Spate Irrigation: an innovative technology to harness flash floods
Wollo University, in collaboration with ICRISAT and Woldiya University, implemented a sustainable watershed management project in the Afar region. The lowland pastoral areas of Afar experience erratic rainfall distribution, with the livelihoods of the Afar people primarily based on pastoralism. The region frequently faces flooding due to heavy rains from neighboring highland areas.
To address this challenge, the project employed spate irrigation to harness flash floods from the highlands, enabling the production of food and feed crops. This approach has helped tackle food and feed shortages in the region. The project has highlighted the potential of this innovative technology for sustainable agricultural development. As a result, the technology is now spreading to other parts of Afar and neighboring regions, including Somali.
