WFP SUPPORTS ETHIOPIA TO BUILD RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS IN SOMALI REGION WITH SOLAR POWERED IRRIGATION SCHEME

The irrigation scheme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, under the “Climate Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought Prone Lowland Areas” (IFTIIN) project.

Implemented by WFP in collaboration with regional institutions, local partners and communities, IFTIIN, meaning “Light” or “Hope” in Somali language, supports 17,000 pastoral and agro-pastoral families - about 85,000 people - across multiple woredas in the Somali Region. Aligned with national priorities including a strong focus on women, youth and farmers, the project increases access to water, strengthens crop and livestock production, diversifies families’ incomes and reinforces local institutions that help communities anticipate and manage climate shocks.

“WFP’s vision in Ethiopia is to support the Government’s shift toward resilient, self-reliant food systems,” said Zlatan Milišić, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia. “By working closely with government institutions, we are strengthening national systems and embedding resilience approaches that are community-led and locally owned. Through IFTIIN, we are investing in irrigation, markets and livelihoods so communities can absorb climate shocks and reduce long-term reliance on humanitarian assistance. Today’s inauguration is that strategic vision in action”. 

Ethiopia is intensifying efforts to transform its food systems and build resilience as part of its national development agenda. These efforts are increasingly critical as recurrent droughts and floods continue to erode agricultural productivity and deepen food insecurity - particularly in lowland areas that depend on rain-fed farming.

Under IFTIIN, WFP has constructed 17 irrigation schemes to expand access to water and increase crop and fodder production, 13 ponds collecting an average of 150 million litres of water per year for animal consumption and 29 dykes to regenerate vegetation and act as flood protectors. The project also improves access to agricultural inputs such as improved seeds and basic tools, alongside training and extension support to raise yields. To turn production into income, farmers are linked to traders and markets through aggregation, post-harvest handling and market-oriented crop planning. IFTIIN further promotes income diversification and financial inclusion by supporting cash-crop production, savings and loan groups, and access to basic financial services.

The Gode site serves predominantly agro-pastoral communities whose livelihoods depend on both crops and livestock. For years, limited and unreliable water access kept farming seasonal and low-yield, leaving households highly exposed to drought and other climate shocks.

The new solar-powered scheme draws water from the Shebelle River, enabling reliable, year-round farming. Producers are now cultivating a diversified mix of food, fodder and cash crops. Between 2024 and 2025, the site generated ETB 17.5 million (about USD 290,000) in production value - reflecting high yields, strong market engagement and improved household incomes.

“The German Government supports Ethiopia’s efforts to build climate-resilient food systems because food security is fundamental for the long-term development of the country by reducing dependency on humanitarian assistance.” said Dr. Ferdinand von Weyhe, German Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia. 

IFTIIN’s results underscore the power of partnership to advance Ethiopia’s food security, resilience and climate adaptation priorities, and point to the opportunity to scale proven, climate-smart solutions across the Somali Region and beyond.

“By investing in infrastructures, livelihoods, and climate adaptation measures through our partnership with WFP and the Government of Ethiopia, we are helping communities build lasting resilience and withstand climate shocks.” said Jonas Dylla, the Director of KfW Office Addis Ababa and to the African Union.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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