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Ethiopia and the World Bank on Saturday signed a $100-million loan agreement to finance implementation of the Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project in the Horn of Africa nation.The loan will support the government’s efforts in areas of climate resilience, land productivity and carbon storage, as well as access to diversified livelihood activities in selected rural watersheds.
The project was designed to help improve the livelihood of 645,000 rural households, predominantly those who are vulnerable to climate variability, recurrent drought and land degradation.
During the signing ceremony, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said Ethiopia’s diverse production landscapes provide a range of services for poor rural people.
The government introduced a Sustainable Land Management Programme 10 years ago, the minister said, adding that the World Bank has been supporting the programme since its initial days.
Ahmed pointed out that the programme is bringing good results and today’s agreement will scale up the success of the project.
WB Country Director Carolyn Turk said building a successful land management programme will further promote effective landscape management activities that increase not only land productivity, but also contribute to Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Green Economy.
“By promoting livelihood diversification and income-generating activities such as apiculture, poultry farming, sheep and goat fattening, vegetable and fruit farming, and the use of more efficient cook stoves, it will further help to reduce pressure on natural resource,” Turk said.
She added that the project will provide beneficiaries with additional income-generating opportunities and strengthening linkage to the value chain.
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