With the support of the ASB, the main sources of the irrigation network for arable land and farms in the districts Anna, Rawa and Haditha were restored: 

By 2021, the project successfully restored the main water systems in West Anbar. These include the floating pump in Anah, the irrigation project Al Zaytoun (Olive), the water project Haditha Al Sukran, as well as the pool and water channels in Annah, Rawa and Al Sukran. In addition, 15 wells were drilled, equipped, rebuilt and restored, including seven wells in the desert of Rutba in southwestern Anbar.

Thanks to this project, more than 64,000 families living in the catchment areas of the restored water channels will be able to benefit from the water, thereby providing around 96,400 animals with water.

The cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate for Water Resources in Anbar as well as the University of Anbar aims to initiate a rethink towards resource-efficient agriculture and effective water management on a structural level. At the same time, the project is working with farmers to raise awareness about the importance of using scarce and valuable water resources wisely when introducing drip irrigation. The ASB is particularly active in Anbar, a region that is severely threatened by drought.

Those who benefit the most from modernisation of irrigation systems and methods of irrigation are smallhold farms, which tend to suffer the most from water scarcity or apply flood-based farming techniques. Equal access to water reduces inequalities between poor and rich farmers.

By providing support with livestock and agricultural operating supplies and agricultural training, assets and resources are created that are available to the 2,000 farmers in the long term and on which they can continue to build. Farmers will thus have access to (sales) markets and the possibility of economic participation in the region even after the end of the project.

As part of the measures, beneficiaries will benefit from the development of sheep farming to provide better income opportunities in the long term. In addition to sheep, including a pregnant sheep and building materials for a shelter for the sheep, the beneficiary households will also receive three months’ feed for the sheep to eat and one kilogram of alfalfa seeds each for the production of feed. They also benefit from training in all areas of farm construction and management and in resource-conserving and climate-friendly agriculture.

Support in the project regions is focused on especially vulnerable population groups, in particular women and people with disabilities with home gardens and orchards, as well as training courses. The aim is above all to improve the food situation of their families, but also to create economic prospects for them.

Prior to the distribution of materials for drip irrigation systems, seeds and seedlings, beneficiaries participate in training on modern, resource-efficient and climate-friendly farming techniques for home gardens and orchards, as well as training on financial management and coping mechanisms. The aim is to ensure sustainable management and raise awareness of risk management.