensuring food security,” he said.
According to him, the project is a great potential to the people to increase productivity and ensure economic freedom. He noted that the project has five pumps that can divert 20,000 cubic meters of water per hour from Lake Tana. And, the first phase of the project will develop 1000 hectares of land. He stated that the project will have a significant contribution to agricultural production and productivity.
Biweta Addis is a farmer and lives in Dembiya woreda where the irrigation project is being implemented. He told to this reporter that he has four hectares of irrigable land. And also, he finalized preparations for irrigation development in collaboration with agricultural experts. He said that the project is an opportunity for the community to produce agricultural products more than two or three times per annum.
The Ethiopian Herald learnt that more than 900 educated youths who live in the area where the irrigation project is being implemented are under training. Solomon Fente, a Hydraulic and Water Resource Engineering graduate, is among the trainers. He said that the training will help youths to raise awareness to improve their lives in creating own jobs instead of waiting to be employed in a certain organization. “I am ready to produce market oriented agricultural products after this training by using the opportunity that the government offers to youths,” he noted.
The Ethiopian Herald November1, 2019
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
