Irrigation

Message from the State Minister

Dear Readers,

I warmly welcome you to the website of the Ministry of Irrigation & Lowlands (MILLs).Irrigation development is one of the leading strategies for ensuring food self-sufficiency and combating poverty in the world. The government of Ethiopia has recently reaffirmed its commitment to this policy to ensure and sustain the nation’s food sovereignty. The Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs) plans to achieve such goal by developing data driven National Irrigation Strategy (NIS) that is expected to help execute our irrigation mandates sustainably and cost effectively. The Irrigation Development Project (IDP) wing of the Ministry is mainly responsible for researching the irrigation potential of the country, studying, and designing irrigation projects, constructing irrigation infrastructures, and administering and operating irrigation schemes.

The ministry has also the responsibilities and plans to prepare detail irrigation programs compatible with the national development plan for implementation supported by innovative technologies that will enhance productivity. MILLs will also closely work with the regional governments providing the necessary capacity building and technical supports required for the success irrigation projects.

Although our ministry will take the lions share in developing irrigation policy, regulatory framework and scheme development, the role of the private sector is critical specifically in supplying small-scale irrigation solutions and managing medium-scale irrigation schemes. In this regard, the Ministry will create conducive conditions for irrigation investors and local communities to participate and gain incentives from irrigation development projects in accordance with the law. Therefore, we kindly invite, private companies, donors, and institutional stakeholders to help us transform food production in Ethiopia.

Yours Sincerely,

H.E. Birhanu Megersa Lenjiso (PhD)State Minister of Irrigation Development SectorMinistry of Irrigation and LowlandsFederal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia