Libya and IFAD Team Up for Climate-Resilient Farming in Landmark Water Scarcity Project
Written By Maxine Ansah
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Rome/Tripoli, 7 May 2025 In a historic move to tackle climate-induced water scarcity, Libya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), have launched their first-ever joint investment project aimed at helping smallholder farmers and pastoralists adapt to worsening drought conditions.
The new initiative Resilience to Negative Impacts of Climate-Aggravated Water Scarcity in the Agriculture Sector in Libya (RENEWAL) is backed by a US$9.2 million grant from the Adaptation Fund. The project will directly support around 57,000 rural households in Libya’s most drought-affected regions, from the northwest to the southern deserts.
“This is a vital initiative for building resilience in Libya’s agricultural sector,” said Vrej Jijyan, IFAD’s Country Director, at the official announcement. “By improving water management and introducing climate-adaptive practices, we are addressing the most urgent needs of rural communities. Our goal is to ensure that smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, not only survive the impacts of climate change but thrive despite them.”
Libya, one of the driest countries on earth, faces mounting environmental threats rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and seawater intrusion in its coastal aquifers. These conditions are worsened by decades-old water infrastructure, political instability, and the broader impacts of climate change. Without action, the country risks not being able to meet basic water needs for its population in the near future.
According to the United Nations, agriculture is the largest water-consuming sector in Libya. Yet, outdated irrigation systems and limited access to modern technology make farming especially vulnerable. The RENEWAL project seeks to shift this reality by introducing modern, sustainable water-use practices and training rural communities to manage natural resources more efficiently.
The official launch took place on 28 April 2025 at an inaugural workshop hosted by Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tripoli. Representatives from IFAD, UNOPS, and multiple Libyan ministries came together to discuss how the RENEWAL project will be implemented. The Ministry of Environment hailed the initiative as a significant step forward for both food and water security, highlighting its focus on vulnerable groups including women, youth, and smallholder farmers.
UNOPS Country Manager Nathalie Angibeau, who oversees projects across North Africa, emphasized that strengthening rural livelihoods is not only about agriculture it’s also about economic opportunity. “Climate adaptation is key to building resilience in Libya’s agriculture and livestock sectors,” she said. “This project will support rural economies and ensure that communities have the tools they need to withstand and adapt to a changing climate.”
