Watershed management experiences in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Watershed Management Experiences in Amhara Region

Watershed Management Experiences in Amhara Region

Fentahun Mengistu (Dr.)Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI)

Fentahun Mengistu (Dr.)Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI)

Stakeholders’ Workshop on Enhancing Communities’ Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change Induced Water Scarcity

in Kabe Watershed, South Wollo ZoneWollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia, 24-25 November 2011

Why Watershed Approach?• Land degradation seriously

affects livelihoods and food security in Ethiopia

• Land degradation arises: soil erosion- steep slopes,

continuous encroachment and cultivation of marginal lands

deforestation overgrazing negative coping strategies

(animal dung burning , charcoal, reduced rotation, etc.)

• has political, social and economic implications

Food Insecurity and Poverty Trap: Interrelationships between key challenges

Food Insecurity and Poverty Trap: Interrelationships between key challenges

To combat the land degradation-food insecurity-poverty nexus, a holistic approach: watershed management

To combat the land degradation-food insecurity-poverty nexus, a holistic approach: watershed management

Common Practices

Common out comes

Common out comes

Common out comes

Elements and characteristics of watershed

• Biophysical (water, land, vegetation)• climate (rainfall, altitude, and

winds), drainage and water,• soil, vegetation, specific

topographic features (gradient and length of slope, shape and direction and past/current erosion features (rill, gullies, land slides,etc). • Land use: homesteads,

cultivated land, grazing land, forest (natural and artificial), degraded areas

• Socio-economic• population• farming systems • social setups• economic activities • vulnerability profile • gender

PWDP as a foundation for sustainable agricultural development in rural Ethiopia

• CBPWD Guideline• 5 Yrs GTP: on Natural Resources

Management and Climate Change: In all areas which require physical soil

and water conservation works will be fully implemented through proactive and organized community participation

• Amhara rural development strategy: a conservation based, watershed focused development approach

• watershed focused NRM campaign as of last year with organized community participation ( Development Army, 20-30 people, 1 to 5 work team)

• Almost all BI-lateral/Multi-lateral projects/NGOs follow IWM

PLANNING PROCEDURES AND STEPS

1. Amhara Micro-enterprise development, AgriculturalResearch, Extension, and Watershed management

(AMAREW) Project

1. Amhara Micro-enterprise development, AgriculturalResearch, Extension, and Watershed management

(AMAREW) Project

• Launched in July 2002• Focus: functional integration of on-farm

research, extension, and watershed management activities

• 3 pilot watersheds: Yeku (Sekota), Lenche Dima (Guba Lafto) and Gumet (Sekela)

• Launched in July 2002• Focus: functional integration of on-farm

research, extension, and watershed management activities

• 3 pilot watersheds: Yeku (Sekota), Lenche Dima (Guba Lafto) and Gumet (Sekela)

Approach: multi-faceted and integrated rural development activities in agricultural research, extension, watershed management and micro enterprise development

Approach: multi-faceted and integrated rural development activities in agricultural research, extension, watershed management and micro enterprise development

Engaged Research in testing a wide range of technologies at the watersheds and to provide the Extension and other development organizations with land use planning tools and proven technologies for sustainable development and rehabilitation

Engaged Research in testing a wide range of technologies at the watersheds and to provide the Extension and other development organizations with land use planning tools and proven technologies for sustainable development and rehabilitation

Community watershed management organization (CWMO) 12-32 members responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring the watershed development activities

Community watershed management organization (CWMO) 12-32 members responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring the watershed development activities

Interventions madeI. Physical and biological soil &

water conservation measures

• Hill side and Farm land terrace

• Check dam construction

• Bund stabilization

• Gully rehabilitation

• Trench construction

• Small Scale Dam construction

• Micro basin , eye burrow basin

• Improved pits , Cut-off drains

• Hand dug well construction

• Trapezoidal water tanks

• Plastic bed water harvesting ponds

• Forestry and agro forestry• Area closure

Gully Rehabilitation: Yeku watershedGully Rehabilitation: Yeku watershed

Impacts of interventions on Wsheds

• Hillside closure ,moisture harvesting - seasonal spring flow extended by 2M - ground water at a depth of 8m • income from grasses sell• Degraded gullies- feed and fuel wood• Water point -for human and livestock• Soil moisture harvesting , gully

rehabilitation on degraded hillside & farm lands maintained soil moisture for plant growth , assisted the replenishment of ground water and extended stream flow period

• vegetables and fruits thr. irrigation • Striga resistant sorghum varieties

Gobiye and Abshir

• improved seeds at household and community seed bank level

• Poor farmer hhs- asset thr. goat and sheep restocking

• Food-for-work –facilitated upper catchment's land care activities, covered watershed community food gap

• Gabion box production and fuel saving stove production- additional income, reduction of soil erosion and deforestation

• Pilot Wsheds served as learning center for DAs, woreda experts and farmers in the region

Impacts?

Hillside Closure Speeded up Environmental Rehabilitation

Gully at GumetGully at Gumet

Closed from animal interference

Closed from animal interference

• self-help user groups organized to manage degraded hillsides

Minimized soil erosion Brought significant environmental impact • allowed new shrubs and grass species• increased biodiversity

• self-help user groups organized to manage degraded hillsides

Minimized soil erosion Brought significant environmental impact • allowed new shrubs and grass species• increased biodiversity

Conservation structures on farmlands, degraded hills

Catchment Treatment replenished ground water (Yeku)Catchment Treatment replenished ground water (Yeku)

Night pond at Yeku watershed used for cattle and other household serviceNight pond at Yeku watershed used for cattle and other household service

Brought empowerment of watershed communities towards sustainable management of land & water resources (bunds, gully rehabilitation)

Fuel-efficient stove production at Yeku watershed

Fuel efficient stove produced and marketed by an organized group of women •make money•reduction of deforestation•reduces the drudgery•encouraged schooling of•Children•stoves reduce smoke caused eye problems

Gabion Wire Box Production at Lenche

Dima Watershed

Water Point Development: Yeku

2. Sida-Amhara Rural Development Programme 1997–2008

2. Sida-Amhara Rural Development Programme 1997–2008

Eight Woredas in East Gojjam and eight Woredas in South Wello

Objectives:• Develop, test and

demonstrate an integrated methodology for management of small agric. Watersheds

• To create public awareness about flexibility and site specificity of IWM

Approach:

• bottom-up• Watershed

management committee

• Watershed planning• Characterization

Achievements

• Agricultural productivity can be sustained through appropriate IWM approach

• Improved land • Farmer’s livelihood improved

3. SWHISA (Sustainable Water Harvesting and Institutional Strengthening in Amhara): Watershed

Program

• Designed to enhance sustainability of small-scale irrigation structures and dams and increase productive uses of water sources within the watersheds

• Participatory approaches – farmer to farmer extension

• Active promotion of self-help contributions from communities

Area covered by different SWC measures in the pilot watersheds

Interventions

Physical soil conservation measures

• Farm bunds:- stone/ soil bunds

• Hillside terraces• Gully treatment:- stone

and gabion check dams; brushwood check dams

• Cutoff drains• Artificial waterways • Percolation trenches• Micro-basin/eyebrow basin

Planting pits

Biological conservation measures

• Area closure• Planting on bunds• Gully re-vegetation• Homestead planting• Enrichment planting in

closed areas• Planting on hillsides etc.

Interventions

Water harvesting • Shallow hand dug well • Run off water harvesting • Sand dams Natural Pasture Management• Grazing land improvement• Introduction of high value

crops including feed crops• Over-sowing of closed areas

with improved feed varieties

• Change crops and cropping pattern (Diversification)

• Introduction of improved crop varieties

• Compost preparation and application etc

• Supplementary irrigation ( risk reduction)

• Dry season vegetable production

• Subsistence oriented to Market oriented farming

Area Closure: Karita (west Belessa)

2011

Hay harvest 20092008

Achivements

Pasture Land Management

Free grazing Rotational grazing/hay

Maywoha watershed, Goncha, E. Gojam


Participatory evaluation of natural pasture: under free grazing (left) and hay production (right)

Maywoha watershed, Goncha, E. Gojam

2009 2009

Debre Mawi watershed, Adet, W. Gojam


Change communal pasture land management: from free grazing to hay production


20102011


Free grazing 2010

Change in natural pasture management increased herbage productivity and help to stabilize gully system


Hay production 2011

Gully Rehabilitation

20082009



2011


2008


Gully head retreat: when promoting gully erosion control measures, conservation of the entire hillside and watershed must be considered


Debre Mawi watershed, Adet, E. Gojam

2008 2011

Degraded Land ManagementDegraded Land Management October 2009June 2007

Shallow ground water development

Run off water harvesting

20092011

Tomato

Onion

Pepper

The gully formation in the Debremawi watershed is more importantly caused by subsurface erosion generated from soil pore water pressure.

Potholes and smaller pipe A, and concentrated water outflow zones, B. Potholes and smaller pipe A, and concentrated water outflow zones, B.

Land management processes that effectively drain subsurface water and reduce the potential pore-water pressure in shallow soils are necessaryLand management processes that effectively drain subsurface water and reduce the potential pore-water pressure in shallow soils are necessary

4. Unlocking the potential of rainfed agriculture in Ethiopia

for improved rural livelihoods

4. Unlocking the potential of rainfed agriculture in Ethiopia

for improved rural livelihoods

Gumara-Maksegnit WSGumara-Maksegnit WS

Goal/Objectives

To sustainably improve agricultural productivity and conserve the ecosystem resources by integrating affordable and appropriate technologies in a favourable socioeconomic environment

• identify, evaluate and apply appropriate interventions that may overcome the deficiencies and achieve higher productivity.

• test and fine tune a package of water harvesting technologies that provides sufficient water for supplemental irrigation during dry spells to alleviate stress

Socioeconomic characterization of the watershed using PRA approach by interdisciplinary team of researchers

Socioeconomic characterization of the watershed using PRA approach by interdisciplinary team of researchers

Biophysical characterization of the watershed Biophysical characterization of the watershed

Community & District policy makers consultation and establishment of watershed community leaders

Community & District policy makers consultation and establishment of watershed community leaders

Steps in WS selection-implementation

Consultation & WS community Establishment

• Consultation made with Woreda policy makers.

• Watershed community organized

Biophysical characterization

"Rainfed Ethiopia"project

Theme I:Land conservation

Theme II:Water harvesting &

SupplementalIrrigation

Theme III:Agronomic/

land productivity

Subtheme 1: Land conservation

Subthem 2: watershedmodeling

Subtheme 3:Reforestation

Subtheme 1:Implementation ofsmall ponds & dripirrigation systems

Subtheme 2:SupplementalIrrigation field

experiment

Subtheme 3:Communal,

medium-size pond

Subtheme 1:Crop improvement

Subtheme 2:Crop management(double cropping)

Subtheme 3:Improved/

reduced tillage

Cross-cuttingtheme:

Agronomic waterbalance

Inte

rven

tion

s U

nder

way

Challenges

• Negotiation and convincing farmers

• Sustainability, ownership

• completing the already started watershed

• Focus on physical structures

• physical structures are not constructed to their technical standards

• System productivity

• Social planning unit of the government vs watershed planning

• Duplication of management (Wshed Devt Committee Vs Govt’ committee)

Lessons Learnt• Communities have high

interest in development initiatives including rehabilitating natural resources

• But, farmers will accept a change in agricultural practices if only if both ecological and economic objectives are met

• Community participation is vital that local farmers, users and beneficiaries play an active role

• Needs farm and non-farm activities

• Interdisciplinary team• IWM require a process

approach• Supported with new

knowledge and practices• Site specificity nature

Lessons Learnt• Government/ donors should

refrain from directly engaging in watershed management activities

• create an enabling environment; delivery of technical and advisory support

• Experience sharing tours for farmers

• Nothing should be given for free

• Building local level institution: CWMOs

• More emphasis has to be given to effective organization of communities rather than only focusing on introduction of technologies

e.g. At Lenche Dema • the watershed committee

was operational 2yrs after • others near formed

CWMOs(Tesfaye 2008)

…Lessons• Capacity building interventions

are necessary to manage their resources and to guarantee sustainability

• Molding democratic pragmatism (bottom up) within the existing administrative rationalism (top down) governmental structure

• E.g. A top-down approach by GTZ: no community involvement during planning (Tesfaye Habtamu, 2008)

community did not take over the payments for the guard

No attitude change

• Withdrawal strategy, continued follow up needed:

eg. At Dijl:• the spring had insufficient

flow and providing water• Its construction was poor• no management committee

was established• the spring is not functioning• the water harvesting

structures cracked

Technology

Watershed management experiences in Amhara Region, Ethiopia