Ethiopia 17 October 2025 — The Somali Regional State Bureau of Agriculture has officially launched the Babile–Anod-I Shallow Groundwater and Solar-Powered Irrigation Project, marking a significant step toward sustainable agricultural transformation in Eastern Ethiopia. Implemented under the Participatory Agriculture and Climate Transformation (PACT) Program and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the project aims to boost water access, improve smallholder productivity, and enhance climate resilience for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. According to the Somali Regional State, the initiative will benefit around 1,000 households and is being implemented by the Regional Agriculture Bureau through the PACT project. Valued at $3.4 million (500 million birr), the project includes the construction of 25 water wells, irrigation canals, and solar-powered pumping systems designed to expand access to water for both farming and livestock. Officials say the project will cover approximately 370 hectares of farmland once completed. It is intended to strengthen local self-reliance and reduce dependency on external aid. The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs Halimo Hassan, Minister of Agriculture Abdullahi Mohamed Muse, his deputy, the Faafan Regional Governor, project coordinators, and local community members. Regional agricultural authorities highlighted that the initiative will help farmers reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture by using solar-powered groundwater systems to ensure year-round cultivation. The Babile–Anod-I project forms part of a broader regional effort to modernize agriculture through community participation, climate adaptation, and sustainable technology adoption — aligning with Ethiopia’s national vision for green and climate-smart development.
By Asha Elmi - Reporter