Why is Ethiopia's Lakes Region important for settlement and farming?

Ethiopia's Lakes Region, located in the southwestern section of the Rift Valley, is highly significant for settlement and agriculture due to its favorable geography and environment.1

Unlike the arid and hot northeastern portion of the Rift Valley, the southwestern section is a narrow depression situated at a much higher elevation, which creates a more hospitable climate for human activity. This region serves as an internal drainage basin containing numerous lakes, including Lakes Abaya, Abiyata, Awasa, Langano, Shala, Chamo, and Ziway. The presence of these water bodies and the surrounding landscape makes this area one of the most productive and densely settled parts of the country.1

While the Ethiopian Plateau is generally recognized as the primary economic and demographic core of Ethiopia due to its fertile soils and moderate climate, the Lakes Region similarly benefits from access to water and suitable conditions that support intensive agricultural practices.12