Afar region’s irrigation project turning Awash River into economic gains, creating thousands of jobs – Deputy PM

Addis Ababa, March 28, 2026 (FMC) — An irrigated grass and animal feed development project in Ethiopia’s Afar Region is delivering tangible economic and livelihood benefits, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Truneh said following a visit to the site.

The Deputy Prime Minister toured an irrigated grass and fodder farm in Aysaita District of Zone One, a project supported by the waters of the Awash River and designed to expand animal feed production while strengthening the livestock sector.

Covering 2,540 hectares, the project integrates cultivation with value addition. Grass produced at the site is processed at a modern facility and supplied as animal feed to both domestic and international markets, contributing to market expansion and economic growth.

According to Temesgen Truneh, the initiative is also facilitating the transfer of improved technologies and high-quality seed varieties to local pastoralists, enabling them to enhance productivity and livelihoods. The project has demonstrated the successful cultivation of diverse grass species critical for boosting livestock output, particularly milk production.

The development has created employment opportunities for 1,000 citizens, while reinforcing the region’s livestock sector and contributing to the country’s broader development agenda.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the project reflects the potential of utilizing river resources to reduce reliance on erratic rainfall, underscoring the importance of harnessing Ethiopia’s water resources to improve resilience, productivity, and long-term food and economic security.