By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 12 January 2026 Authorities in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State have officially launched the rice harvest at the West Godey Irrigation Project, signalling a major step in the region’s strategy to shift from humanitarian dependency to agricultural self-sufficiency.
The harvesting activities began Sunday in the Ber’ano district, where officials gathered to witness the collection of rice from an initial 35-hectare plot. The project, managed by the regional Bureau of Agriculture, is part of a larger first-phase operation covering 150 hectares of land currently dedicated to both rice and wheat production.
Regional leaders and representatives from the Prosperity Party described the initiative as a cornerstone of their efforts to tackle chronic food insecurity. By expanding irrigated farming in the arid lowlands, the government aims to reduce the territory's long-standing reliance on foreign food aid and stabilize local markets through increased domestic supply.
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Managers of the West Godey Irrigation Project and district administrators noted that rice has been designated a high-priority crop this year. They attributed the successful yield to a surge in technical investment and coordinated labour aimed at maximizing the output of the Shebelle River basin.
The move comes as Ethiopia continues to prioritize large-scale irrigation projects to insulate its economy from climate-related shocks and global supply chain disruptions.
