December 3, 2025 (TADJOURAH, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its community-driven land restoration and climate adaptation initiative funded by the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) of the African Development Bank, today advanced its second phase of fodder production support with a field mission and equipment and Seedlings handover ceremony in Guirori, Tadjourah.
This activity marks an important continuation of IGAD’s efforts to strengthen locally led climate adaptation and gender-transformative land governance interventions in pastoral communities. It follows the successful implementation of the first phase of the project in Dafaynatou, Sagallou, and Kallaf, where 87 beneficiaries received tools and seeds that significantly improved fodder availability, livestock health, and household food security. Families reported better milk access, reduced fodder expenses, and improved drought preparedness, with women’s participation notably enhancing community well-being and economic autonomy.
Building on these strong results, IGAD in close consultation with local authorities, selected Guirori as the new intervention site for Phase 2. The project aims to empower 30 beneficiaries from the women agricultural cooperative of Guirori ( Cooperative femme Agricole de Guirori), mostly women, with equipment, drought-resistant seeds, and practical training on sustainable fodder production techniques to reinforce climate resilience and equitable access to productive resources.
Today’s activity was led by Mr Daher Elmi, Director of IGAD Agriculture and Environment Division, together with Joselyn Bigirwa from the IGAD Land Governance Programme. The delegation was joined by Mr Moussa Mohamed Abdallah, Deputy Regional Director of Tadjourah of the Ministry of Agriculture, Representative of the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Women and Family Affairs. Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Daher Elmi commended the remarkable progress made since the start of the project, highlighting both the community ownership demonstrated in Phase 1 and the importance of sustained support to vulnerable pastoral households. He emphasised that when communities receive the right tools and knowledge, they become the drivers of their own resilience and that women, who play a central role in fodder production and livestock care, must have equal access to productive resources.
The field mission began with welcoming remarks from IGAD and local authorities, followed by the handover of agricultural equipment including shovels, rakes, watering cans, grass sickles, wheelbarrows, and drought-resistant fodder seeds such as Sudanese grass and Panicum. Beneficiaries then took part in a practical session on sustainable fodder production techniques, seed utilisation, and irrigation management. These sessions are designed to ensure not only access to resources but also the technical knowledge necessary for long-term sustainable production, an essential requirement for strengthening community resilience in an environment increasingly affected by climate variability.
The mission will continue tomorrow with further training and follow-up discussions with beneficiaries to consolidate skills, strengthen community organisation, and ensure proper use of the distributed tools and seeds. The Folder will be cultivated on a communal Land managed by the cooperative an members will share the benefits equally.
This intervention forms part of IGAD’s broader commitment to advancing climate-resilient livelihoods, promoting gender equality in access to resources, and supporting community-driven environmental governance across the region. By reinforcing women’s roles, improving technical capacities, and promoting sustainable land use, the project offers a model that can be replicated in other areas facing similar climate and land degradation challenges.
