09 February 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Cooperative members making baskets and mats from the harvest of the date palm, which they sell to the local market. This date palm project was supported by FAO in Afembo District of Afar region in Ethiopia. Local communities organized a date palm production cooperative to grow and use from date palm. When they start harvesting full scale they will be able to sell and make income for the members. Meanwhile the members are making baskets, mats, and gift items which have already started selling and making income. FAO? water and income diversification projects have become instrumental to tackle the negative impacts of El Niño induced drought for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Afar Region of north eastern Ethiopia. Both date-palm and animal feed producers are organized in cooperatives established with the support of FAO. Cooperative members have benefits from these projects. They are especially very vital during this time when livestock feed is needed for feeding drought affected animals. Members get salary and dividends from the cooperative income from the sale of animal feed and date palm products.