Ethiopia has reported robust growth in domestic wheat production, supported by expanded irrigation projects and improved seed distribution programmes. Government officials say large-scale irrigation schemes have enabled year-round cultivation in regions previously dependent on seasonal rainfall. This has significantly boosted yields and reduced vulnerability to drought conditions that have historically disrupted output. Ethiopia has traditionally ...

By Brandon Moss  Ethiopia has launched two major irrigation canal projects in its Somali Regional State, marking a significant investment in domestic wheat production and food security. The projects in Godey and Adadle districts are designed to reduce reliance on fuel-powered irrigation pumps and stabilise wheat output in drought-prone areas. Strategic Shift Toward Food Self-Sufficiency ...

Ethiopia is pioneering a farmer-driven irrigation development model that marks a paradigm shift in agricultural water management and smallholder empowerment. Under the new framework, farmers take ownership of irrigation systems with government facilitation and technical support, fostering more responsive and cost-effective water use strategies. From Centralised to Community-Led Water Systems Unlike traditional top-down irrigation projects, ...

Across Africa and beyond, women are playing a central role in agriculture, transforming food systems, improving nutrition, and strengthening rural economies. While they often work with limited resources, women farmers are proving to be innovators, leaders and custodians of sustainable food production. Women: The Backbone of Food Systems Women make up a significant share of ...

African governments are elevating irrigation from a niche intervention to a national strategy for climate resilience and agri‑productivity. Ministries are combining rehabilitated canals and solar pump rollouts with farmer‑level irrigation schemes to increase cropping intensity and support high‑value horticulture and export crops. Development banks and bilateral partners are structuring blended finance that covers feasibility, training, ...

Small-scale solar-powered irrigation pumps are rapidly increasing dry-season production for smallholder farmers across parts of Southern Africa. Where diesel and grid electricity were unaffordable or unreliable, solar pumps now enable multiple production cycles of high-value vegetables and increase household nutrition through year-round availability of leafy greens. Farmers adopting solar irrigation report improved yields, steady supply ...

Brandon Moss,  Africa’s agricultural sector stands at a defining moment. With a projected gross production value of $189.07 billion in 2025, the continent’s farming economy is both vast and vital. Yet beneath this promise lies a complex web of structural, environmental, and financial challenges that threaten to stall progress. If agriculture is to fulfill its ...

In the heart of Kisumu County’s Ahero Irrigation Scheme, a quiet revolution is reshaping how smallholder farmers grow, irrigate, and sell their crops. Once reliant on seasonal rainfall and traditional practices, farmers are now tapping into real-time analytics, smart irrigation systems, and digital subsidies to transform their livelihoods. Smart Irrigation Meets Smart Decisions Launched in ...

Irrigation and water management experts have called for the inclusion of women and young professionals in advancing irrigated agriculture across Africa. This call was a central theme at the 6th African Irrigation and Drainage (ARCID) Conference, which concluded with an award ceremony on Wednesday night in Abuja. Mrs Oyeronke Oluniyi, Chairperson of the Nigerian National ...

The Irrigate Nigeria Project (INP) is an initiative launched by NASENI in partnership with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund to tackle Nigeria’s food insecurity crisis. By transitioning from rain-fed agriculture to smart, year-round irrigated farming, the project aims to cultivate one million hectares, empower farmers, and stabilize food prices. Utilizing modern irrigation technologies, the ...