Best practices in LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
Review of good practices in projects implemented within Czech Development Assistance in Ethiopia between 2010 and 2020 2 Best practices in LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
Review of good practices in projects implemented within Czech Development Assistance in Ethiopia between 2010 and 2020
3 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AFS All for Soil CCR Charitas Czech Republic CzDA Czech Development Agency CGS Czech Geological Survey DAs Development Agents FTCs Farmers Training Centres GSE Geological Survey of Ethiopia GTP I,II Growth and Transformation Plan I/NGOs International / Non-governmental organisations IWM Integrated watershed management JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency KAP Knowledge, attitudes and practices MoARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MENDELU Mendel University in Brno MERET Managing Resources to Enable Transition to Sustainable Livelihoods NRM Natural resource management ODA Official development assistance PIN People in Need SMS Sector Matter Specialist WASH Water, sanitation and hygiene WAO Woreda Agriculture office WMCs Watershed Management Committee
Published by: People in Need (PIN), December 2020
Authors: Jan Svitálek, Veronika Jelínková, Dominika Kobzová
Photo on the cover: Real gift campaign beneficiaries, Halaba, 2011; author: Jan Svitálek
Authors of the photos: Jan Svitálek, Dominika Kobzová, Harer Dugda, Petr Němec and their colleagues from project teams
Design: Martin Kovalčík
Acknowledgement: The authors would like to thank all those who have shared their ideas and expertise and contributed to making this toolkit what it is, in particular: Jan Ureš, Kassa Mesfin, Petros Ambaye, Lukáš Karas, Markéta Smrčková, Petr Němec, Amare Dimissie, Serkalem Getahun and others, who contributed and enabled the preparation of this review.
Disclaimer: This publication was produced with the financial support of the CzDA. Its contents are the sole responsibility of People in Need, authors and contributors of this publication and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CzDA.
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40 46 50
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Context of the publication 6 1.1 Czech development cooperation in Ethiopia in short 7 1.2 Projects implemented in the timeframe 2010 – 2020 9 1.3 Key implementing agencies 10 1.4 Relevant strategies in Ethiopia 12 2 Glossary 16 2.1 Institutions 17 2.2 Landscape 18 2.3 Infrastructure 19 3 Response of Czech cooperation 20 3.1 Key topics in NRM to CzDA's project teams 21 3.2 Field level technical practices 24 3.3 Nursery practices 29 3.4 Institutional and technical capacity building 32 3.5 Landscape mapping and risk analysis 36 4 Innovative concepts 40 4.1 Conservation agriculture 41 4.2 Agroforestry 42 4.3 Improved campaigning and participatory development 43 4.4 Behavioural change 45 5 Stories 46 6 Ways forward and recommendations 50 6.1 Technical innovations 51 6.2 Programming 52 6.3 Suggested modes of cooperation 53 7 Annexes 54 7.1 Review of projects implemented 54
List of Figures Figure 1: Infographics - Position of NRM within the system 23 Figure 2: Infographics - Actors and documents influencing the NRM 32
5 CONTEXT OF 1 THE PUBLICATION
Wind erosion in Halaba Special Woreda, 2011
6 CONTEXT OF 1.1 Czech development cooperation THE PUBLICATION in Ethiopia in short Ethiopia and the Czech Republic share a long history of mutual cooperation which includes humanitarian aid, scholarships, development cooperation, business relations, among others. The objective of this publication however is to present the experience of successful implementation of development projects with a focus on the management of natural resources (NRM) arising from the cooperation between these two countries. Ethiopia, as the vast country with the economy generating income mainly from Wheat field with erosion gully, Alaba, 2020 agriculture, is highly dependent on its natural resources, namely soil and water. Therefore, the importance of of global warming and climate change The first reforestation projects the conservation of these resources were gone. It was at this point when all financed from the Czech official in the country is deeply related to of the similar NRM initiatives began as development assistance (ODA) budget sufficient food production, stability, an effor t to address the challenges that were realized in Ethiopia started in 2008. the well-being of the population and Ethiopia was increasingly facing due to These projects were implemented under sustainable development. deforestation. specific sectoral ministries of the Czech So, the NRM programs, and Republic. This publication, however, is Exploited lands the climate smart programming mapping first of all the experience of As discussed further in detail, implemented later on, have actually projects which were realized since the Ethiopia is facing the impacts been part of an Ethiopian strategy for formulation of the first Memorandum and consequences of extensive many years, now it has become more of Understanding between the Czech deforestation which accelerated Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the significantly between 1960s to the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and 1980s and Ethiopia during these Economic Development (MoFED)1 and years basically lost - according various in 2011 that led to the classification sources - 60-70 % of its forests’ 60-70% of Ethiopia as a priority country for coverage. This was mostly due to the of its forests’ coverage Czech development cooperation needs of the growing population and and, subsequently, the formulation of the agricultural sector. This resulted in lost Ethiopia from the bilateral Development Cooperation problems such as disturbed landscapes, 1960s to the 1980s. Programmes for the periods of 2012- massive erosion, the loss of productive 20172 and more recently for 2018-20233, soil, and famines. All these problems under the supervision of the Czech were also linked to agriculture, obvious, not only in the countr y ’s Grow th Development Agency (CzDA). where Ethiopia was not able to meet and Development Plan, but also as part production standards, adequately feed of the Green Legacy Initiative in Ethiopia, Setting priorities its population and overcome poverty. which is a campaign that supports The objectives of the initial The trees which were intended to help yearly afforestation movements across program period prioritised social reduce carbon dioxide and the effects Ethiopia. development (education and health),
7 Plowed field in Lebu Koromo kebele, 2010
agriculture (forestry and fishing) and environment, agriculture, and water and sanitation in communities. the environment (water and disaster accessibility. Over multiple project Through this integration, projects risk reduction). The subsequent cycles, many improvements had been have a very positive impact on entire strategy then stressed even more m a d e i n t e r m s o f t h e p r o g r a m m e d e s i g n villages and communities as they the importance of environmental and in terms of aligning the strategies solve many challenges simultaneously. resilience in the context of Ethiopia, by and harmonising the approaches Besides the direct benefits to the local formulating three key objectives: among the Czech and Ethiopian population, the water source either for partners. The major improvements the nurseries or fields are established I. Agriculture and rural can most clearly be seen in the area of and maintained, so the forests and development coordination in terms of: agriculture production can prosper, as Ensuring universal access to →→ geographical coordination – does the socio-economic situation of safe, nutritious, and sufficient food projects were gathered in the same the areas as well. at all times of the year; introducing or neighbouring areas The next step for the future within sustainable soil and landscape →→ integration of sectors – projects the mutual cooperation of CzDA management strategies. with different scope were integrated and Ethiopia would be the overall together in one area integration of projects focusing on II. Sustainable management the comprehensive development of of natural resources Examples of good practice from a particular area, the sharing of best Ensuring universal and equal the Czech development assistance practices by neighbouring woredas access to safe and affordable drinking can be seen among projects which or zones (learning by doing) and water and to adequate sanitary and were realized in Sidama, Gedeo and the integration of commonly used hygiene facilities (with special regard to the Halaba zone. These projects indicators used for monitoring and the needs of women, girls, and young combine the focus on appropriate evaluation purposes. Not to forget, children); building sustainable drinking NRM techniques, afforestation, good building on the good practices water supply systems. agricultural practices, climate smart collected so far. agriculture and most of them are 1 Memorandum of Understanding between III. Humanitarian assistance related CzDA projects in the Water, the Czech MFA and the Ethiopian MoFED It stated clearly that the programme Sanitation and Hygiene sector (WASH) 2 Development Cooparation Programme of strategies of the NRM agenda are which are dealing with water supply, the CzDA – 2012-2017 3 Development Cooperation Programme of closely interlinked with sectors of the rehabilitation of water sources, the CzDA – 2018-2023
8 Projects implemented in the 1.2 timeframe 2010 – 2020
Sankura (NRM) Damboya (Agri) →→ People in Need →→ People in Need Halaba (Agri, NRM) Angacha (Agri, NRM) →→ People in Need →→ Caritas Czech Republic →→ Czech University Hawassa Zuria (Agri, NRM) of Life Science →→ People in Need →→ Mendel University in Brno →→ Mendel University in Brno →→ Geotest Hawassa (Agri) →→ People in Need Kacha Bira (Agri, NRM) →→ Mendel University in Brno →→ Mendel University in Brno →→ Geotest
Boricha (NRM) Shebedino (NRM) →→ People in Need →→ People in Need
Loka Abaya (NRM) →→ People in Need Aleta Chuko (Agri, NRM) →→ People in Need
Arba Mich Zuria (Agri, NRM) →→ Mendel University in Brno Haroresa (NRM) →→ Czech Geological Survey
Number of projects: Dilla Zuria (Agri, NRM) →→ People in Need →→ Czech Geological Survey
9 Key implementing 1.3 agencies
Ethiopia and the Czech Republic enjoy a long history of cooperation and a variety of stable partnerships namely on the institutional level or in technical transfers. Soon after the establishment of the CzDA in 2008, new programs of bilateral cooperation had been initiated in 2010, smoothening the cooperation, and allowing multiple partners from both sides to provide also the direct assistance to vulnerable communities including those imminently affected by environmental degradation and related challenges.
People in Need Ethiopia
People in Need has had Initially PIN was supporting the educational sector, a stable, institutionally later on WASH projects were included together with established mission in agriculture, social programmes, and humanitarian aid. Ethiopia since 2003. The Nowadays there are four main programming areas in mission is led by a country Ethiopia including various long-term projects. director and has several →→Environmental and Livelihoods Program departments ensuring the →→Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program - WASH mission set up. Besides →→Education and social programme CzDA, People in Need →→Emergency assistance enjoys support from multiple donors, including PIN is implementing the NRM projects based on the the EC, DFID, ECHO, OCHA and a variety of national and internally formulated strategy of sustainable livelihoods private donors. and environment (global) and the Environment, During this time, the character of the implemented Livelihoods and Agriculture Program Strategy, both of projects has changed, as have the sectors covered. which were formulated for 2015 – 2020.
MENDELU
Mendel University in Brno realized under the Czech Development Agency during (MENDELU) has been the GTP I and II phases). working in Ethiopia since The focus has been on NRM and agriculture in the 2010. Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regions Over the 10 years of (SNNPR), specifically: experience it has a sound →→Reforestation and forestry restoration, agroforestry, record of successful and non-timber production development projects and →→Management of protected areas, the rehabilitation of interventions in Ethiopia soil and its management that respond to the global as well as local environmental →→Water management and irrigation challenges (see the table in the Annex 1 for all projects →→Climate smart agriculture practices
10 Partners from Ethiopia
Hawassa University Arba Minch University Hawassa University is the biggest university in the SNNPR Arba Minch University is a national university in Arba Minch, state. Between 2017 and 2020, Awassa University has been SNNPR, Ethiopia. Mendel University cooperates with Arba implementing one NRM project collaboratively with PIN - Minch University in the fields of holistic management, climate “The Participatory Development of a Productive Landscape in smart agriculture, consultation in agriculture, pastoral farming Sidama“. The university implemented some of major project and agroforestry, cattle care, afforestation, and seedlings. activities such as: the capacity building of technical farmers to make sure that the beneficiaries are actively involved in the MERET rehabilitation of degraded lands and in regularly promoting MERET (Managing Environmental Resource to Enable the Ethiopian Government’s campaigns for the rehabilitation Transition to more sustainable livelihoods) is a project of degraded catchment areas, afforestation, etc. operating in five regions and 72 woredas in Ethiopia. In the current phase, the project deals with soil and water Wondo Genet College of Forestry conservation, reforestation and re-vegetation activities, The Wondo Genet College of Forestr y and Natural Resources the closure and management of degraded lands, water is a college situated in Shashemene, Oromia region, Ethiopia. harvesting, low-cost soil fertility management, agricultural Mendel University cooperates with Wondo Genet College in intensification around homesteads, income generating holistic management, climate smart agriculture, pastoral activities, feeder road construction and maintenance, and farming, agroforestry, afforestation, etc. local capacity building at different levels.
Other partners
Czech Geological Survey Holistic Solutions The Czech Republic and Ethiopia maintain a longstanding Holistic Solutions is a Czech company focused on technical cooperation in the field of geology. It dates back to late 1970s consultations and providing comprehensive services in the with the exchanging of experts between the Geological field of environmental protection, agriculture, and technology Survey of Ethiopia and the Czech Geological Survey. innovations. In Ethiopia, the company contributes to the In 2019, after forty years of cooperation, CGS and GSE sustainable agricultural activities of local farmers, access achieved the milestone of completing the hydrogeological to drinking water for people and livestock, simple irrigation mapping of the whole territory of Ethiopia. In 2012, CzDA system for small-scale farmers, the developing of solar started to support surveys related to the mapping of dryers for fruit, the protection of Lake Hawassa, as well as the geological risks, soil mapping, the prevention of landslides, rehabilitation of Hawassa’s city parks. monitoring seismic activity and overall development of the capacities in geo-hazard mapping, landscape management All for Soil and monitoring. All for Soil is a Czech NGO specialised in the field of soil and water conser vation management in SNNPR region. In Ethiopia it directly Charitas Czech Republic (CCR) addresses the importance of landscape management in practical CCR is a Czech branch of the international Charitas network, use by preparing and communicating advanced GIS and Remote providing both emergency relief as well as development Sensing analysis to local authorities and partners through as sis t ance. I t is ac t i ve in a major i t y of t he pr ior i t y coun t r ie s of t he preparation of thematic map materials, various workshops and CzDA and also supports the bilateral programming in Ethiopia training sessions. The main activities and focus of AFS are soil through its local network. It’s support of small-scale farming quality analysis, mapping and monitoring of natural resources, in the Kembata Tembaro zone highlighted the importance to soil and water conservation management, landscape modelling integrated watershed management in relation to food securit y. and advanced GIS and remote sensing analysis.
11 Relevant strategies 1.4 in Ethiopia
Growth and Transformation Plan In GTP I (formulated for 2010/114 – 2014/15) , it was clearly indicated that the agricultural sector would continue to be the main source of economic growth for the country. Within this sector the NRM was defined as the sub-sector. When looking on NRM from the broader perspective it is clear that the strong link with agriculture must be taken into account. GTP II has been formulated for the period 2015/16 – 2019/20 and basically follows the structure of GTP I. NRM is the sub-sector of agriculture and rural transformation and it fits there from the reasons which were presented in the previous chapter. There are three main goals and they are described as follows and further elaborated at the second part of this Harvest treshing in Halaba, 2011 chapter: →→ the development of smallholder crop and pastoral agriculture will be further enhanced and hence will Ensuring sustainable agriculture through the development of natural remain the main source of growth and rural transformation during the resources, aligning the agriculture development plan with the green GTP II5 period; economy development strategy coupled with the expansion of →→ provide all around support to irrigation developments are the strategic directions to be pursued educated youth to enable them to with regard to natural resource conservation and management. organise and engage in agriculture investment; →→ enhance the provision of the →→ the pursuit of holistic measures aligning the agriculture development plan necessary support for domestic and aimed at addressing the constraints with the green economy development selected foreign investors taking their and challenges related to the strategy coupled with the expansion of capacity into consideration to enable supply of agricultural inputs and irrigation developments are the strategic them to participate in transformative the utilization of agricultural directions to be pursued with regard agriculture sub-sectors such as crop, technologies. to natural resource conservation and flower, vegetables and fruits and management". livestock development; These points could be summarized →→ further pursue the implementation by the formulation of the objectives 4 https://www.greengrowthknowledge.org/ of the scaling up strategy as suitable gathered from the GTP II document: national-documents/ethiopia-growth-and- to the various agro-ecological "Ensuring sustainable agriculture through -transformation-plan-i 5 https://ethiopia.un.org/en/15231-growth- development zones; and the development of natural resources, -and-transformation-plan-ii
12 i The particular targets:
Crop Farming and Pastoral Development section of GTP II, includes following targets related to NRM: →→ Crop productivity and production →→ Coffee productivity and production →→ Horticulture productivity and production →→ Livestock productivity and production →→ Natural resources conservation and utilization →→ Improved production and productivity through strengthening demand driven agricultural research works →→ Improved sustainable national biodiversity conservation and equitable benefit to the community →→ Food security, disaster prevention and preparedness
Community-base Participatory Watershed Development Strategy Following the trending international initiatives of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Bank in early 2000s, the Ethiopian government developed a variety of strategies and guidelines, addressing the climate actions and stabilisation of the natural resources in the landscape. In 2005, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD), issued the Guidelines and methodology for integrated watershed development – “Community-based Participatory Watershed Development”. Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) is an approach that uses collective action by a group of people reliant on a watershed area to proactively manage the resources and natural community assets within the area. This includes actions to carefully manage the surface water (rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds) and groundwater (shallow and deep wells) within the watershed, as well as mutual agreements on resource use, including the use of surrounding land for agriculture and livestock Worker in Argeda nursery, Sidama 2019 grazing. As a result, IWM activities are happening all around Ethiopia with
13 different success rates. Many NGOs are on the functionality of water sources, the past during which Ethiopia has lost conducting NRM measures to protect however these are not standardized three quarters of its forested areas over the scarce land and preserve it for the among the implementors and regions. the last 60 years. The campaign was people and needed production. The One WASH could represent an example launched in 2019, with a demonstration common recommendation of the of similar initiatives that could happen in 2020 on June 5th in Hawassa by prime actors involved in such projects is that in IWM and would be a great example minister Abyi Ahmed. This campaign the duration should be long term as of intersectoral integration. is presenting the effort of Ethiopia to only couple of years is not sufficient and sustain biodiversity and its commitment these programs are complex in nature Climate Resilience and to green, climate resilient growth. It is which results from the description Green Economy Strategy great to see an underdeveloped country above. Ensuring the funding for it Ethiopia is experiencing the effects approaching development this way should be a common effor t of the donor of climate change. Besides the direct as many developed countries are still and recipient country. effects, such as an increase in average denying the need for a climate resilient This publication is intended to be temperature or a change in rainfall economy. Ethiopia has planned for an introduction to the common NRM patterns, climate change also presents a huge number of trees to be planted (20 practices (as part of IWM strategies in the necessit y and oppor tunit y to s witch billion over the next 4 years), but even Ethiopia/GTP II) that are being used in to a new, sustainable development if the targeted survival rate which will Ethiopia. The practices are well known model. The Government of the Federal be hard to verify, the effort should be among actors involved in IWM however Democratic Republic of Ethiopia appreciated and supported. the methods of execution differ. These has therefore initiated the Climate- It is also necessary to point out that practices must be put into the context Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) the Green Legacy Initiative is nothing of the specific geographic area, not Initiative to protect the country from new to Ethiopia. The afforestation the administrative borders. Then the efforts have been happening regularly placement within the landscape must every year as part of so-called be considered and at last people must watershed campaign around July be determined and well trained to during the Meher (i.e. the long rainy understand the need for maintenance 72% season). The watershed campaign and further management of NRM. of Ethiopians rely on mobilizes people all across the country to work on NRM measures including One WASH farming or are employed tree planting that usual start in July In 2013, Ethiopia has introduced in agriculture. with the rainy season in Ethiopia. These a unique program called One WASH, watershed campaigns are followed and outlined in the WASH Implementation supported by many donors, including Framework launched in 2011, aiming the adverse effects of climate change CzDA, as the seedlings production to make significant improvements to and to build a green economy that will is cost demanding and wouldn´t be the harmonization, coordination, and help the country realise its ambition of possible to such a large extent without monitoring of water supply initiatives. reaching middle income status before external funding. The Ministries of Water, Health, Finance, 2025. The objective is to identify green Planting trees, but especially Education, and a network of private economy opportunities that could help ensuring the survival of the seedlings, development partners are trying to Ethiopia reach its ambitious growth wouldn´t be possible without tackle the water and sanitation crisis. targets while keeping greenhouse additional activities which must take This program primarily focuses on gas emissions low. The government place jointly. Rivers, ponds, or water the rehabilitation of water resources Intends to attract development reservoirs in the vicinity must be and the overall coverage of the partners to help implement this new established for the irrigation purposes, country in terms of water, however and sustainable growth model. or the ground water recharged the other components like sanitation through various NRM measures. These are included. The evidence of water Reforestation campaigns activities are usually also supported in sources is being mapped jointly by - Green Legacy Ethiopia development projects and must be different actors and their databases Through the Green Legacy campaign, seen as an inseparable part of these are included and are providing data Ethiopia is targeting the ghosts from initiatives.
14 BEFORE...
Kajima Umbulo 2010 - 2018
...AFTER
15 2 GLOSSARY
This chapter is intended to draw your attention to the most frequent terms which are being used during the implementation of these types of projects and are important for understanding the context of natural resource management in Ethiopia.
Kajima Umbulo Kebele, 2010
16 2.1 Institutions
Woreda Office Model & Technical Farmers control structures, managing the drip Is the basic administration unit There is a division in every woreda irrigation, etc. Similarly, like model serving multiple communities (kebeles). and kebele which exists for the farmers, every technical farmer should It fulfils the role of governance, classification of farmers. Despite some be responsible for five ordinary farmers coordination, planning and monitoring standardisation efforts, the specific in a given neighbourhood. to the lowest level of kebeles of par ticular selection criteria and definitions differs woreda. The structure is similar to the across kebeles. This fact complicates the Productive Safety Net whole state apparatus. On each level work of development workers and also Program (PSNP) we can find specific woreda offices make the evaluation and monitoring In reac tion to persisting food securit y with a certain purpose (WAO – woreda more difficult, as we get slightly different in some areas PSNP had been initiated in agriculture office, WHO – woreda health data from different kebeles based on 2005 in order to prevent household asset office, WWO – woreda water office, etc.) what these farmers are responsible depletion and create community assets for. Nonetheless, a model farmer is among most vulnerable households. Watershed Management a farmer who is the role model for other With assistance from Development Committees farmers in the neighbourhood. He/ Agents, the system monitors the Exist in each kebele but the level of she is usually responsible for 5 other situation of individual households their activity varies. These committees farmers and their responsibilities lie and triggers the public works in cases are primarily established to monitor in transferring the good practices or of urgent need. For participating in the situation in the watershed and are know-how in agriculture like the usage of the public works, the beneficiaries involved in the works during watershed fertilisers, conservation agriculture and are granted cash, food, or agriculture campaigns. They should also be involved other modern methods which are also materials. This program has a high level in maintenance and rehabilitation works. promoted on the level of FTC. Technical of relevance to activities related to NRM The level of the technical knowledge farmers sometimes are misinterpreted as the most common works are usually among members varies which is as model farmers which complicates the done during annual campaigns related to very visible and essential during the classification even more. But generally agriculture. Typically annual watershed performed works in the watershed. technical farmers are supposed to be or irrigation campaign organised for those who are able to give advice on works in degraded and rehabilitated Development Armies technical issues like building erosion- community areas. Is the name for a group of people, usually volunteers who are willing to advise their respective community on a certain topic which is currently being promoted under governmental strategies. They also invest their free time to visit people from the kebele to check on how they are doing, if they experience any difficulties with the promoted topic. Such topic might be focused on malnutrition or issues like fertiliser usage, building terraces, etc. For specific purposes, the Development armies breakdown into a more specific development group either according the topic or for practice reasons such as the Corn field by erosion gully, Awassa Zuria, 2011 coverage of a given community.
17 Kajima Umbulo Kebele, 2010
2.2 Landscape
Pastures Nonetheless, Ethiopia lost its forest cover loss. This can and is being slowly done Ethiopia suffers from overgrazing. in whatever form over the last six decades by protective (physical and biological) Cattle, goats, and sheep are found and this loss is responsible for most of measures on private lands, rotation of basically on all types of land and the problems with land degradation and crops, etc. significantly contribute to land loss of the productive soil, the decrease in degradation. The variety of pastures agriculture production and the infertility of Erosion gullies ranges from those in densely populated the land. Erosion gullies are visible in almost all areas in the Ethiopian highlands, where parts of Ethiopia. Formed as the result more sedentary livelihoods are common Fields of land disturbance, they are most often to arid extensive pastures which are Related to the problem of land created because of the loss of natural populated by pastoralists that are at degradation also the fields are being cover like forests, which makes the soil times even nomads. In both contexts, affected. One of the most significant more susceptible to water and wind at present these pastures are usually problem is loss of fertile land which is erosion. Gullies represent a serious overexploited as extensive farming is being washed away when no erosion- threat to people, land (fields) in this case still broadly applied in Ethiopia instead of control measures are applied. This does they are not treated properly can expand more suitable forms of intensification. In not only concern the fertility of the land, several centimetres every year due to densely populated areas, the trend is set but also how it decreased the quantity the rains. Gullies are absorbing the soil for the fodder production and adoption of soil. Families are facing problems from neighbouring areas thus making of cut and carry system. that their fields are not able to provide walkways or fields smaller and unusable. them with sufficient quantity of food Besides the soil loss and increased Forests and because of decreasing land area threat of flash-floods, the gullies have Ethiopia has a broad variety of the farmers are no longer able to plant become a vivid evidence and feature of ecosystems, from deserted arid areas sufficient crops. Ethiopia within the Ethiopia’s fragmented landscape often through bushlands and savannas, alpine watershed campaigns should shift creating a significant problems when vegetation, to tropical humid riverine the focus from the communal land to it comes to the movement of people, or forests. The definition of a forest in Ethiopia the private land and farmers' fields to development of infrastructure (roads, is therefore complicated and broad at best. protect the productive soil from further pipelines).
18 2.3 Infrastructure
Nurseries There are several types of nurseries profitable and heavily dependent but the most common ones are the on the external governmental and governmental district nurseries. They often international funding. Very few are responsible for the sufficient profitable private nurseries provide the production of tree seedlings which are services in the targeted areas. then usually used for the plantations involved in governmental campaigns, usually on degraded lands and the production is planned based on the inquiries from particular kebeles. 18 000 When the funding is ensured the More then 18 000 FTCs workforce, materials, seedlings, and Farmers Training Centres other consumables are usually used efficiently to produce the large numbers were established all over of needed seedling. Nonetheless, the country by 2019. the governmental nurseries are not
Closure areas Present one of the non-technical institutional erosion control measures. Most of the closure areas are established on degraded lands. Access and use of such areas is limited by administrative measures (bylaws, community agreements) and Practical training at FTC physical measures (guards, fences). Management of the areas is intended to be established from the very beginning in some of the areas while some are simply closed and left so that they can regenerate naturally. The primary goal desired Farmers Training Centres (FTCs) by the community is to rehabilitate the grass cover, so the cut-and-carry system These are units established under can be restarted and grass could be either sold or used as fodder. The concept of a woreda agricultural office (WAO). closure areas serves both the rehabilitation of degraded land and it is one of the Each kebele should have an FTC first steps on the way of transitioning from extensive to intensive farming, while within its administration area. An creating complementary livelihoods like beekeeping, fruit production, etc. FTC serves as the training centre for particular farmers and is responsible for their training and direct support on their fields and cooperation during governmental campaigns. They are also responsible for the presentation of innovative techniques and direct demonstrations of agricultural practices on demonstration fields. They employ Development Agents responsible for the dissemination of best practices among farmers and close observation of the works taking Woreda nursers in Halaba Kulito place in farmers' fields.
19 RESPONSE OF CZECH 3 COOPERATION
Colletion of soil samples by AFS, Lebu Koromo, 2018
20 RESPONSE OF CZECH 3.1 Key topics in NRM to COOPERATION CzDA's project teams
The results of GTP I suggest that the technologies and know-how. Actually, i The particular targets: main target within the agriculture sector the concept of Development Armies, was to bring a shift from subsistence regardless of how they are being used, By the end, in GTP II section on "Crop farming to the production of high value is a key modality for the dissemination productivity and production", NRM agricultural products. These resulted in of good practices in Ethiopia. Therefore actions fall under three areas: →→ rural land administration, an average real agricultural GDP growth in the subsequent GTP II, this is seen →→ watershed management and rate of 6.6% per annum during the plan as the key instrument of moving →→ expansion of small-scale irrigation. implementation period which was from subsistence farming into the below the planned 8 %, suggesting that production of commercial crops. The the sector was still underperforming, concept of these community networks When it comes to the CzDA’s NRM despite the application and promotion is quite suitable to the context and programming, most of the projects of improved seeds, inputs, and culturally also well accepted. The issue in last decade fell under the strategic techniques in agriculture. One of the here is again the quality of the work, area of watershed management primary reasons behind this, is the skills and knowledge which is being and targeted primarily the direct excessive exploitation of natural transferred through this network as it field works in the affected and resources, including deforestation, that might hinder the attainment of the end degraded areas and supporting the further fuel the ongoing degradation of product. communities through agriculture fragile soils and their loss by heav y water development armies in activities and wind erosion. Technical support like establishment of the closure Another reason for not reaching A l l i n a l l , t h e s t e p s f o r n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e areas, the application of biological the targets is also seen in insufficient conservation and development that measures or physical constructions scaling up of the knowledge were performed during GTP I are still of erosion control infrastructure with among the network of Agriculture considered to be a success. Therefore, the complementary support to the Development Armies i.e. the local the authors of the GTP II followed with production of the tree seedlings in community actors that are supposed the same practices, while addressing nurseries. More details in Chapters to scale up the use of recommended main gaps. 3.2 and 3.4.
Fodder grass plantation Seedling transport Pond construction
21 Alaba beneficiaries feedback
Grain mill installation Instalation of irrigation in Ramada
Along with the implementation These technical activities confirmed on the soft components that would of these technical activities, all the existing gaps in the organisation of target the population of individual implementing teams provided a variety community structures and their general communities as well as the capacity of of technical expertise in related awareness of NRM, as well as the know- assigned governmental specialists and specialisations (nursery production, how of technical farmers or Development the use of extension workers in fields reforestation, gully treatment, soil Agents of good landscape management. and on the woreda level. So they could works etc.) as well as the support These gaps often challenged the efficiently follow agreedAnnual Action and guidance to various actors in the sustainability and durability of the Plans for irrigation and watershed community – Development Armies, provided technical measures. management campaigns. These soft Technical Farmers, Model Farmers, components ranged from technical as well as Development Agents, Soft components trainings to community campaigning representing the government extension Therefore, in later project cycles and communication. More details are actors in each of the kebeles. implementers focused much more explained in chapter 3.3.
22 Challanges identified in GTP II
…and insufficient Lack of land …due to …insufficient scale-up of for production… erosion,… NRM… knowledge and technologies
Components of NRM in GTP
Rural land Irrigation Watershed management administration
Response of CzDA and Implementers
Nursery Field technical Mapping, Capacity building production; measures in Planning Participatory Water retention watersheds and design monitoring
FIGURE 1: Infographics - Position of NRM within the system
The key to the establishment of →→ participatory planning – taking resource management (NRM) strategy, sustainable practices though, is to into account the land use and land but essentially overlaps with the search for and promote long-term ownership dynamics, Rural Land Administration. This had solutions. In each kebele, these are →→ quality technical and community been supported technically by the defined in the Kebele Development works, and Czech Development Agency’s projects Plan or Strategy, which should also →→ participatory monitoring. through analysis and training, include a Landscape Management community facilitation sessions or Plan. There are more details in Chapter 3.5. awareness campaigns. It’s a formulation and long-term Local administration then has an application that poses a crucial Rural administration support irreplaceable role for example in terms development objective, that pays This long-term planning and of the development of the local bylaws significant attention to all the stages formulation does indeed still fall and regulations – e.g. in agreeing on related to: under the watershed development the land access and land use rights, as →→ technical and socioeconomic component of the Growth and well as the duties and responsibilities analysis, Transformation Plan II Natural or the landowners.
23 Field level 3.2 technical practices
Key challenges addressed Today soil and water conservation occupies a very important place, if not the most important one, in natural resource management planning at all administrative levels across Ethiopia (from a region to a kebele and to a community). Field level technical practices (FLTPs) are basically the very last stage of natural resource management, but the most critical one and also the most visible one. At the same time, FLTPs are the main implementation tool for sustainable Half-moon basins demonstration development in rural areas. Uncertain land tenure, deforestation, excessive grazing, outdated farming are communal grazing lands, woodlands and processes, incorrect design methods, and recurrent droughts (due with open access and cultivated lands on or management of environmental to climate change) are the main causes hillsides. There is no restriction on the remediation works very often leads to of land degradation on sloped pieces of ownership of livestock, land users can further degradation instead of improved land, followed by severe water erosion. own as much livestock as they can afford, conditions within the watershed. The extensive formation of gullies and which is another factor that contributes The most common mistakes in landslides causes damage over a large significantly to land overload. erosion control management and soil area. One of the origins of gully erosion The technical quality of the and water conservation measures on hillisdes is the mismanagement of implemented erosion control measures implementation are: roads and footpaths in terms of drainage. varies from kebele to kebele. The →→ Not respecting the borders of The areas that are particularly affected underestimation of natural conditions a watershed area.
i Gully erosion phenomenon:
Gully erosion is one of the most challenging environmental sandbags, etc.). This is only possible if the soil present is not rich problems in Ethiopia. In the intervention areas where we work in swellable clays (so-called Vertisol) in the locality of interest. there are gullies sometimes of enormous size. Their formation However, Vertisol is a widespread soil type in Ethiopia. It is very is influenced by a number of physical factors such as rainfall, difficult to control gullies with this soil type, because check dams topography, soil properties and vegetation cover. But still most constructions are damaged and bypassed by runoff in a very short of the gullies are formed due to human activities (improper land amount of time due to the swelling and shrinking behaviour of use, overgrazing / free grazing, road construction, trails, and Vertisols in soil. Gully rehabilitation thus becomes inefficient and footpaths). extremely expensive in terms of unnecessarily spent funds and The rehabilitation of gullies is lengthy, more complicated, and human labour. This example highlights the importance of having expensive than taking measures to reduce splash and rill erosion. knowledge of soil typology and soil properties for sustainable It is generally known that preventing a gully formation is more gully rehabilitation. Based on the knowledge we have acquired of economical than reclaiming them. When a gully is already formed, the soil typology, check dams and other stone-based structural it is most often controlled by using check dams (gabion, stone, measures are not recommended in this area.
24 →→ Improper design of erosion control structures (deviation from contour lines – the level of soil bunds and fanya juu; inadequate or poorly placed water harvesting systems, structures misplacement etc.). →→ Poor or complete lack of maintenance of erosion control structures. →→ Poor revegetation activities and management of trees, shrubs, and fodder grass. →→ A completely missing network of waterways (which are needed for draining excess runoff). →→ Free or unrestricted grazing. →→ Poor knowledge and underestimation of natural conditions and processes. →→The different level of technical knowledge among the main actors. →→ Insufficient planting based on the size of the watershed area.
Provided solution Support to public community works - FLTPs have been implemented mostly during the watershed campaign on public land (usually in closure areas) through assistance to public community works. The most frequently implemented erosion control measures within the watershed campaign on public land are: soil/stone bunds, water har vesting systems (trenches, pits, etc.), micro-basins, check dams, revegetation and cut and carry practices. Level bunds, level fanya juu, bench terraces, intercropping and mulching are locally applied on cropland. Despite all the successes we have had in land rehabilitation, only a small percentage of croplands have been treated with soil and water conservation measures. If we consider that most rural areas have steeper slopes, there is still a need to further apply such measures on a large area of croplands. Appropriate application of technical standards to specific Model construction of the terraces and water retention structures, Arba areas: The community structures, represented usually by the WMCs, Minch Zuria, 2019
25 Closure area in Boricha Woreda, Sidama, 2016
Development Armies and WAO experts, of the area where soil and water landscape before proposing erosion are already well aware of the guidelines conservation measures are to be control measures. The process and standards presented by the implemented. of implementing erosion control government. These include: Proper planning and designing: measures should be objective oriented →→ Community Based Participatory An important issue of sustainable and the responsibility of the owners in Watershed Development Guideline design of soil and land rehabilitation managing, maintaining, and utilizing →→ Soil and Water Conservation in is the identification of users and the the erosion control measures. These Ethiopia: Guidelines for Development development of a use concept or measures need to be elaborated and Agents management plan. In most cases, the agreed upon, including who will have →→ Managing Land. A Practical access to the eventual production Guidebook for Development Agents (grass, trees, wood, water). in Ethiopia. Runoff control across the 8,6 million watershed area: The network However their proper application of grassed waterways should in a specific locality and ecological farmers participated be developed in the first year of context is crucial. Since the localities in PSNP in Ethiopia rehabilitation activities (before where CzDA operates have a wide in 2020. constructing any other structures) to range of climatic conditions and soil improve soil conservation management variety, as well as many different on clay-rich soil. Graded structures altitudes from lowlands to highlands, erosion control measures extend rather than level structures should be the same soil and water conservation beyond the various fields of land preferred on clay-rich soils (due to their techniques cannot be applied owned by many land users. slow infiltration rate) to bring the excess everywhere. Natural conditions, such Therefore, the users should be runoff water safely down to the lowest as climate and soil, are the framework identified and the boundaries need parts of the landscape. This is the only for land management. Therefore, it is to be clearly defined and reflect way to protect clay soils against water necessary to know the characteristics the topography of the functional erosion.
26 Reducing overgrazing: Since one The inclusion of private lands: to conserve nature, use wisely the of the great contribution factors for The field level technical practices in natural resources connected with land degradation is free, unrestricted recent years have been carried out afforestation, and engage in soil and grazing. Most of the livestock animals on a large scale mostly during the water conservation. freely graze on both communal and watershed campaign on public land Hands-on design of the erosion individual farmland. Due to this critical mostly with level soil bunds and control measures: The importance challenges, both the farmlands and afforestation on degraded land in area of well performed FLTP in the field communal lands are affected by severe closures. Much more must be done in lies within the farmers hands under erosion problems. Based on these the future mainly on private lands and the guidance of Technical farmers and DAs. The proper planning of the WAO is necessary only when it comes Farmers are often reluctant to build terraces an other measures on to more technical structures (dams, their fields as they fear loosing cropping area. Those who do it though, ponds, waterways). As explained do so because it actually improves their production and yields. earlier, the success of such measures is based on having an understanding not only the technical measures, but visible problems, as has been the case in the upper parts of the watershed also of the landscape dynamics and of the Halaba NRM project star ting from area. In order to stop the spreading watershed principles, as well as of the 2016 up to now, effectively working on of degraded areas into cultivated communication within the relevant the expansion and adoption of new land, it is also necessary to conserve watershed committees and cross border fodder grasses at both the FTCs and the borders of the degraded areas. authorities. The solution lies among Individual farmer’s level need to take Long-term growth and sustainable having sufficient technical knowledge this issue into consideration. Currently development in rural areas can be in watershed management and also in most of the targeted farmers and achieved if community and individual good communication between all of the FTCs are successfully adopting the farmers are supported in their efforts relevant actors. development of fodder grasses in their gardens.
Recommendations and best practices Erosion control in cultivated land: While the attention has remained largely on degraded lands, the areas most at risk are actually the actively cultivated lands and private fields. These however require different conservation measures from those required on grassland or forestland. The attention to cultural and social aspects are also crucial, so the farmers are willing to accept and adopt the appropriate farming methods. Nonetheless, without such understanding and cooperation from the farmers, landscape management planning is impossible to implement. That is why closely working with the community is considered essential, along with the intensive promotion of good agriculture Faynaju terraces in fields practices, e.g. conservation agriculture.
27 in erosion management planning. Agricultural practices should be promoted that improve soil quality and fertility: intercropping, multi-story cropping - combination with farmland agroforestry, crop rotation, cover crops and green manuring, composting, and manuring. Promotion of fodder crops and trees as biological forms of erosion control: To relieve the pressure of overgrazing, especially in densely populated areas, it is important to support the production of fodder crops and grasses. The planting fodder crops, grasses or trees as a biological control Water runoff control - contour soil bunds measure then serves two purposes – it stabilises the erosion-control measures and it contributes to the development The design of the FLTPs must be the borders of a watershed area and of integrated agriculture (i.e. the preceded by detailed planning. As to be always start in the upper part of the combined production of animals and described below and in further chapters watershed, especially when it comes to crops). 3.4 and 3.5 water harvesting activities. Therefore, all implementers Planning at the watershed level: Good knowledge of soil properties: promoted the diversification of fodder The recommended soil and water Understanding soils conditions (e.g. resources by combining grasses and conservation measures must be soil depth, soil texture - such as loam, legumes, the planting of fodder as an carefully selected with respect to the sandy loam, or clay) and how they erosion control measures through the agro-climatic zone and soil conditions affect soil and water conservation use of grasses and legumes (e.g. desho within the area of interest, as well as practices. Soil's physical and chemical grass with pigeon pea), by planting the local topography, land use and properties affect plant growth and soil of fodder on unproductive places on land cover and cultural and social conservation management therefore, farms and by promotion of the cut-and- aspects. Erosion control must respect they should be taken into account carry system for fodder harvesting.
Degraded area in Aleta Chuko Woreda, 2017
28 Nursery 3.3 practices
Key challenges addressed The production of seedlings and tree nurseries have a long tradition in Ethiopia and a large variety of these nurseries can be found in each of the regions. The tree seedling production had been supported by the Ethiopian governments for decades now, creating a good awareness of the importance of the tree seedling production. The seedling production then varies from the household level, through community and FTC nurseries, to district or cluster nurseries run on the level of individual woredas. The production of tree seedlings is then less common Fruit tree distributions for households in the traditional sense of agriculture or forestry. With few historical and regional exceptions, the investment in quality genetic seed material (either led by individual implementers focused reforestation is usually seen as the role generative of vegetative origin) and on the technical improvements and of the government. lack of infrastructure that creates bad sustained production of woreda Demand for the tree seedlings conditions for seedling production nurseries. This request was highly is also motivated largely by annual relevant as the steady supply of the tree governmental campaigns, such as seedling is a major preconditions for the annual watershed management any landscape management measures campaign or national reforestation and works to take place in target campaigns, such as Green Legacy 4.1 billion communities and kebeles. Over 15 tree Initiative in 2019. Therefore, the trees planted nurseries were supported and improved backbone of the recent governmental in "Green Legacy within the program. These nurseries reforestation efforts is still seen in Initiative" in 2020. are producing fruit trees, fast-growing the district and woreda nurseries, and multifunctional trees, and trees for supported from the woreda and park greenery, either in containers or governmental budgets, which can (lack of shading, no water source, bare root. All of the support nurseries produce high quantities of resilient and no irrigation system). The biggest were modernized and provided with easy to produce seedlings. Only few challenge then is the budgetary and the essential production materials and private nurseries are being created as economic unsustainability, combined infrastructure a result. with costly solutions of the production, Irrigation systems: All nurseries From the technical perspective, just like the use of the polyethylene have a water source that includes the there are several key challenges tubes as a main production system. primary distribution (pump, elevated related to the production in the tank, and metal pipes), and secondary district nurseries, such as untrained Provided solutions distribution (pipes and hoses) which workers, (who are often paid in Building on the requests of the distribute the water among the cash-for-work schemes), low- Ethiopian counterparts, CzDA assistance germination and planting plots. Water
29 by Czech and Ethiopian specialists in order to make the production of tree seedlings more efficient, so the total production of seedling available for reforestation has increased. This did not necessarily always decrease the number of the workers in the nurseries, lowered costs, or increased community demand for the seedlings. Recognising the emergency and development context: Reforestation and related nursery production efforts have been and still are often carried out in the format of cash-for-work Seedlings production in Ramada nursery or using emergency funding. This approach is entirely justifiable as many of the households in rural Ethiopian source and access had usually been topics ranging from the management find themselves in the emergency improved, typically exploiting available of work, transplanting, germination, status repeatedly and are in need of surface water nearby, seep-in wells, seedling care, protection to seed imminent support. Such an approach ponds, or shallow wells. collection, reproduction, and grafting. has also been widely supported by Infrastructure: The large production Increasing the genetic variety: funding from PSNP or MERET initiatives of the seedlings require, if we counting Quality genetic material was taken giving the opportunities to sustain the sometimes hundreds of thousands from verified seed sources, provided in their livelihoods and contribute to of seedlings required, an appropriate cooperation with a partner, the Forestry NRM or nursery works. This though logistical and technical background. Research Centre. Suitable tree species also means that often unskilled labour Fencing, warehouses, tools, access roads were selected for each special locality gives assistance to nursery production. were therefore provided to nurseries as and produces in nurseries purpose – Implementers therefore navigated needed, so that the production could Acacia saligna, Grevillea robusta and Olea the cooperation with individual WAOs not only be achieved, but protected, Africana as fast-growing trees for erosion- to balance the trainings of skilled and managed, and properly distribute the control plantations, and Mangifera unskilled labour and focus primarily seedlings. Adjustment of the germination Ethiopia hosts two of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots; methods: Shading materials, germination Ethiopian flora is estimated to about 6000 species of higher plants tents and tools had been provided for of which 10% are considered to be endemic. germination process. In order to decrease germination losses, the new materials were tested, such as non-woven fabric indica, Papaya spp., Coffea spp., Moringa on the long-term investments and also shading were used before and after their stenopetalla and M. oleifera and over 30 include livelihoods groups in order to transplantation into plastic bags. For more species. Fruit trees were promoted increase the long-term impact of the the seedling production, quality genetic among local farmers, fast-growing and CzDA programming. material was used, and to ensure the multifunctional trees were used in Replacing the polyethylene health of seedlings, the non-woven fabric erosion-control plantations, and trees tubes: “PET” tubes are the preferred was used instead of traditional palm leaves for park greenery were planted in public material for the germination and (palm leaves can cause fungal diseases. areas in Hawassa. a transportation container, which is Training foremen and labourers: unfortunately costly and causes plastic To ensure quality seedling production, Recommended practices pollution. Alternative solutions, such suitable nursery staff was trained during As seen above, multiple technical as hobra had been tested. Growing training and workshops. Both skilled and improvements and recommendations seedlings in hobra, helps to create unskilled labourers were trained, with the have been promoted over the las t dec ade strong root system compared to the
30 green part of the plant. The sur vival of such planting material is higher than seedlings in plastic pots. Use of hobra bricks also saves the nursery space as one brick takes only 10 cm² compared to 8cm pot, which takes about 50 cm². Another issue is inaccessibility of the material in southern Ethiopia, which could be solved through the construction of a simple mechanical winch that can create such bricks by pressing them out of local sawdust. The Patrik system has also been used as an alternative innovative solution, which consists of the reusable plastic crates and provides a good environment for germination and transportation. Production of planting materials on community level: As long as the seedlings are primarily produced in the district, cluster or woreda nurseries and then provided for the plantation to the communities for free, there is almost no sense of ownership of the resulting plantation by the community. Needless to say, the capacities of the centralised production is rarely sufficient to meet the needs of all the woredas and the kebeles in one season, so many development armies are idle. Therefore, in all areas, Sidama, Halaba or Kembata Tembaro, the implementers focused also on the support of the production of the tree seedlings in the community. The community seedling production can be concentrated on the F TC premises, with agriculture cooperatives, elementary schools, church structure or variety of youth groups and individuals, including private entities. The key element is to provide the variety of seedlings and planting materials, which not only serves for reforestation purposes, but also covers the demands of the community and leads to greater Handover of fruit tree seedlings at FTC premises in Loka Abaya Woreda, economic sustainability of the community nursery. 2018
31 Institutional and technical 3.4 capacity building
Key challenge addressed When it comes to institutional ACTORS ROLE IN THE NRM CHALLENGES capacity building, the extension SYSTEM system as it is currently set up in Watershed Management Landscape planning in the →→ Lack of analysis Ethiopia presents quite a solid and Comities - WMCs Community →→ Lack of well-developed structure on its own. Technical farmers - TFs Mobilising the community technical skills In terms of information dissemination Lead farmers - LFs for public work campaigns. →→ Lack of Ethiopia managed to develop and staff
Community Development Armies Building the Infrastructure investments a robust structure from top to bottom, including the extension agents based Development Agents - DAs →→ Summarising Action →→ High turnover in every individual kebele. However, Sector Matter Specialists - plans of DAs – poor what is missing, is often the technical SMSs →→ Guidance & long-term knowledge on particular issues and WAO teams evaluation know-how knowledge being well transferred Communication officers →→ Funding & →→ Loss of experts between the various levels followed mobilisation →→ Unclear Woreda level Woreda up by proper monitoring mechanisms →→ FTP Formulation messaging and evaluations. It is very common that the information is misinterpreted and Regional / Zonal inappropriately adjusted when applied. →→Guidance in →→ Lack of quality Agriculture Office & watershed monitoring This was also stated in the GTP II as one Bureau management data of the key challenges.
Provided solutions & level Zone level Regional Introducing new knowledge, principle, or technology, like Landscape FIGURE 2: Infographics - Actors and documents influencing the NRM Management Plans or the soil survey used in PIN´s programs, always requires When it comes to landscape the planned strategies is one of the inviting representatives from different management and NRM, the importance biggest challenges experienced in administrative levels. For each of them according to the authors of this the implemented projects. In fact, the different information is important. publication lies in three key areas. activities and capacities of the NGOs For the region level, this is more about →→ Systematic knowledge transfer and external development agencies planning and strategies covering more among administration levels, often step in to fill the gaps, where the affected areas, for zone we go to the monitoring and evaluation. implementation of the governmental specific cross border strategies and →→ Well trained staff in terms of technical s trategies is not being applied properl y cooperation, while on the woreda/ knowledge and skills. or without a sufficient understanding kebele level we talk about the actual →→ Dedicated and responsible extension of the long-term effects. works to be performed. But all the agents with low turnover in their The information comes from the concerned people should understand positions. regional or zonal level, with more the whole strategy, its purpose and this or less clear instructions which is should be reflected into actual yearly Systematic knowledge transfer somehow modified by the users as plans and discussed with farmers who among administration levels, it passes through the system. The are at the end of the day the main people monitoring and evaluation external or local experts then provide that have to perform the work well if the Knowledge transfer: proper trainings on the key concepts of the structures are to stay in good shape. follow-up among the stakeholders on governmental strategies, testing the
32 feasibility of the technical solutions and tailoring the solutions to specific contexts. Cross-border coordination among administrations: The system of control over the knowledge and the way it is interpreted by the kebeles or woredas is based on the cluster teams of SMSs, is supposed to unify the interpretation of the knowledge among farmers. However, the administrative boundaries do not always reflect the watershed boundaries and once the extension officers are informed in a different way it is hard to talk about cross-border cooperation within a particular watershed. So when the Landscape Management Plans are Promotion of Conservation agriculture formulated, joint planning and training sessions need to be held, even for the staff beyond the project immediate area managerial data and provides little Well trained staff in technical of implementation. technical information or feedback to knowledge and skills Electronic monitoring, presentations farmers. Watershed management & participatory monitoring: If everyone In the last project cycle People in trainings: As described in detail in shares the same information, then all Need with its partner All for Soil, started chapter 3.2., there is variety of erosion of the work can be jointly planned with to focus more on the development of control measures promoted in general, concerned neighbouring areas and the database and monitoring system, and experts - as well as public - are there should be also an evaluation done which tested four main components: generally aware about the erosion- at the end by respective authorities. →→ participatory monitoring of the control measures. But the quality and Once the field work is done the community Technical Farmers, appropriateness of the application evaluation should take place and the →→ electronic data collection, of these is still a challenge. Even if results should be communicated to →→ building a monitoring database, and something has been repeated many the zone and the region. This reporting →→ tools for presentation – in electronic times in field, there’s a problem with however generally only provide overall and online formats. incorrectly performed works. This
Soil monitoring workshop conference "Sustainable Landscape Practices and Challanges in Sidama" supported by CzDA, Hawassa, 2018
33 Training of community Health Extension Workers, Awassa Zuria, 2011
is caused by different factors, but t ype of soil is present in the area (ver tisol, that were provided, this also included insufficient technical knowledge or luvisol, fluvisol, etc.). Nonetheless, teaching and trainings materials, (books, a lack of practical experience with investments made to the development stationery, manuals and guidelines, leading the farmers and workers in the of NRM and erosion control measures office equipment), equipment for their field are two common ones. Therefore, (such as gabions and check dams) or living quarters and for accommodation, watershed management trainings community infrastructure (such as bicycles, motorbikes and on occasion usually focuses on providing a refresher ponds and construction projects) can be also computer equipment and TVs. to improve the appropriate application significant, but the lack of soil analysis Support of the community or innovation in the structural and often leads to their loss due to these structures: The quality and capacity biological erosion control measures measures being incorrectly designed or of the established structure varies among DAs, SMSs, and primarily then even to environmental damage. greatly in each of the woredas and even among WMCs, Voluntary Technical kebeles. Often, watershed management farmers, who then usually go on to Dedicated and responsible committees are established only design and supervise public and community extension formally for the purposes of the community works. agents with low turnover and individual campaigns, while their Soil survey and monitoring improved work conditions members do or do not have the required trainings: A soil survey is a quite of Development Agents skills or role in the communities. Also technical analysis which needs trained Multiple projects included in the the numbers of community members staff and equipment to be able to get CzDA programming, both focusing engaged in Development Armies, correct results. However, it is essential on the NRM topics and agriculture development groups, voluntary/ for the planning of farming practices, development, prided themselves on technical farmers or model farmers as well as the designing of the erosion their support to FTCs by providing tools, can range from couple of individuals to control measures. When it comes to materials and building infrastructure. dozens of people per kebele. Ensuring fertilisers it can help with deciding which Nonetheless, the support also the functionality and supporting the plants and crops are suitable and will addressed the working conditions of the local structure is therefore an essential improve the fertility on a particular piece Development Agents, who are the key component in every new area, where of land. For other practices in the field, frontline extension workers. Besides the CzDA programme implementor will it might be enough to determine which the training, equipment, and materials expand their efforts.
34 Recommended practices Engaging the external technical experts: When it comes to technical training and technical capacity building of government officers, this can be always done by external subjects (and even should be) as this is very commonly done anywhere else in the world. These people or organizations can be contracted in order to teach a specific topic or transfer the needed know-how (like soil analysis). The impact of the technical training and know-how transfer, will nonetheless depend on the people involved, their understanding of the topic and sharing Youth group training sessions with colleagues. Ensuring functional community structures: The above assumes though aim at high numbers and quantities of assist with setting up the monitoring that the extension and community seedlings planted, hectares rehabilitated system and the evaluation of works that structure are in place and are functional. in annual campaigns, the perspective on should be directly related to building up If the performance of community or the landscape and the functionality of the capacity of the government staff. extension structure is low, the impact the extension and community systems Involvement of people on of any technical training or support are what should be targeted long-term. different levels: All of them should will be rather accidental. Therefore, it Follow-up of WAO on the zonal cooperate and have the possibility of is a necessary component of any NRM level: The zone officer might be well commenting on plans and strategies intervention to include a component trained and they can interpret the through the various committees. It focused on capacity building to ensure knowledge of the strateg y to the woreda means that a farmer as a member of the the sustainability. well, but if a woreda level officer has watershed committee should have right Building trust between beneficiaries to comment on planned works during and extension agents: As in all human a watershed campaign if these could efforts, the success of the work stands harm the environment. and falls with the involvement of Involvement of stakeholders in responsible and dedicated people. This is 18,2 the whole process cycle: The whole very visible during the public community millions of farmers strategy/plan of such works should works as there are significant differences should have been be discussed in advance with all the between kebeles and woredas. The consulted according to people along the administration crucial difference, regardless of the structure – zone, woreda, kebele technical challenges, is the dedication GTP II plan in 2020. (DAs, technical farmers, watershed of the extension agents along with their committees, etc.) and the works should community counterparts and their no capacity or sometimes intention only be performed after reaching mutual communication and trust. The to perform the work well (poor field consensus. Lastly, all works should be follow-up, and supervision provided by engagement, low understanding of the evaluated and reported back to zone woreda and zonal authorities through topic, lack of budget, etc.) the final impac t officers who will be responsible for funding, materials, or monitoring, serves of the works in the field (on the kebele evaluating their impact and preparing then as a motivation and yet it can also level) will be minimum or zero. If all the the strategy for the coming year. This hinder the progress of community people in the chain are working properly situation assumes that all concerned efforts. and they are continuously evaluated, the people have sufficient technical Capacity and quality before system can work. External subjects then knowledge based on their technical quantity: While NRM projects often can play a crucial role to facilitate and capacity building and training.
35 Landscape mapping 3.5 and risk analysis
Key challenges addressed The Participatory Watershed Development Planning Guideline is currently the most accepted planning tool for landscape planning and natural resource management. This guideline is designed to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders. However, this method of planning often fails due to gaps in knowledge and practical use of watershed management government guidelines due to its inappropriate application by the main actors (experts and communities). Another key challenge is also the insufficient or poor quality of basic field data and the minimal or complete lack of planning documentation (thematic maps, databases or incomplete sets of basic GIS data). This leads to a bad definition of the watersheds, intervention areas and to a bad selection of priorities. Typically, the community Action Plans prioritize the degraded community lands for public works, rather then private lands Figure 3: Kebele plans are often prepared for each of the kebeles individually. and fields that are at risk. Within all When the individual kebele plans are aligned, they often display a mismatch of the the examined areas it was also found recommendations along the administrative boundaries, erosion, flood risks and that the upper parts of the watershed terrain in general. The recommended soil and water conservation measures also do were not taken into consideration. The not respect the topography of the area and the map scale. surface runoff coming from the upper part of the watershed represents then a significant threat for the middle and the administrative boundaries of nonetheless, such a map is not suitable lower parts, which are the typically the kebele, but do not work with for the orientation and planning of more inhabited areas. the watershed and sub-watershed watershed management. Even though the process is boundaries, which are essential for community oriented, participatory, implementing erosion control measures Provided solutions and the authorities try to form and water harvesting structures. The management of basic natural functional kebele clusters, Landscape For example, the visualisation of resources, on which a large part of the Management Plans and natural the Landscape Management Plan of populations in rural areas depends resource management works are Besheno and surrounding kebeles (see upon, must be based on an individual often prepared according to the figure 3) presents well a thoroughly approach to each site and detailed administrative boundaries. All designed intervention and suggested planning based on reliable data, suggested development maps respect works for each of the target kebeles, expert analysis and synoptic maps.
36 Before developing any Landscape Management Plans and performing any work, we should be sure that all of the responsible actors have sufficient knowledge of landscape processes, watershed concepts, existing risks and soil and water conservation principles. Common planning procedures at woreda/kebele/community level: →→ Establishing a responsible group of experts assigned to support and follow-up watershed development and management planning work and technical issues. →→ Participatory targeting with Presentation and feedback session on provided Landscape Management the community, preparation of Plans, Hawassa, 2019 community mind maps - Local farmers, other land users and a wider community who depend on the land territory is created by compiling field GIS data across a large area. Similarly, have to be involved from the very knowledge (survey and verification a landscape analysis had been done beginning of the planning process, of field data, sampling), collecting in area of Arba Mich Zuria by the since they are the ones that will live information from local authorities and company Geotest along with Mendelu. with its results. farmers (discussions and training FTC, Based on advanced GIS analyses and →→ Gender sensitization followed by TF, MF, DAs, WAO and others), using remote sensing, the data are recorded group meetings and brainstorming. available sources (some prepared in a database, analysed and presented →→ Vulnerability and the identification by Hawassa University, government in the form of thematic maps, which are and ranking of other problems. guidelines) and modern remote an integral part of the LMP. →→Transect walks with WMCs and semi- sensing analytical methods (satellite A s a result, the projec t teams provide structured interviews. imagery, spatial analysis + appropriate all partners active in the community →→ Village and household mapping. classification and interpretation). with following type of data: →→ Soil, vegetation and topographic LMP’s can be flexibly updated with the →→ User manual for the map section of surveys in selected watersheds. most recent data and also according to the Landscape Management Plans →→ Watershed and community area the changing situation in the area due to →→ Narrative Landscape Management delineation. successful implementation. Plans and Action plans →→ Preparation of the Action plans. →→ Map documentation →→ Participatory and results-based Recommended practices monitoring. Ensuring access to documentation All recorded data from the of landscape planning: In cooperation watershed campaign presentation Landscape Management Plans with the partner organization AFS, are then stored in a database, in an (LMP) definition: LMP is an effec tive tool PIN has started extensive digital easily presentable format, but mainly for detailed watershed management mapping and detailed collection of available for evaluation or update. planning. LMP’s consist of a written part with recommendations for erosion MAPS FOR COMMUNITY ANALYTICAL MAPS control management and maps as DISCUSSION AND PLANNING documentation, which primarily defines the water regime in the area and the Soil degradation risk area Blank maps – administrative most vulnerable, endangered areas Surface runoff and water delineation boundaries and therefore the areas that have to Land Use / Land Cover analysis Blank background satellite images be protected. A detailed analysis of the
37 The LMP map documentation consists of several individual maps, which are divided into two separate groups: Analytical maps are designed to work at the zone / woreda level and partly at the kebele level. Whereas maps for community discussion and planning are designed mostly to work at woreda, kebele and community level. Identification of erosion and soil degradation risk areas: The analysis is focused on the identification of the most erosion prone areas. The maps below help to identify where the activities during the next watershed campaign should be concentrated at and where the erosion control measures need to be implemented first in order to minimize any soil Map of Weteta kebele: Soil degradation risk areas degradation of fertile land. Areas labelled as a “High Risk Zone” where erosion control, retention and the area. The area is divided into are to be selected for the activities of accumulation measures should be individual watersheds and points the nearest watershed campaign, while implemented as a priority. The areas out the necessary cooperation the areas labelled as a "Medium risk labelled as a "Low risk zone" can then be between kebeles in activities during zone" could be covered in subsequent rehabilitated in later works or projects. watershed campaigns. It is important seasons. In most cases these reddish Surface runoff and watershed to note that the boundaries between parts represent the upper parts of delineation analyses: These maps watersheds are not the same as the the watershed or steeply sloped areas represent the hydrology regime of boundaries between kebeles. In order to achieve maximum landscape and erosion protection of the areas of interest the boundaries between the watersheds (not the kebeles) have to be respected.
i What is a watershed?
Watershed is any area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet.
Mapping of Land use & Land cover: Working with Landuse and Land cover (LU/LC) gives supplementary information when planning the activities for the watershed campaign. The main strength of the analysis is that it gives the best idea of the natural conditions on site, while also Map of Weteta kebele: Surface runoff and water delineation showing human usage and influence
38 on the whole landscape. Land cover indicates the physical land type such as forest, shrubs, grassland, build-up area or bare land. To see the change over time, land cover maps for several different years are needed. With this information, decisions made in the past can be evaluated. It also helps to see a potential impact of future decisions before they are implemented. Just like the case of the mapping carried out by All for Soil in Halaba Special Woreda, the LU/LC analysis is based on modern remote technology data and is a powerful tool to address the situation in relatively large areas. For the PIN project, the focus of these analyses went towards the distribution of productive agricultural land Map of Weteta kebele: Land-use and land-cover analysis and urban areas, the density and moisture of vegetation. and helps visualize the "mental map' Recommended practices Use of the Blank map: A map of farmers and the community or →→ All proposed soil and water that has a white background contains for many other topics: demography, conservation measures should respect basic landmarks and administrative social and residential stratification, the methods and recommendations borders and is suitable for drawing community use of natural resources, of the current government manuals, and writing additional information. individual fields and land use, soil technical handbooks and guidelines This map can be used for participatory types, watershed units, water of the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture mapping that encourages interaction resources and many more. (MoA) see in chapter 3.1 and 3.2. →→ Recommended soil and water conservation measures within this LMP are carefully selected respecting the agroclimatic zone and soil conditions within the area of interest and respects the local topography, land use and land cover - more details provided in chapter 3.2. →→ Support digital mapping and basic GIS data collection (soil sampling, electronic data collection) →→ Selection of community watersheds should include the border interactions between watersheds/ kebele/communities and soil and water conservation measures must be applied in the upper part of watershed primarily. →→ Capacity building for all stakeholders will be explained in more detail in Map of Weteta kebele: Blank map of administrative boundaries chapter 3.4.
39 INNOVATIVE 4 CONCEPTS
Works in the Ramada nursery, Shebedino Woreda, Sidama, 2011
40 Conservation 4.1 agriculture
Leaving aside the large-scale planning and design of the landscape as a whole, the key to soil fertility and the foundation of good agriculture management remains in the hands of individual farmers and the soil management practices they are using. For many years, the trend was set to improve agriculture production through the promotion of agriculture inputs, such as improved seeds, chemical fertilisers (NPK, urea), herbicides, pesticides, and regular and even multiple tillage. This trend however leads to further deterioration of the soil conditions, and degradation of the farmers field from the physical, chemical, and biological Mulching demonstration for Conservation agriculture perspective. In addition to the organic matter, the soil is losing the living microbiological structure, cohesion, with it a completely new management Long-term trials nutrients and eventually it is washed of agriculture while still meeting the As a shift to conservation or blown away by erosion. requirements for needed intensification, agriculture involved changes to some which is promoted by the Development essential practices, there are many Key principles Agents at FTCs. misconceptions among farmers as well Conservation agriculture, as Nonetheless, the best results were as agriculture extension workers. For a proven concept, changes the paradigm achieved working with model farmers example, it is often perceived that the and promotes three principles: who were willing to invest the time and application of conservation agriculture →→ Minimum disturbance of the soil – demonstrate on their own lands the limits the land area for production or that minimum or zero tillage practices benefits of conservation agriculture. it is not suitable for dry areas. Therefore, →→ Permanent soil cover by organic It is usually suggested to start with it is paramount to combine the technical matter – through perennials, cover a small plot about 10x10 metres in size evidence-based recommendations and crops or mulching for testing and then to proceed with trials with the raising awareness, and →→ Species diversification – using space a farmer-to-farmer extension and the the promotion and application of KAP and time to address the nutrient promotion of the achieved results. (knowledge-attitudes and practices) content of the soil or pest and The entry point for this can surveys or techniques for social disease dynamics usually be found in the promotion of behavioural change (see the chapter intercropping, promoting either the 4.3). Also, just like the effects of most of In line with the trends and use of new combinations - usually the activities, the effects of conservation recommendations of the national and by promoting leguminous crops - or agriculture aren´t visible instantly and international specialists, conservation enhancing the traditional methods. the measurable improvement soil quality agriculture is becoming a part of These techniques can be then on crop yields will only manifest itself national strategies and FTC curricula, combined with use of the crop residues over the long-term, namely in stabilised however to many this is seen as an for mulching and the use of organic production and lower expenditures on essential paradigm shift. It brings fertilisers or biofertilisers. input costs.
41 4.2 Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a system of land use management in which trees or shrubs are grown over crops or pastureland. It is a sustainable concept providing benefits both on the production and income side and is advantageous over conventional agricultural and forest production methods in terms of increased productivity from the available plots of land, while having a largely positive impact on the microclimate of the plots. Over a short period of time, agroforestry contributes to reduction of soil erosion and water runoff, thus increasing the nutrients of the soil and water retention in the fields and landscape. The efficient design of the agroforestry systems and a combination of a variety of crops, shrubs and trees can then actively improve the soil’s nitrogen dynamics, increase the Traditional agroforestry system - enset field in Sidama biological diversity, prevent the spread of pests and diseases, and improve the overall use of available energy in farming fodder grasses and other fodder for Kembat a Tembaro and Arba Minch. The systems. All in all, the whole system animals kept in the farm has proven to techniques were promoted in a variety leads to environmentally stabilised and be very successful. Grasses or shrubs of seminars, trainings, conferences, climate resilient production. There are are then promoted to protect the and suppor t programmes to extension several types of agroforestry system: land from landslides and leftovers like systems serving ordinary farmers. →→ Agri-silvicultural systems, which branches or leaves are plough into the Concept of permaculture as the manage land for the production of soil in order to increase the organic ultimate variation of Agroforestry, has crops and forest products content matter. been presented in the Permaculture →→ Silvopastoral systems, which training centre. The training centre is produce both wood products, fodder i Enset & coffee & chat growing and promoting moringa, a tree for animals and livestock with erosion-control qualities and an Enset & coffee & chat: traditional →→ Agri-silvopastoral systems, a mixture agroforestry plant, all indigenous to agroforestry function, enriching the of the two systems above, which Ethiopia and Sidama, yet achieving soil by binding atmospheric nitrogen, produces tree products, crops, and global outreach. and serving as a source of food (leaves, livestock seeds) and income; or planted crops A variety of agroforestry systems, such as root tubers (cassava, sweet The initial steps for the introduction combining various staple and cash potato, taro, yam) and leaf y vegetables of agroforestry is the production of crops as well as fodder plants, fruits (chaya, cassava or moringa). This necessary plants, shrubs, bushes, and and forest trees have already been centre also promotes the principles of grasses that are suitable for the recent presented on the premises of FTCs climate-smart agriculture and holistic production system. The production of in all woredas in Sidama, Halaba, management on gardens of 1 hectare.
42 Improved campaigning and 4.3 participatory development
In the initial stages, Czech programming, direct work of Development Agents communication officers- are then especially under Czech Ministry of based on kebele level. Community assigned with ex tension, social, cultural, Agriculture and later also CzDA, relied on public works, which are not designed on or also political communication duties. rather traditional Czech ODA approach the cash-for-work modality (e.g. PSNP However, the tools used were usually of transferring of technical know- or other) are organised within seasonal limited to those that were easy, a public how and technologies. The hardware agriculture campaigns: Watershed meeting, printing banners and the provision or technology supplies was campaign, belg campaign, meher distribution of thematic t-shirts. At the seen as key deliverable of the projects, campaign and irrigation campaign. The same time, the Development Agents and the sustainability of outputs key policies and messages presented active in kebeles and assigned to was largely ensured only through for those campaigns are usually drawn individual FTCs do often take the role trainings of respective beneficiaries from government policies in top-down of communicating about things other and Ethiopian staff. Soft components of manner, while it is largely up to zonal than agriculture topics. DAs do receive the individual projects had developed or woreda agents (extension and training in basic extension system gradually in line with the need to ensure communication officers) and also field/ communication during their studies. the sustainability, of the landscape kebele agents (Development Agents of In Sidama, the refreshment trainings solutions that included the engagement Sector Matter Specialists) to tailor and in communication and campaigning, of the whole community and awareness adjust the key messages among farmers which were held using the extensive of the general public in sustainable land and the general public. experience of an organisation like use. People in Need, focused namely Improved campaigning on the appropriate formulation of Community mobilisation and communication messages, the identification of target The capacity of the Ethiopian Special assigned personnel is groups and the proper selection of authorities to mobilise the communit y is usually dedicated to extension system the communication tools along with well developed and works both through communication and campaigning in their timing and sequencing. Multiple traditional structures as well as through most of the woredas or even kebeles. experiences and inputs for campaigning a robust extension system that includes The dedicated staff - extension or were then gathered using techniques
Works in the Ramada nursery, Shebedino Woreda, Sidama, 2011
43 such as KAP surveys, barriers analysis or a positive deviance approach.
Participatory landscape design and monitoring The majority of the staff and expert are aware of some principles or components of the Community Based Participatory Watershed Development Guideline, which led to series of participatory Socioeconomic and Biophysical surveys, often presented as “Annex 9” to the guideline. These serve as the basis for the formulation of long-term Landscape Management Plan, action plans and annual plans. However, experience has shown that once such plans are prepared, these are understood by WAO experts, SMSs, partially by DA, but not necessarily by all members of community. This is phenomena is then exacerbated when there is high turnover among the WAO and FTC staff, leading the documentation and overall ownership to quickly get lost. The ownership does have to stay primarily with the community, specifically the assigned structures like Watershed Management Comities on the kebele level. Their understanding of the identified landscape dynamics and participation in landscape designs are crucial for projects to have an impact. Based on the NRM Conference held in Hawassa in 2018, PIN implemented and tested the Participatory monitoring system, which allows community structures not only participate in planning, but to monitor the results. The experience from the long-term intervention from Halaba and Sidama then show that building the capacity of Community structures so they can fully exploit the advantages of the participatory approaches is a key for Participatory resource analysis (PRA) excercise for self-help group the acceptance of good practices in members, Tesso kebele, Sidama, 2019 the community and to instil a proactive approach to landscape development.
44 Behavioural 4.4 change
Education, training, and awareness i Behavioural determinants: had long been the cornerstone of the extension system’s work, while the lack →→ knowledge and skills →→ perceived risk susceptibility of know-how and poor attitudes towards →→ perceived social norms →→ perceived risk severity the promoted topics were often seen →→ perceived positive & negative →→ perceived action efficacy → as the main barriers for achieving the consequences → perceived divine will and superstitions →→ access to materials and services →→ legal framework & policy desired changes among beneficiaries. →→ cues and reminders for action →→ cultural background Also the Ethiopian government invested in a robust system of FTCs and an annual awareness campaigns enjoying projects and activities in more efficient →→ Farmers are not aware of the risk support from the Czech Development ways, so the relevant barriers and drivers of erosion and need to be further Assistance programme. However, are addressed. This makes projects educated of the impact. Many this has continued to be seen as only more efficient both in terms of time and awareness and education materials something of secondary importance budget. As long as the desired practices explain the risks and threats of the soil after material support and technical and behaviours are well identified and erosion; formative survey showed that assistance. Nonetheless, the changes defined, the behavioural change design farmers with sloping lands, who do taking place after the trainings were still starts with the barrier analysis where not apply erosion-control measures lengthy and the impact of the awareness we define the barriers that prevent feel actually more threatened by campaigns and adult education did people from adopting a particular erosion than those who do apply those have often only a temporary or limited measures. Yet having this knowledge impact. Only some of the promoted and recognising the severity of the risk practices, techniques, and behaviours does not change the practice. were then adopted by high percentage 70% →→ Farmers perceive the access to tools of farmers. of farmers believe as a main barrier and motivators for erosion-control measures. While Analysing barriers to humans are abusing these activities are generally accepted, behaviour adoption evironment and 83% of farmers are more motivated and able For a significant period of time, them believe they have to apply the erosion-control measures sectors like healthcare, nutrition the right to do so. in their fields if they are provided with or WASH have focused heavily on tools, there is no significant difference analyses of barriers to the acceptance between those applying or not of the desired promoted behaviours behaviour or practice. The research is applying erosion control measures (e.g. handwashing, breastfeeding, HIV a kind of formative research composed when it comes to access to tools. prevention), often analysing knowledge, of qualitative and quantitative questions, →→ Farmers believe that funding is attitudes, and practices of beneficiaries. which helps to select and define most needed to apply the erosion-control Over time this has shown the need for appropriate actions. measures. Unlike those applying an even deeper analysis of the variety erosion-control measures, non- of barriers that prevent beneficiaries Understanding perceptions practitioners avoid these techniques from successfully changing behaviours Formative surveys in Sidama and as they are under the impression, that and drivers to help them adopt the Halaba have helped the team to identify it is highly sophisticated and costly; promoted practices. the communication and design gaps, which is probably the negative effect Designing the activities around the which are now included in the project of continuous technical trainings that concept of Social Behavioural Change is design. Please see three examples rely too much on experts and paid an approach that helps to formulate the below: public works campaigns.
45 5 STORIES
Mr Shek Kedir, Model Farmer in the project "Increased Ecological stability of the Dijo and Bilate river watershed", Weira-Dijo Woreda, Alaba, 2018
46 Mr. Betigel, businessperson Mr. Betigel comes from a poor rural family supplementing their nutrition from the traditional knowledge of moringa trees. As an adult, he learned about moringa´s effects on human health and nutrition and decided to start his own business. At the beginning, he bought moringa from local farmers, dried it and sold it on the local market. With support of MENDELU and the Czech company Holistic solutions he built up his company from the scratch. Today he owns a successful moringa factory in Arba Minch that is locally processing moringa products. He has a dryer, oil press machine and pill press machine to produce added value products and sells them on the local and the national market. Currently there is 50 people employed directly plus a lot of seasonal workers. As Mr. Betigel is passionate about the moringa miracle he continues to increase awareness among local population to increase their livelihoods, health, and nutrition as it contains a lot of protein, calcium, or vitamins.
Mr. Shek Kedir Muhammed, farmer Land degradation is one of the severe problems the operational kebeles are facing in the Halaba project. Many peoples are being affected year after year by soil Mr. Betigel, trader and dealer of the moringa products, Arba Minch erosion and its related problems of loss of productivity and vulnerability to displacement. Mr. Shek Kedir Mehammed lives in Halaba Zone, the result of the project intervention, required erosion-control measures Wera Dijo woreda, Weteta kebele. especially land rehabilitation on his lands and returns his lands His household was one of the most through effective erosion-control back to be productive. Apart from affected among the individual farmers. measures, which supports the saving his land from degradation Before People in Need’s project area through the implementing of and displacement, Mr. Shek Kedir started in the area, he had lost more technical erosion-control measures, has also become a role model and than two hectares of land due to farm tools, seedlings, enclosing of exemplar to teach and shared his soil erosion, and as the result; his degraded lands & applying required land management experience for the family life depended on the safety biophysical measures, Mr. Shek Kedir surrounding farmers, his neighbours, net program of the government. As has successfully implemented the and relatives.
47 Mr Kassa Dilgeba, Model Farmer in the project "Increased Ecological stability of the Dijo and Bilate river watershed", Sankura Woreda, Silte, 2018
Mrs. Negest, cooperative member money they earn is being reinvested to Mr. Zekariyas Asaro, Mrs. Negest and other 40 women buy fresh moringa leaves, packaging government official established a cooperative in 2012 with etc. It also provides the women with Mr. Zekariyas Asaro is a Development help of a government program and a safety net and security as some Agent in Hawassa Zurya Woreda the JICA organization. This program of the money is used to help the Agricultural Office. Currently, he is gave women a chance to start working members of the community in times assigned as a DA and working in Kajimma and to increase the income of their of need (in cases of personal, natural, Umbullo Kebele. Kajimma Umbullo household. With support of MENDELU or other disasters). They also support is one of the Kebeles where Mendel University’s project work has been Mr Kassa Dilgeba: I am free to share what I have and what I've implemented and Mr. Zekariyas was learned from the project. Last year, I provided grass seedlings freely one of the focal point of the project and for over 30 farmers and gave advice for successful grass development has been able to observe the different benefits of the results. “MENDELU has done successful afforestation using and the Czech company Holistic other member of the community suitable species for the degraded land Solutions, the cooperative now has through their motivation and sharing in the project area. stable partner through which and their experience. The project provided practical can sell its products, mostly moringa Mrs. Negest says that the life is training to the local community in powder from dried and powdered now better. Moringa production has seedling raising and afforestation and leaves. increased, they have a better drying improved living conditions of local They produced moringa powder system. She can travel to exhibitions community like reducing erosion or and distribute it to bigger cities like in Hawassa or other places, she meets floods, increased biodiversity, more Arba Minch or Addis Ababa. The money many people from other countries, water culminated in the area, less coming from the business is going and they can exchange ideas and pollution, and increased agricultural into a joint bank account. Most of the knowledge. productivity. People were taught how to
48 produce honey and young people, who were jobless before, are now getting income from selling grass from the restored area.”
Mr. Kassa Dilgeba, farmer Mr. Kassa is one of the model farmers in the Silte zone, Sankura woreda, Menezo Feten, in which one that has increased ecological stability due to it being a target kebele of the Dijo Bilate watershed project. Among the major root cause of land degradation in the targeted kebeles, free grazing has been the key challenge since the beginning. Due to the project implemented by People in Need and All for Soil, he started to introduce fodder grass at the FTCs, which has further extended to include other individual farmers. In this case, Mr. Kassa is one of the pioneer farmer that found it easy to adopt fodder grass production in his garden. The project supports him through technical advice, training, providing a small number of seedlings & intensive follow up. Since starting in 2017, in addition to the use of the grass production for his cattle, he uses it as a major source of income for the household through the selling of grass seedlings to neighbouring farmers and other organizations who are looking for grass seedlings. Now, he has more than 0.5 hectares o f l a n d c o v e r e d b y D e s h o g r a s s a n d e a r n s on average 50,000 ETB per year. Doing by this, this farmer is playing an important role in improving the adoption of grass production throughout the project- targeted kebeles, while at the same time contributing to the adoption of a cut and carry system and a reduction of free grazing. Kassa says that now his life has changed and he is enjoying life more. He has supported at least 10 to 15 farmers Mrs Negest (on the right), a member of the cooperative producing moringa yearly by providing sufficient grass seedlings to them for free. powder, Arba Minch, 2020
49 WAYS FORWARD AND 6 RECOMMENDATIONS
Threshing of the harvest, Halaba, 2011
50 Technical 6.1 innovations
The promotion of environmentally and economically sustainable tree nurseries Nurseries present a very important part of the countr y´s efforts to afforest the country again. However, there are a few things that should be pointed out. Most of the government nurseries would not be able to reach the sufficient production of seedlings without the significant financial or material support that is usually provided by INGOs or Maize farmer from Lebu Koromo, 2010 other institutions which makes the production unsustainable when such sources are not available. Large-scale genetic, to those that are essential to shows the eminent importance of the production of tree seedlings also field production, which comes down to topics related to topics of land-access, creates another problem when these soil analysis and testing. land-rights, and land ownership. seedlings are produced and kept in As long as an informed decision Countries like the Czech Republic have polybags which are then transported should be made in relation to e.g. a solid cadastre system, which includes during the planting season to sites and conservation agriculture, erosion combined data on the ownership along usually kept in place, which leads to an control or improved agriculture with pre-defined land use types and ecological problem and thus should practices, all farmers and experts need the legal definition related to this and be done in a different way. Recyclable to have information on phenomena like access regulations. materials should be used and during soil structure, nutrient content, organic T he s e s y s tems are b eing intensi vel y planting these materials should be content, and pH levels. While many developed also in Ethiopia, supported collected and either reused or recycled. orientational estimations can be done by World Bank programming and One typical example is the extensive using approximative methods with funding. During last decade, numerous use of polyethylene bags, which are farmers, and through the use of field kits, efforts were made especially in very demanding both economically there is a large oppor tunit y for improving terms of building the databases that and environmentally. their capacities in soil analytical services. assign land ownership / land access Especially given the role that agriculture rights and the development of such The development of plays especially in the economy of a cadastre system is still in progress. analytical capacities the SNNPR region. For now, these Nonetheless, the land use application, Analytical capacities are indeed laboratory capacities and services are inclusion of the Landscape a key to diagnostics, monitoring, limited to only a few academic offices Management Plan and the alignment planning and design in most of the and governmental bureaus with limited with the community decision sectors. The analytical capacities in amounts of equipment and outreach making process will continue to be agriculture usually come second to capacity among the farmers. a development challenge for years to those in areas such as healthcare or come. The structure, track record and WASH programs, nonetheless, the The development of a land expertise of the Czech development variety of analysis needed for this sector tenure cadastre systems assistance shows the high potential are extensive. The analytical equipment The participatory and community for program components that focus varies from microbiological, veterinary, approach to landscape management on capacity building in this area.
51 6.2 Programming
Climate adaptation and landscape management and community next year at the earliest. Here we are still resilience mainstreaming extension, it is highly advisable to align only talking about the immediate impact, Ethiopia, like many less developed the objectives of the projects designed. relatively speaking, not about the long- countries, is facing the impacts from So far, there had been projects realized term impact, which is essential for climate change more imminently than by PIN and CGS, which were realized in successful NRM projects. These projects the developed world. The majority of their similar geographic areas. These would should also involve areas which are not population is not able to adapt the rapidly be ideal for data sharing as the mapping selected administratively but rather changing conditions because of the of CGS would be very useful for recent geographically, which would make the level of underdeveloped or unavailable and future projects being realized in areas covered by these programmes technologies and the vulnerable nature the sectors of agriculture and water. much larger than they currently are. of their livelihood systems. Despite that Both of these interventions have been Lastly, projects should be then governments are well aware of the need found to be very useful and the impact implemented in phases. Rather than for climate resilience programming and of those joint efforts has significantly thinking in terms of projects, we should have incorporated this topic into their increased the impact of the intervention, talk about programmes which would strategic documents based on which the visibility of the CzDA programming include not only NRM, but also involve particular steps and projects are to be and the likelihood of the formation of water and agricultural components. realized. international consortia, not only on the There is more to this than climate level of NGOs, but also of donors. An integrated approach to mitigation. Climate adaptation landscape management projects programming and climate resilience Landscape management projects are are significantly more relevant in very complex projects and should in no the context of the humanitarian- way only be seen as hardware-oriented development nexus and the prevention 40 projects prioritising technology transfer of the environmental migration. The years of cooperation and material support, neither should promotion of climate-smart agriculture between Czech and they be approached solely as emergency is an integrated approach for developing Ethiopian Survey had cash-for-work tasks. Currently, a well strategies to secure sustainable food formulated NRM project is not only security in response to climate change been marked in 2019. about treating land that has already in specific locations. While the overall been degraded. Frequently, fertile land production rate is not the ultimate goal, should also be receiving protection it still sustainably increases productivity, Planning long-term, well through NRM measures and these enhances resilience and adaptation, sequences interventions increasingly include changing principles reduces, or removes greenhouse gases, in selected areas by also taking into consideration the and enhances the attainment of national In comparison with other sectors, perspective of agriculture, the social food security and multiple SDGs. most of the NRM projects require some habits of people, water management or degree of time flexibilit y and a long-term land access rights. NRM projects thus are Aligning the geological timeframe for their implementation. confronted by a complex web of issues surveys, landscape planning All of this is due to the sensitivity of where many offices, people, farmers, and community works NRM in terms of climate and weather, and specialists should be involved. These As mentioned in the introduction, both of which have become highly projects usually last for couple of years hydrogeological surveys have a 40-year- unpredictable. Also, the majority of so that they are able to demonstrate old history of bilateral cooperation the NRM activities are only possible to a significant impact and the qualit y of the between the Czech Republic and implement during a specific time of the impact of the proposed measures can be Ethiopia. After the last decade’s worth year and the impacts of such activities observed during different seasons and of experience with a robust program in are also possible to observe during the agricultural cycles.
52 Suggested modes 6.3 of cooperation
Data sharing and database maintenance During the existence of CzDA programming there have been plenty of projects realized. Over the course of time, these projects have gathered a huge amount of data which are used usually only for the purpose of project evaluation and in the exchange between donor and implementer. After the project phase-out, these pieces of data are handed over to partners in Ethiopia and virtually lost or often unreachable for other implementing partners or future CzDA project cycles. Datasets or readymade databases of collected information are neither Moringa processing and promotion kept in one place by donors nor by implementers or their partners. If we can manage to keep databases in from different implementers if they Promotion of consortia and one place which would be accessible use different indicators. The common participatory design by all the stakeholders (donors, practice so far has been to divide the As has been shown in many prior implementers, partner organizations, indicators into basic groups –general, examples, the cooperation of many partner/recipient countries) this would specific outcome, output and activity subjects would be advisable. By many save a tremendous amount of time, indicators. subjects we mean INGOs, government money, and human resources when The introduction of Indikit, a tool officers or offices, universities, specialist the initial studies are conducted, since developed by People in Need in 2018, (like pedologists, hydrogeologists, these subjects could easily secure the was done with a similar intention. This agriculturalists, climatologists, etc.). The necessary data from the databases tool was offered to CzDA so that it could cooperation should start during the without the need for additional baseline be widely used among implementors formulation phase. The idea should studies. and is available also on the webpage always come from the responsible indikit.net. Indikit aims to make the governmental office or from affected Unified monitoring and the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of people themselves. However, to be able use of program indicators relief and development interventions to propose a well-thought out project, As written above, the effor ts of CzDA easier and better. It was developed the idea should at least be commented to connect projects into programmes thanks to a financial contribution on by other actors as they will be able to based on a topic or a geographic from CzDA and was offered to CzDA bring a new view on the problems and location should be done hand in hand so that it could be shared with other can propose different methods which with the unification of indicators. Even implementers and could be used could be used. This mutual cooperation if the indicators are developed by the during project formulation. Doing this should ideally continue during the implementers, when it comes to the would enable the evaluation of the project cycle and even after the project evaluation of a program, it is difficult for projects implemented by different has been phased out the impact and the donor to evaluate all of the projects implementers much easier. results should still be monitored.
53 ANNEXES: Review of the 7 projects implemented
TIME FRAME NAME OF THE PROJECT TARGETED WOREDA TYPE IMPLEMENTED AREA BY
2008-2010 Antierosion measures in the vicinity of lake Sidama Hawassa Zuria NRM People in Need Hawassa
2010-2012 Sustainable management of soil, forest and Sidama Hawassa Zuria NRM Mendel water resources as a pilot project of community University development of South Ethiopia in Brno
2011-2013 Support of household food security through Kembata Angacha NRM Caritas integrated watershed management Tembaro Czech Republic
2011-2013 Support to agriculture livelihoods and Sidama Hawassa Zuria, NRM People in Need sustainable management of natural resources Boricha
2011-2013 Support of farmers and agriculture education in Kembata Damboya, Agri People in Need Damboya and Halaba Special Woredas Tembaro & Halaba Halaba
2011-2013 Enhancement of quality and extent of extension Kembata Angacha Agri Czech University services in woreda Angacha, Kembata Tembaro Tembaro of Life Science zone
2013-2016 Support of agriculture consultancy in Ethiopia, Sidama Aleta Chuko, Agri People in Need Aleta Chuko, Dilla Dilla
2014-2015 Support to agriculture livelihoods and Sidama Shebedino NRM People in Need sustainable management of natural resources in Sidama II
2014-2015 Enhancement of quality and extent of extension Kembata Angacha Agri Czech University services in woreda Angacha, Kembata Tembaro Tembaro of Life Science zone II
2014-2016 Support of farmers and agriculture education in Halaba Halaba Agri People in Need Halaba Special Woreda SNNPR, Ethiopia
2014-2016 Long-term access to water in Halaba Special Halaba Halaba NRM/ People in Need Woreda WASH
2014-2017 Effective irrigation for sustainable agriculture Kembata Angacha NRM Mendel University production in the Kembata Tembare Zone Tembaro Kacha Bira in Brno
2014-2016 Degraded lands sanitation and reclamation as Sidama Hawassa Zuria NRM Mendel a base of sustainable management of natural University resources in Hawassa Zuriya Woreda in Brno
54 TIME FRAME NAME OF THE PROJECT TARGETED WOREDA TYPE IMPLEMENTED AREA BY
2015-2018 Study of natural hazards harmful to agriculture Sidama Dilla, Mejo NRM Czech Geological production in selected areas of SNNPR Survey
2016 - 2018 Increased ecological stability of Dijo and Bilate Halaba & Halaba, Sankura NRM People in Need Watersheds Sankura
2016 - 2017 Implementation of holistic management and Arba Minch Arba Mich Zuria NRM Mendel 2018 - 2019 Climate Smart Agriculture in the Baso River University catchment, Arba Minch Zuria Woreda in Brno
2017 - 2020 Participatory development of productive Sidama Loka Abaya, NRM People in Need landscapes Aleta Chuko
2017 - 2020 Support of agriculture consultancy development Sidama, Aleta Chuko Agri People in Need in Ethiopia Halaba
2019 - 2020 Extended Implementation of holistic Arba Minch Arba Minch Agri Mendel management and Climate Smart Agriculture in Zuria University Arba Minch Zuria Woreda in Brno
2019 - 2021 Support to community management of natural Halaba, Sankura, NRM People in Need resources for development of sustainable Sankura Halaba livelihoods in Sankura and Halaba
2019 - 2021 Support to farmers in ensuring the access to Kembata Angacha Agri Geotest food and increased community resilience in Tembaro Kacha Bira selected kebeles of Kembata Tembaro Zone
2019 - 2022 Introduction of the principles of sustainable Hawassa Hawassa, Agri Mendel management of the landscape in the vicinity of Hawassa Zuria University Hawassa lake in Brno
55 PEOPLE IN NEED CZECH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY www.peopleinneed.cz www.czechaid.cz/en
People in Need is a Czech, non-governmental organisation The Czech Development Agency is a state organisation (NGO) that has been providing aid in troubled regions and under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supporting respect for human rights since 1992. People of the Czech Republic and an implementing body of the in Need has since grown to become one of the largest development cooperation of the Czech Republic. The main NGOs in Central Europe. Today, its work focuses on relief aims of the Czech Development Agency include reducing and development aid, advocacy for human rights and poverty, improving quality of life and supporting sustainable democratic freedom, field social work, and education, development. The Czech Development Agency connects awareness and information. three groups of actors: state sector and local authorities, non-profit sector with universities and private sector.