Inauguration of Segen river diversion scheme at Yanda-Faro, Konso special Woreda in SNPPR

A 9.54 Mio. Eth. Birr project designed to modernize six traditional irrigation systems, out of which the Gedeha and Orshale irrigation could be now completed is inaugurated in Konso special Woreda in April 2006.

The Konso woreda is hilly and mountainous, which has been under cultivation for generation and less productive. The plains of Yada, Segen and Weyto are inhabitable due to malaria and lack of drinking water. Periodic conflicts with the neighbouring pastoralists on the use of land range resources of the low land, force them also to stay crowded on the hills, so that a naturally hard-working people of  Konso depends on foreign aid since the mid of 1970.

In realization of the challenge which needs to be addressed for survival and further development of the people, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church

Mekane Yesus (EECMY) has been performing development activities, aiming at food security parallel to its emergency aid. Learning from past experience, scattered projects and development activities are now pulled together for better results in reducing dependency.

In 1994, through the request of the Jarso people and with the financial cooperation of the German development organisation “Bread for the World”, the Development and Social Services Commission of the Church (DASSC), conducted a study on the possibility of diverting the Segen and Yanda rivers for irrigation. This was estimated to cost 50,000,000 Eth. Birr, which was hard to come by.

Therefore it started with its partner “Bread for the World” a 1.9 Mio. Eth. Birr project to dig for drinking water for 4587 people and constructed an irrigation canal of 21 km at seven different places of the Segen River. This included construction of health centres and projects to protect the environment as well as increase awareness and productivity of the people.

Only last year 2000 hectares land could be cultivated and 3600 metric tones of maize earned and living standard is improving.