The first phase of Tendaho irrigation dam that was built in the Afar Regional State of Ethiopia was inaugurated on September 5, 2015, Ethiopian News Agency reported.

Tendaho irrigation dam has an overall capacity to irrigate 60,000 hectares of land. The first phase will have a capacity to irrigate 25,000 hectares of land.

Construction of the dam targeted the cultivation of sugarcane plantation on 50,000 hectares land for Tendaho Sugar Factory and develops 10,000 hectares land for the residents.

Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, said Tendaho dam construction project is part of Ethiopia’s attempt to move from rain-fed agriculture to the expansion of irrigation schemes in order to ensure food security.

Among the dams that are under construction are Kesem, Koka and Kobow, Alemayehu stated.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency