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Maru

Raya Valley Farmer-Led Irrigation Project – Phase 1

Location: Maru Village, Raya Chercher District, Tigray, Ethiopia
Focus: Sustainable Agriculture, Water Access, Youth & Farmer Empowerment
Status: In Progress

Our mission in Raya is to transform farming from survival to sustainability. By empowering local farmers with modern tools and knowledge, we aim to move beyond subsistence—toward efficiency, resilience, and prosperity.

From Emergency Relief to Sustainable Development

Since 2019, RDF Canada has been at the forefront of humanitarian response in Tigray, Ethiopia—delivering life-saving aid during times of war, displacement, and drought. With the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and a return to relative stability in parts of the region, RDF Canada is now transitioning from emergency relief to long-term, community-led development.

Our latest initiative focuses on sustainable agriculture—empowering small-scale farmers and unemployed youth in the Raya Valley through irrigation-based farming that reduces dependency on seasonal rainfall and builds food security from the ground up.

Project Overview

Phase 1 of the project centers on the restoration of a deep irrigation well in Maru Village, Raya Chercher District. The goal was to rehabilitate an existing borehole by installing a new pump system, enabling local farmers to irrigate their land year-round.

Key objectives:

Provide consistent water access for crop cultivation
Improve food security and household income
Reduce migration pressures by creating local job opportunities
Promote sustainable water management and climate resilience

Site Selection & Technical Assessment

With limited funding, RDF Canada prioritized wells that met the following criteria:

Proximity to functioning power sources
Legal community ownership and access
Feasibility of rehabilitation without full re-drilling

Out of seven candidate sites across Raya Azebo and Raya Chercher, the Maru RPW-47 well was selected. It had an existing transformer and was previously equipped with a 55 kW pump. Based on expert recommendations, a more efficient 26 kW pump set was procured.

RDF Canada purchased a complete pump set, including the motor and control panel, at a total cost of 3.9 million Ethiopian Birr. This investment was made with the expectation that the well could be restored to full functionality.

Unexpected Setback

During testing, the newly installed pump began drawing up silt, clay, and gravel—a clear sign that the borehole casing had collapsed. Despite promising pre-assessments, the well was deemed no longer viable.

The pump was safely removed, tested, and handed over to the farmers for future use. However, the community now faces a painful reality: to access water, they must drill a new well—a process estimated to cost 2 million Ethiopian Birr (~$18,000 CAD).

In desperation, farmers have begun selling livestock to raise funds—sacrificing their livelihoods to secure water for their families and crops.

Call to Action

RDF Canada is launching an urgent fundraising campaign to support the farmers of Maru in drilling a new well. This water source is not only vital for irrigation but also for drinking water and livestock survival.

Your support can help:

Fund the drilling of a new borehole
Restore hope and dignity to a resilient farming community
Prevent forced migration and economic collapse
Lay the foundation for long-term food security in Raya

Our Commitment

We believe that sustainable agriculture is the key to lasting resilience. By investing in water access and farmer-led solutions, we are planting the seeds of self-reliance, dignity, and hope.
— Raya Development Foundation (RDF Canada)

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