India and Ethiopia have collaborated to create a wheat system suitable for dry climates. In May, the African Development Bank Group and the Ethiopian government launched a $94 million project called Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development (CREW) to enhance wheat production. Ethiopian researchers visited India to learn about improving wheat yields in arid environments as part of the three-year ADAPT-Wheat project.
This project aims to integrate cutting-edge agricultural technologies and farm equipment into wheat production. Indian experts have developed expertise in reclaiming saline lands using cover crops and breeding drought- and salt-resistant wheat varieties.
Ethiopia’s Afar and Oromia lowlands, which rely on irrigation for wheat cultivation, are crucial for ensuring food security. Given the persistent droughts and other climate-related challenges, boosting their productivity is essential.
The Adaptation, Demonstration, and Adoption of Wheat Technologies for the Irrigated Lowlands of Ethiopia (ADAPT-Wheat) project, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, aims to identify and implement effective agricultural technologies in these regions over three years.
The Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development (CREW) project has a total budget of $94 million. The African Development Fund, part of the African Development Bank Group, is providing a grant of $54 million.
The Netherlands will contribute $20 million, while OCP-Africa and the Government of Ethiopia will each provide $10 million. Additionally, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) will contribute $300,000 under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP).
These projects have distinct objectives, ranging from improving crew management in the shipping industry to enhancing knowledge and skills for low-qualified individuals, managing wetlands, and strengthening meteorological services for disaster resilience.
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