Gedeb Irrigation Development

ORDA Ethiopia striving to develop small scale irrigation schemes to make farmers independent on seasonal rainfall for the production of crops.

Farmer Ayalew Ferede is a resident of Grum Sankat Kebele in Machakel Woreda, East Gojjam Zone. Farmers say they have benefited from Gedeb River. But, after the construction of a modern irrigation system, they have started using the water efficiently. Since 2006, farmer Ayalew produced 30 quintals of potatoes on his small plot of farmland and sold more than 6,000 birr.

Farmers are changing their lives due to this modern irrigation development. He earns better now and educates his children.

Small-scale irrigation development is crucial for smallholder farmers to enable them produce more than twice.

Studies show that Ethiopia has more than 5.3 million hectares of arable land. However, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, the country is developing only two million or 38 percent of its irrigation potential. Alike other areas in the country, small scale irrigations are being developed in Amhara region to production and productivity. ORDA Ethiopia has been able to take the lead in implementing high quality and effective irrigation projects in a short period of time.