Israeli NGOs, such as Earth’s Promise, are involved with helping Ethiopian populations within the country (check out the Eco-Thiopia festival in Beer Sheva next week). And the Israeli government, apparently, is involved with helping Ethiopian populations… in Ethiopia.
On Wednesday the German Environment Ministry announced that Israel and Germany have launched a joint irrigation project in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. The initiative is the result of an agreement signed last year between former Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, and the German Environment Minister. The project aims to provide advice and assistance in implementing efficient and environmentally sustainable irrigation among Ethiopian farmers.
The German Environment Ministry also noted that the German government is investing 1.5 million euros in the project.
Sigmar Gabriel, the German Environment Minister, said that the project would help modernize farming practices in Ethiopia and that “this generally encourages the economic development of the country, secures the livelihood of farms and supports climate change adaptation.”
The project is targeting 320 farms in up to 16 water catchment areas, and will include advice regarding choosing the best irrigation systems, financing infrastructure changes, and how to market produce.
Read more about other African countries:
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Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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