Successful transformation of the agricultural sector in Tigray, and achieving more secure, sustainable household livelihoods cannot be achieved by concentrating on developing individual farmers’ skills and capabilities only.

Sharing of skill and other resources, mutual support, economies of scale, minimization of conflict around use of Limited natural and other resources, more efficient marketing, are just some of the many socio-economic benefits arising from active membership of institutions such as water user associations, watershed committees, producer and marketing cooperatives, village economic and social associations. Over and above the added value of the specific activities undertaken, development of such institutions play a vital role in building confidence, overall community development planning and implementation capacity, community solidarity, and more effective and stronger leadership and engagement in public life and decision-making.