Adimassu, Zenebe

Mekonnen, Kindu

Tamene, Lulseged

Woldearegay, Kifle

Yaekob, Tesfaye

Tamene, Lulseged D.

CGSpace

Action Research in Action in the Ethiopian highlandsIntroductionLand degradation is a serious problem globally, particularly in developing countries where governments and people have limitedoptions to tackle or withstand its effects. Sustainable land management (SLM), soil and water conservation (SWC) and waterharvesting (WH) measures are urgently needed to tackle its impacts. Since technologies or scientific research alone cannot addressthe complex issue of land degradation, there is a need to integrate research and development. The USAID-Africa RISING program—coordinated by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in partnership with CGIAR centres and national partners inEthiopia—engages in action research to tackle land degradation and improve productivity through restoration, sustainableintensification and diversification. This study seeks to demonstrate the process and modality adopted to guide co-planning, co-implementation and co-monitoring of SLM, SWC and WH options in an integrated and sustainable manner. Figure 1. Africa RISING project sites in the four regions of the Ethiopian highlands Lulseged Tamene, Kindu Mekonnen, Kifle Woldearegay, Tesfaye Yaekob and Zenebe AdimassuApproaches and outputsCo-problem identification and co-design of possible approaches are key to forming strong and sustainable partnerships, as are understanding strengths and identifying clearareas of collaboration and shared contribution.1. Co-define the priority issues to be addressedTo prioritize, plan and design suitable management options, identifying the major problems and drivers in the respective study sites is essential. For instance, field visits andparticipatory approaches identified gully erosion/land slide, water shortage and livestock feed as serious problems facing the Gudo-Beret and Jawe communities (Fig. 1).Participatory problem identification can help identify context-specific “solutions” to the respective problems.Consultations of the local communities as well as regional and local government representatives can facilitate identifying gaps and niches. Trainings, exchange visits anddemonstrations were conducted involving various stakeholders (framers, administrators, and extension workers) to create awareness and build local capacity.2. Co-identify the observed gaps and opportunities to take appropriate measuresCo-learning sessions (both theoretical and practical) at the respective sites offered participantsan opportunity to share experiences and agree on implementation modalities.Exchange visits to areas with ‘success-stories’ inspired and enhanced theconfidence of participants to implement complementary technologies.3. Prioritize areas of intervention and co-implement appropriate optionsThe priority intervention areas were identified based on participatory mapping and modelling exercises.Transect-based field visit was also conducted to visually inspect the mapping exercises and assess thepotentials and constraints within sites.Resources (e.g., gabions) from the Bureau of Agriculture andcommunity labor were used to implement different technologies.DebreBirhanGudo BeretGoseh BadoA = 22 haQ = 4798 m3 ha-1SY = 4.6 t ha-1A = 34 haQ = 3981 m3 ha-1SY = 0.92 t ha-1Less water retentionMore erosionMore water retentionLess erosion4. Situation analysis, experiments, and modelling for monitoring and impact assessmentSoil survey and infiltration measurement (left) as part of situation analysis, discharge- and soil-loss monitoring at treated and non-treated landscapes (middle) and modellingsediment yield and ex-ante analysis and impact assessment of interventions are key components.ConclusionThrough proper dialogue and partnership with communities, government and non-government organizations, research centres cancontribute hugely to the effective implementation of integrated site- and context-specific land and water management interventions totackle land degradation, improve land productivity and enhance ecosystem services.SinanaIlu-SanbituSalkaMichewEmbaHaztiTsibetHosanaJaweUpper GanaAcknowledgementThis research was undertaken with support from AfricaRISING, a program financed by the United StatesAgency for International Development (USAID) as partof the United States Government’s Feed the FutureInitiative.

Action research in action in the Ethiopian highlands

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10568/75750/1/Action%20Research%20in%20Action%20in%20the%20Ethiopian%20highlands.pdf

Action research in action in the Ethiopian highlands

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