A high-level delegation from Sidama Region, comprising 12 representatives from regional, zonal, and district offices of Agriculture, Finance, Water, and Irrigation, visited Rukissa Small-scale Irrigation System Development, realized through ICRIS (Improving Climate Resilience through Irrigation Development and Soil Fertility Enhancement) Project in Gowadamo Kebele of Aleta Wendo District, to assess the implementation status of the project.

The delegation included the District Administration Head, the Director of the Regional Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Directorate, and Directors from Zonal and Regional Finance Bureaus. Mr. Amrot Gobena, Project Coordinator at SAA Ethiopia, presented a detailed progress report, highlighting achievements, challenges, and proposed next steps. The briefing was followed by an on-site field visit and discussions with farmers.

Project updates that upstream construction activities have been successfully completed, enabling irrigation of 34 hectares. The construction of the downstream canal is still pending. Upon full completion, the project is expected to irrigate up to 60 hectares. The visiting team commended the overall progress and requested SAA to expedite the final phase to ensure that downstream communities fully benefit from the irrigation infrastructure.

High-level delegation from the Sidama region sectoral offices while visiting the Rukissa Irrigation Dam.