Imagine a future where droughts don’t cripple food production, and harvests thrive, even in challenging climates. This is the vision driving the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its recent strategy meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From November 3rd to 4th, 2025, IGAD brought together experts to shape a plan for sustainable irrigation and agricultural water management across its member states.
The core of the discussion? A new regional strategy designed to boost food security and climate resilience. The meeting, organized under IGAD’s Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), aimed to refine a draft strategy that aligns with broader continental goals. Representatives from IGAD, along with technical and sectoral experts from member states, collaborated to achieve this.
During the meeting, the Director of the Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration Division (ECRID), speaking on behalf of IGAD’s Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, highlighted the crucial role of water management: “Sustainable irrigation and water management are central to building resilient food systems and achieving IGAD’s Vision 2050 for a secure, resilient, and prosperous region.”
The two-day consultation involved in-depth reviews of the strategy’s key elements. These included the strategic framework, implementation plan, delivery mechanisms, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. The focus was on fostering coordinated investments, strengthening institutional capacities, and facilitating knowledge sharing among member states.
Dr. Senait Regassa, the FSRP Manager, emphasized the significance of this validation, stating that it’s a vital step towards harmonizing regional approaches and scaling up climate-smart irrigation practices. These practices directly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2 and SDG 6), the Malabo Declaration, and Agenda 2063.
But here’s where it gets interesting… The IGAD Irrigation Strategy offers a comprehensive framework to tackle recurrent droughts, low water productivity, and declining agricultural yields. It does this by promoting efficient water use and encouraging inclusive investment in irrigation infrastructure. The adoption of this strategy will enable member states to align their national policies and actions with regional and continental commitments.
The meeting concluded with a strong call to action, urging member states and partners to jointly embrace the regional strategy. The goal is clear: to drive collective action for food security and economic transformation in the region. What do you think? Is this strategy a practical solution, or are there other factors that should be considered? Share your thoughts in the comments below!