Ethiopia is planning to construct a mega water dam to the tune of US$32 million for supply of drinking water to the residents of Mekaneselam, a town in Borena woreda, Amhara.
The mega project is a partnership between the federal government of Ethiopia and the Alliance partners. It is a consortium of two organizations, including Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (ICTA).
A detailed and integrated “landscape master plan” for implementation of the project is being developed by a technical team led by the Alliance and experts from Mekelle University in Ethiopia.
Upon completion, the multi-million dam will lead to the efficient supply of drinking water to the residents bearing in mind that Amhara is the second largest populated region in Ethiopia with a projected annual population increase of about 7% and a huge potential for growth of industries, universities and other services.
Additionally, the dam will be of benefit to the small scale farmers who will now have adequate water for their plantations and thus reduce the risk of drought in downstream areas especially during the dry seasons.
Recently, the Ethiopian government through the regional government of Amhara built several ground wells for human consumption and irrigation so as to help in the access of clean water for the citizens, however, they were not as sufficient hence the reason behind this huge water supply dam.
About Bioversity International and ICTA
Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture are have collectively spent close to a century in researching for development experience to make known the worldwide challenges in the food and agricultural sectors linking them to the environment, poverty reduction, health and the economy at large. Successful collaborations in the past have literally motivated these two organizations to join forces and work on the eradication these challenges.