Action Research in Action in the Ethiopian...
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Action Research in Action in the Ethiopian highlands Introduction Land degradation is a serious problem globally, particularly in developing countries where governments and people have limited options to tackle or withstand its effects. Sustainable land management (SLM), soil and water conservation (SWC) and water harvesting (WH) measures are urgently needed to tackle its impacts. Since technologies or scientific research alone cannot address the 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 in Ethiopia—engages in action research to tackle land degradation and improve productivity through restoration, sustainable intensification 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 Adimassu Approaches and outputs Co-problem identification and co-design of possible approaches are key to forming strong and sustainable partnerships, as are understanding strengths and identifying clear areas of collaboration and shared contribution. 1. Co-define the priority issues to be addressed To prioritize, plan and design suitable management options, identifying the major problems and drivers in the respective study sites is essential. For instance, field visits and participatory 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 and demonstrations 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 measures Co-learning sessions (both theoretical and practical) at the respective sites offered participants an opportunity to share experiences and agree on implementation modalities. Exchange visits to areas with ‘success-stories’ inspired and enhanced the confidence of participants to implement complementary technologies. 3. Prioritize areas of intervention and co-implement appropriate options The 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 the potentials and constraints within sites. Resources (e.g., gabions) from the Bureau of Agriculture and community labor were used to implement different technologies. Debre Birhan Gudo Beret Goseh Bado A = 22 ha Q = 4798 m 3 ha -1 SY = 4.6 t ha -1 A = 34 ha Q = 3981 m 3 ha -1 SY = 0.92 t ha -1 Less water retention More erosion More water retention Less erosion 4. Situation analysis, experiments, and modelling for monitoring and impact assessment Soil survey and infiltration measurement (left) as part of situation analysis, discharge- and soil-loss monitoring at treated and non-treated landscapes (middle) and modelling sediment yield and ex-ante analysis and impact assessment of interventions are key components. Conclusion Through proper dialogue and partnership with communities, government and non-government organizations, research centres can contribute hugely to the effective implementation of integrated site- and context-specific land and water management interventions to tackle land degradation, improve land productivity and enhance ecosystem services. Sinana Ilu- Sanbitu Salka Michew Emba Hazti Tsibet Hosana Jawe Upper Gana Acknowledgement This research was undertaken with support from Africa RISING, a program financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the United States Government’s Feed the Future Initiative.
Transcript of Action Research in Action in the Ethiopian...
Action Research in Action in the Ethiopian highlands
Introduction
Land 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 Adimassu
Approaches and outputs
Co-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 addressed
To 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 measures
Co-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 options
The 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.
DebreBirhan
Gudo Beret
Goseh Bado
A = 22 ha
Q = 4798 m3 ha-1
SY = 4.6 t ha-1
A = 34 ha
Q = 3981 m3 ha-1
SY = 0.92 t ha-1
Less water retention
More erosion
More water retention
Less erosion
4. Situation analysis, experiments, and modelling for monitoring and impact assessment
Soil 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.
Conclusion
Through 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-Sanbitu
Salka
MichewEmbaHazti
Tsibet
Hosana
Jawe
Upper Gana
Acknowledgement
This research was undertaken with support from Africa
RISING, a program financed by the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) as part
of the United States Government’s Feed the Future
Initiative.
