For life and livelihood, Water is the Essential Lifeline for Farmers in Kufra

Libya is one of many countries threatened by desertification. The country's limited water resources and over-extraction of groundwater for agricultural and other uses exacerbate this issue. In the far southeastern region of Libya, the second largest oasis in Africa, lies Kufra, known for its unique climate, a blend of tropical and Mediterranean influences, and its rich mango production.

Mango produced in Kufra   (Abdeladeem Ajaj / UNDP Libya)

Farmers in Kufra, like Ahmed Alamin, struggle to maintain their produce with the limited water resources available. "Without water, there would be no produce, no vegetables, no fruits," he says. "Both tropical and Mediterranean plants thrive here but require proper care. The absence of water would mean the loss  of these plants and vegetables from Libya in general, and Kufra in particular."

The water supply system in Kufra relies on pumping water from wells to various water networks. However, the limited number of wells has led to water shortages, especially during the scorching summer months. 

In response, the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Recovery, Stability, and Socio-economic Development project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and with generous funding from the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, has supported the Municipality of Kufra in improving its water supply system. This initiative included the addition of two water boreholes, enhancing the water supply for 6,600 residents.

Mr. Yousef Al-Mari, a representative of the Local Council in Kufra, shares: "The residents of the Shura neighbourhood faced a daily struggle to secure drinking water, often having to journey to nearby areas like Suwaydiya. This hardship has been alleviated thanks to the new borehole constructed by UNDP, which provides much-needed relief to the communities in Shura and similarly in the Al-Mukhtar neighbourhood," he says.

Libya is grappling with a severe water crisis, ranking among the world's most water-stressed nations. The country's overreliance on groundwater for nearly 97% of its water supply intensifies this problem. This acute water scarcity casts a long shadow over agriculture, food security, and the overall well-being of its population.

Water is the lifeblood of any society, and its scarcity in Libya poses a formidable threat to livelihoods, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

“If water becomes scarce, people, including myself, will be forced to migrate to coastal and rainy areas. Water is the lifeblood of this region, especially for Kufra."

Ahmed Alamin concludes.