Inception workshop in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the 8th country to host an inception workshop marking the official launch of the new phase of the WaPOR project in the country. This workshop targeted newly appointed government officials from Ministries and regional governments, research institutes, government corporations (construction and sugarcane). There were a total of 15 stakeholders physically present at the premises of the International Livestock Research Institute in Addis Ababa, where the workshop took place, and 18 online participants. 

It was a very engaged workshop with a great deal of discussions as well as questions and answers during which the international partners (FAO, IWMI and IHE Delft) were able to get a better sense of the needs of the Ethiopian stakeholders. 

The State Minister of Irrigation & Lowlands (MILLs), Dr. Indrias Geta delivered opening remarks after the interventions of the Dutch Embassy, represented by Mr. Aytenew Tatek, and the FAO Eastern Africa Sub-regional office, represented by its coordinator, Mr. David Phiri.

An irrigation expert at the Small Scale Irrigation Development Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture gave a presentation on the Government plans and needs as well as what kind of assistance they would hope to get from the project in many ways, including capacity development. It was overall a successful and fruitful gathering that set the project in the country to a good start.