Your search found 18 records
1 Scholten, W. 2007. Agricultural development and water use in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: a rapid appraisal. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen University and Research Centre. 52p.
Agricultural development ; Water use ; Irrigated farming ; Vegetables ; Fruits ; Rainfed farming / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044897)
http://www.crv.wur.nl/NR/rdonlyres/559750BE-9421-4807-8D0C-9B6F068A1A7C/84323/ReportWolterScholten.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044897.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044897.pdf
(1.74 MB) (1.74 MB)
2 Adimassu, Zenebe; Kessler, A. 2015. Impact of the productive safety net program on farmers 'investments in sustainable land management in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Environmental Development, 16:54-62. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2015.06.015]
Land management ; Sustainability ; Farmers ; Investment ; Food security ; Productivity ; Households ; Soil fertility ; Erosion ; Inorganic fertilizers ; Composts ; Capacity building ; Labor ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047113)
(0.79 MB)
This study assesses the impact of the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) on farmers' investments in sustainable land management (SLM) practices in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia. Primary data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire for a sample of 159 households (82 PSNP participants and 77 non-participants) in four kebeles (the lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia) of two weredas (districts). Using a cross-sectional household survey, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to assess the impact of PSNP on households' investments in soil erosion control and soil fertility management. The PSM results show that the control group of households (non-participants in PSNP) invested more in soil erosion control measures as compared to the treated group of households (participants in PSNP). On the contrary, however, the treated group of households significantly invested more in soil fertility management practices (e.g. inorganic fertilizer and compost) as compared to the control group of households. The negative impact of PSNP on households’ investments in soil erosion control in the treated group of farmers is related to their high labor investment in public works, which is not the case for the non-participants in PSNP. This implies that PSNP should pay more attention to capacity building and awareness raising, which requires a restructuring of the program that would benefit long-term and more sustainable impact on reducing food insecurity and enhancing natural resources in the CRV of Ethiopia.
3 Feleke, E.; Assefa, E.; Zeleke, T. 2020. Effects of small scale irrigation on household income and its implication for livelihood sustainability in the drought prone Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 22(1):104-131.
Irrigation systems ; Small scale systems ; Livelihoods ; Sustainable development ; Drought ; Rainfed farming ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Markets ; Socioeconomic environment ; Household income ; Rural areas ; Policies ; Models / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049913)
http://www.jsd-africa.com/Jsda/2020%20V22%20No1%20Spring/PDF/Effects%20of%20small%20scale%20irrigation%20on%20household%20income_Tesfaye%20%20Zeleke.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049913.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049913.pdf
(0.61 MB) (628 KB)
Smallholder rainfed agriculture is the mainstay for the majority of the population in Ethiopia. However, its performance is very poor, particularly in drought-prone areas. Hence, small scale irrigation has been introduced to averse the negative effects of climate variability. This research aims to examine the impacts of small scale irrigation on income and its implication on rural livelihood sustainability. Data were collected using a household survey questionnaire and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics and the Heckman two-step model were used to analyze the data. Participation in irrigation significantly and positively affects the amount of household income. However, the contribution of irrigation on household income has a limited role to support the sustainability of livelihood in the time of chronic drought in which irrigators were in food aid like non-irrigators. Creating market access, credit provision, better extension service, introducing gender-friendly irrigation, and expanding irrigation command area needs policy priority to sustain the economic benefit of irrigation.
4 Teklu, B. M.; Haileslassie, Amare; Mekuria, Wolde. 2022. Pesticides as water pollutants and level of risks to environment and people: an example from Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 24(4):5275-5294. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01658-9]
Water pollution ; Aquatic ecosystems ; Pesticide toxicity ; Environmental impact ; Local communities ; Awareness ; Surface water ; Agrochemicals ; Aquatic animals / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050604)
(1.75 MB)
Sustainable agriculture focuses using agricultural resources with minimum possible negative environmental externality to produce more food. The present study reports the environmental and health risks associated with the use, management and handling of agrochemical in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Six Woredas (or districts) covering both upstream and downstream areas and major ecosystems were selected. Data were collected using focus group discussion, key informant interviews, field observation and literature review. Pesticide Risks in the Tropics for Man, Environment and Trade tool was used to analyse data. Results indicated that local community’s awareness on use, handling and management of pesticides was low. Applications of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides polluted surface water systems and affected aquatic animals and plants with different level of risk (i.e. from no or insignificant risk to acute and chronic levels). The level of risks of using agrochemical on aquatic animals, human and the environment increased when the agricultural practices changed from good to non-good practices (i.e. increasing frequency of application). The types of agrochemicals determined the levels of risks on aquatic animals, human and the environment. For example, copper hydroxide and Lambda pose high risk, whereas Chlorpyrifos poses possible risk on fish under good agricultural practices. Also, the results indicated that the level of risks of using agrochemicals on fish and aquatic vertebrates was high for few pesticides (e.g. Chlorpyrifos) under both good and bad agricultural practices. The results of the present study support decision makers, practitioners and farmers to put corrective measures when importing agrochemicals, provide targeted risk management schemes including training on safety measures and screen agrochemicals on the market, respectively.
5 Mekuria, Wolde; Diyasa, M.; Tengberg, A.; Haileslassie, Amare. 2021. Effects of long-term land use and land cover changes on ecosystem service values: an example from the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Land, 10(12):1373. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/land10121373]
Land use ; Land cover change ; Ecosystem services ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Water resources ; Landsat ; Satellite imagery ; Farmland ; Forest land ; Grasslands / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050902)
(11.20 MB) (11.2 MB)
Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) are the leading contributors to the decline and loss of ecosystem services in the world. The present study covered the Central Rift Valley lakes basin in Ethiopia, focusing on the valley floor and the East and West escarpments, to analyze changes in LULC and to estimate associated losses in ecosystem service values (ESVs). Covering both upstream and downstream areas in the basin, the study addressed major gaps in existing studies by connecting the sources and sinks of material (e.g., sediment and water) in source-to-lake systems. Additionally, the study facilitated the identification of critical areas for conserving natural resources and reversing the decline of associated ESVs in the Central Rift Valley. A post-classification comparison approach was used to detect LULC changes between 1973 and 2020 using four Landsat images from 1973, 1990, 2005 and 2020. The value transfer valuation method was used to estimate the changes in ESVs due to LULC changes. Among the seven major identified LULC classes, farmlands, settlements, and bare lands showed positive changes, while forestlands, grasslands, shrublands and waterbodies showed negative changes over the last 47 years. The expansion of farmlands, for example, has occurred at the expense of grasslands, forestlands and shrublands. The changes in LULC over a period of 47 years resulted in a total loss of US $62,110.4 × 106 in ESVs. The contributors to the overall loss of ESVs in decreasing order are provisioning services (US $33,795.1 × 106 ), cultural services (US $28,981.5 × 106 ) and regulating services (US $652.9 × 106 ). The results imply that addressing the degradation of land and water resources is crucial to reversing the loss of ecosystem services and achieving the national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food and water security (SDGs 2 and 6) and life on land (SDG 15).
6 Hagos, Fitsum; Ahmed, J. T.; Haileslassie, Amare; Seid, Abdulkarim. 2022. Operationalizing irrigation water charges in Sub-Saharan Africa: a case study from the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Water Policy, 24(6):1014-1033. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2022.034]
Irrigation water ; Water charges ; Water policies ; Multi-stakeholder processes ; Water pricing ; Water management ; Cost recovery ; Legal frameworks ; Political aspects ; Water permits ; Institutional development ; Capacity development ; Partnerships ; Water user associations ; Pilot projects ; Case studies / Africa South of Sahara / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051154)
https://iwaponline.com/wp/article-pdf/24/6/1014/1067676/024061014.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051154.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051154.pdf
(0.64 MB) (655 KB)
Fixing and implementing water charges in the irrigation sector is considered an important task for recovering operation and maintenance costs and promoting the efficient use of water. This study aims at developing an implementation strategy for water charges in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. The study sets the agenda for this strategy by explaining why promoting the concept of fixing irrigation charges is necessary. Then it develops a conceptual framework, draws key lessons from global experiences, explores whether the new pricing policy is well aligned with national water policies and the roles and responsibilities of various actors and stakeholders involved, and identifies the factors for the successful implementation of this strategy. The study is mainly qualitative in nature, based on a review of the literature and consultations of key stakeholders. The study results call for clearly defining the key objectives of the policy, political commitment, and community participation, re-examining the role of institutions, capacity building, and establishing a multistakeholder platform. Basin-level implementation of this policy requires piloting and maintaining policy dynamics through adaptive management. The results provide generic lessons for other basins within Ethiopia and for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
7 Entele, B. R. 2022. Does the urban poor want water service improvement? Residents’ preferences for future water service supply in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. H2Open Journal, 5(4):603-620. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/h2oj.2022.031]
Water supply ; Urban poor ; Drinking water ; Willingness to pay ; Water quality ; Fluorides ; Developing countries ; Household ; Economic aspects ; Models / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051472)
https://iwaponline.com/h2open/article-pdf/5/4/603/1130245/h2oj0050603.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051472.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051472.pdf
(0.56 MB) (572 KB)
Access to clean and adequate drinking water supply has a significant contribution to public health and the economies of developing nations. However, leaders in developing countries continue to experience challenges in their attempt to provide citizens access to safe drinking water. This study examines residents’ preferences for improved water service supply attributes in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Using a conjoint experiment survey from 450 residents, the study estimates part-worth valuation for each attribute and shows that preference for future water service is heterogeneous. Finally, the researchers confirmed that the resident is willing to pay up to 75% surcharges on their current bill for improved drinking water supply.
8 Taye, Meron Teferi; Ebrahim, Girma Yimer; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Hagos, Fitsum; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; Schmitter, Petra. 2022. Integrated water availability modelling to assess sustainable agricultural intensification options in the Meki Catchment, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 67(15):2271-2293. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2022.2138403]
Water availability ; Modelling ; Sustainable intensification ; Sustainable agriculture ; Catchment areas ; Surface water ; Groundwater ; Water budget ; Water balance ; Climate change ; Rain ; Temperature ; Forecasting ; Land use ; Shallow water ; Wells ; Crop water use ; Water requirements ; Water yield ; Small-scale irrigation ; Communities / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley / Meki Catchment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051557)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02626667.2022.2138403?needAccess=true
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051557.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051557.pdf
(16.50 MB) (16.5 MB)
The Meki catchment in the Central Rift Valley basin of Ethiopia is currently experiencing irrigation expansion and water scarcity challenges. The objective of this study is to understand the basin’s current and future water availability for agricultural intensification. This was done by simulating scenarios through an integrated SWAT-MODFLOW model to assess the water balance. The scenarios were co-developed with communities who expressed their aspirations for agricultural intensification in conjunction with projected climate change. The results show that with the present land use and climate, the catchment is already water stressed and communities cannot meet their irrigation water demand, particularly in the first irrigation season (October–January). However, in the second irrigation season (February–May) water resource availability is better and increasing irrigated area by 50% from the present extent is possible. With a climate change scenario that favours more rainfall and shallow groundwater use, agricultural intensification is feasible to some extent.
9 Girma, G.; Melka, Y.; Haileslassie, Amare; Mekuria, Wolde. 2023. Participatory forest management for improving livelihood assets and mitigating forest degradation: lesson drawn from the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Current Research in Environmental Sustainability, 5:100205. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100205]
Sustainable forest management ; Participatory approaches ; Sustainable livelihoods ; Forest degradation ; Environmental degradation ; Climate change adaptation ; Institutions ; Households ; Local communities / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley / Heban Arsi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051657)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666049022000834/pdfft?md5=64d4b84e7067f0e85050e1e4a186993b&pid=1-s2.0-S2666049022000834-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051657.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051657.pdf
(3.23 MB) (3.23 MB)
The study was conducted in Heban Arsi district, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia to investigate the contribution of participatory forest management (PFM) to improving household’s livelihood assets and mitigating forest degradation. Data were gathered using household surveys, observation, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. During the entire study, 231 households (131 from PFM; 100 form non-PFM households), 35 key informants (25 from PFM; 10 from non-PFM) and 10 focus groups (6 from PFM; 4 from non-PFM) were involved. The livelihood assets framework was used to organize and analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data was analyzed using topic coding and building categories, themes, and patterns of relationships. The introduction of PFM significantly (P < 0.05) improved the overall natural (index value of 0.72 and 0.58 for PFM and non-PFM, respectively), financial (0.73 and 0.61), physical (0.49 and 0.37), human (0.62 and 0.57) and social (0.77 and 0.59) livelihood asset values of local communities and contributed to the mitigation of forest degradation. On average, households involved in PFM displayed a 61.6%, 45.7%, 30.8% and 24.2% improvements in natural, financial, physical, and social assets, respectively. Households engaged in PFM showed a 37.4% improvement on the overall livelihood assets value, suggesting that PFM households displayed better livelihood assets compared to non-PFM households. However, the overall contribution of PFM to the livelihood assets showed skewed structure, suggesting that the improvements deviate from sustainability. The existing institutional structure including bylaws contributed a lot to strengthen PFM. Yet, it is crucial to strengthening the protection of forestlands through improving rule enforcement and commitments of both formal and informal institutions in managing forest resources. Also, sustaining the extraction of wood and non-wood forest products and the benefits from as well as integration of other interventions in PFM areas such as the provision of improved cook stoves and solar PV could help reduce forest degradation, improve the sense of ownership among local communities and sustain PFM activities. Further, expanding capacity building trainings and improving access to market could play a great role to sustainably manage forest resources through increasing the participation of local communities in decision making processes.
10 Degefa, H.; Tolera, M.; Kim, D.-G.; Mekuria, Wolde. 2023. Effects of exclosures on woody species composition and carbon stocks: lessons drawn from the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 34(7):2073-2087. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4590]
Exclosures ; Carbon stock assessments ; Degraded forest land ; Grazing lands ; Soil organic carbon ; Woody plants ; Ecosystems ; Vegetation ; Total nitrogen ; Watersheds ; Biomass / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley / Abine Germama-Gallo Hiraphe Watershed / Kolla Nurena Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051667)
(2.30 MB)
Effects of exclosures on restoring degraded lands may vary with soil type, exclosure age, and conditions before the establishment of exclosures. Yet, studies investigating the effectiveness of exclosures in restoring degraded lands under different environmental conditions are lacking. This study aims at investigating the changes in woody species richness and diversity, and ecosystem carbon stocks after implementing exclosures in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Vegetation and soil data were gathered from 120 nested plots established in exclosures of eight and 30-years-old and adjacent grazing lands. Results showed that exclosures contained a higher number of economically important woody species compared to their respective adjacent grazing lands. However, the exclosures and respective adjacent grazing lands did not differ significantly in the diversity of tree and shrub species, and both the exclosures and adjacent grazing lands were dominated by few tree and shrub species. The older exclosure (30 years old) displayed significantly (p < 0.01) higher soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen content and stocks than the adjacent grazing land, whereas the youngest exclosure (8 years old) did not show a significant difference in these variables. The results suggest that a longer time (e.g., =10 years) is needed to detect significant differences in soil organic carbon and total soil nitrogen. However, exclosures could bring considerable changes in woody species density in a relatively shorter period (e.g., =10 years) and support to restore degraded native woody species.
11 Ali, H.; Menza, M.; Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, Amare. 2022. Impact of climate-smart agriculture adoption on food security and multidimensional poverty of rural farm households in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Agriculture and Food Security, 11:62. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-022-00401-5]
Climate-smart agriculture ; Household food security ; Poverty ; Conservation agriculture ; Integrated soil fertility management ; Diversification ; Climate change ; Small-scale irrigation ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Socioeconomic environment / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051668)
https://agricultureandfoodsecurity.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40066-022-00401-5.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051668.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051668.pdf
(1.51 MB) (1.51 MB)
Background: Climate change has perverse efects on the natural resource base and agricultural productivity, negatively afecting the well-being of households and communities. There are various attempts by the government and NGOs to promote climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices to help farmers adapt to and mitigate these negative impacts. This study aimed to identify CSA practices widely adopted in the study area and examined their impacts on rural farm households’ food security and multidimensional poverty. A three-stage proportional to size sampling procedure was followed to select four districts out of nine districts, and 278 households were randomly selected from two kebeles from each district. A cross-sectional data of the 2020–2021 cropping season were collected using a structured and pretested survey questionnaire. The food consumption score, dietary diversity score, food insecurity experience scale, and multidimensional poverty index, constructed out of 9 indicators, were used to assess households’ food security and poverty status, respectively. A multinomial endogenous switching regression model was used to assess average treatment efects on these outcome indicators.
Results: Widely adopted CSA practices are conservation agriculture, soil fertility management, crop diversifcation, and small-scale irrigation. The results illustrated that adopter households on average showed more food consumption score, dietary diversity score, and less food insecurity experience scale than non-adopters. The results also showed that CSA adopter households, on average, have a low deprivation score in multidimensional poverty than non-adopter households. Accelerating wider adoption of CSA through up-scaling incentives is quite important.
Conclusion: This study showed that CSA adoption improves households’ food security and reduces multidimensional poverty. We conclude that up-scaling of CSA practices is important for contributing to the achievement of SDG1, SDG2 and SDG13 targets.
Results: Widely adopted CSA practices are conservation agriculture, soil fertility management, crop diversifcation, and small-scale irrigation. The results illustrated that adopter households on average showed more food consumption score, dietary diversity score, and less food insecurity experience scale than non-adopters. The results also showed that CSA adopter households, on average, have a low deprivation score in multidimensional poverty than non-adopter households. Accelerating wider adoption of CSA through up-scaling incentives is quite important.
Conclusion: This study showed that CSA adoption improves households’ food security and reduces multidimensional poverty. We conclude that up-scaling of CSA practices is important for contributing to the achievement of SDG1, SDG2 and SDG13 targets.
12 Ali, H.; Menza, M.; Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, Amare. 2023. Impact of climate smart agriculture on households’ resilience and vulnerability: an example from Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Climate Resilience and Sustainability, 2(2):e254. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/cli2.54]
Climate-smart agriculture ; Households ; Climate resilience ; Vulnerability ; Indicators ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Climate change ; Agricultural practices ; Mitigation ; Rural areas ; Livestock ; Food consumption / Africa South of Sahara / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley / Arsi Negele / Dugda / Meskan / Heban Arsi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051959)
https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cli2.54
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051959.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051959.pdf
(0.35 MB) (355 KB)
Climate change is causing serious challenges for smallholder farm households, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The overarching objectives of this study are as follows: (i) to estimate household resilience and vulnerability indices, (ii) identify factors that explain these indices and (iii) to examine the impact of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) on households’ resilience and vulnerability, and (iv) to identify which CSA package performs better in enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerability. For this study, 278 farm households from 4 districts and 8 kebeles from the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia were randomly selected using a three-stage proportional to size sampling procedure. Cross-sectional data applying a structured and pretested survey questionnaire was collected for 2020/21 production season. Household resilience and vulnerability indices were estimated using resilience index and measurement analysis and indicators approaches, respectively. Multinomial endogenous switching regression was used to estimate the average treatment effects (ATEs) of the adoption of CSA practices on households’ resilience and vulnerability. The results show that livestock holding, land size, level of education, and state of food consumption are major explaining factors of resilience, whereas educational level of households, livestock holding, and access to credit are found to be major factors explaining vulnerability. The estimated ATEs indicate that households which adopted more diversified combinations of CSA packages were more resilient and less vulnerable than non-adopter households. The impacts of soil fertility management and conservation agriculture practices have better performance in improving resilience, whereas conservation agriculture and small-scale irrigation performed better in reducing the vulnerability of rural households in CRV. Boosting resilience and reducing vulnerability, hence, requires scaling up CSA among smallholder farmers by diversifying and raising farm households’ income, educational status, and livestock holding.
13 Moges, A.; Yakob, G.; Girma, R.; Teshale, T.; Mekuria, Wolde; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru. 2023. Forest and landscape restoration opportunities in the western catchment of Lake Ziway, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia: technical report. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 64p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2023.219]
Forests ; Landscape conservation ; Land use ; Land cover ; Land degradation ; Land productivity ; Landforms ; Watersheds ; Agroforestry ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Farmland ; Carbon sequestration ; Cost benefit analysis ; Economic viability ; Ecosystem services ; Restoration ; Remote sensing ; Communities ; Freshwater ecosystems ; Biodiversity ; Water conservation ; Vegetation ; Rainfall / Ethiopia / Lake Ziway / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052314)
(1.41 MB)
Forest and landscape restoration measures could address landscape degradation, increase ecosystem services, and improve livelihoods. However, mapping potential areas for forest and landscape restoration measures and identifying enabling and constraining factors is crucial for effective implementation. This study was conducted in the western catchment of Lake Ziway, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia, to identify potential forest and landscape restoration options, map potential areas, assess the benefits and cost of options, and investigate success and failure factors for implementing interventions. The study adopted the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), which enables selecting and mapping forest and landscape restoration options. Data were collected using field surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussion and literature reviews. We also employed GIS and remote sensing methods to characterize the long-term land use and land-cover dynamics and changes in the status of land degradation. Cost–benefit analysis was conducted to assess the economic viability of identified restoration options. The results suggested that over the last 20 years (2002 to 2022), the western catchment of Lake Ziway experienced severe forest and landscape degradation due to anthropogenic and climatic factors, resulting in multiple environmental and socioeconomic consequences. This study identified seven context-specific forest and landscape restoration measures to address the problem. They vary in cost, trajectory and specific economic and social outcomes. Most options were economically viable with additional environmental and social benefits. For example, the benefit of carbon sequestration for home garden agroforestry was estimated at USD 27,032.5 ha-1 over 20 years. It was also found that a considerable portion of the catchment area was potentially suitable for agroforestry practices (40%), particularly for scattered trees on farmlands. However, the potential areas suitable for full afforestation or reforestation and tree buffers are smaller (6%). Integrating multiple forest and landscape restoration measures in the catchment could maximize the environmental and socioeconomic outcomes. Opportunities to effectively implement and scale up the identified forest and landscape restoration options include the availability of adequate active labor, the diverse benefits of measures, and the existence of supporting policies and strategies, multiple potential financing mechanisms and active development of governmental and non-governmental organizations. However, the absence of guidelines for implementing legal issues, weak coordination among responsible institutions, and inadequate finance and incentives have been identified as major constraints to scale up forest and landscape restoration measures. The findings of this study may serve as a guide for the planning, design and implementation of restoration measures in the study catchment and similar future projects in other catchments.
14 Geleta, Y.; Haileslassie, Amare; Simane, B.; Assefa, E.; Bantider, A. 2023. Mapping community perception, synergy, and trade-off of multiple water values in the Central Rift Valley Water System of Ethiopia. Water, 15(16):2986. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w15162986]
Water governance ; Water demand ; Rivers ; Communities ; Assessment ; Environmental flows ; Sociocultural environment / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052332)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/16/2986/pdf?version=1692609478
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052332.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052332.pdf
(6.41 MB) (6.41 MB)
Individuals and communities use and value water in multiple and complex ways. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the pluralistic nature of water values is poorly documented, and the existing and potential value trade-offs are unidentified. This study was undertaken in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia to understand and map water values, priorities, risks, and trade-offs in a multi-stakeholder engagement process to provide the basis for more transparent and accountable decision-making. Integrated assessment methods, combining bio-physical and social methods, were applied. The results show 24 community-perceived and articulated water values that are diverse but interconnected, including values of water, landscapes, the river system, and downstream water bodies. Connections between people and landscape structures are articulated. In terms of priority water values, the overall results reflect the primary but basic need for water for food security and domestic uses. The results further illustrate the pluralistic nature of water values and the dichotomy of preferences among people of different backgrounds. The scenario-based Environmental Flow (EF) assessment exercise integrated into community value preferences and the event calendar that was used show that the river systems in CRV (Ketar, Kulumsa, and Gusha-Temela) have different ecological and socio-cultural flow requirements and that there are marked water value trade-offs. The conclusions of the study suggest that overlapping governance structures are affecting people’s perceptions of water and the way they articulate water values. Policy directions and decision-making need to recognize and acknowledge the multiple water values and competing uses of water in the CRV as a starting point to reconcile trade-offs that will then improve water security. Findings suggest that EF estimation and decision support tools can be customized to local ecological requirements through engaging local stakeholders in the assessment process.
15 Degefa, H.; Tenaye, A.; Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, Amare. 2024. Technical and allocative efficiency of crop production using different storage and water-lifting technologies in Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Irrigation and Drainage, 73(3):1192-1211. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2927]
Agricultural water management ; Water storage ; Crop production ; Efficiency / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052572)
(0.84 MB)
Assessing the efficiency gains, in terms of crop production and productivity, of using agricultural water management is critical to understanding the comparative advantage of using different storage and water-lifting technologies in irrigation development. This study aims to compare the efficiency differences among irrigation farmers using various water-lifting technologies and among users of various technology suites in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data collected from 320 randomly selected smallholder farmers, considering the 2019/2020 production season, were used to analyse a one-step Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier function. The results of the study revealed the existence of technical and allocative efficiency differences between gravity and fuel pump users. Factors that positively determine the level of technical efficiency scores are gender, age, education status, technology type and extension contact. Irrigation experience, access to credit, training and technology type positively affected allocative efficiency, while the distance to the irrigation water source had a negative effect. The findings have important implications for agricultural policy and practice as improving efficiency through the adoption of fuel-powered water-lifting technology could further improve overall agricultural productivity. Designing small-scale friendly business models and promoting irrigation extension services, among others, is critical for scaling successful water management technologies.
16 Besha, K. Z.; Demissie, T. A.; Feyessa, F. F. 2024. Effects of land use/land cover change on hydrological responses of a watershed in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Hydrology Research, 55(2):83-111. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2024.042]
Watersheds ; Hydrological modelling ; Land cover change ; Land use change ; Water balance ; Farmland ; Grasslands ; Runoff ; Water yield ; Evapotranspiration ; Vegetation
/ Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley / Awash Basin
/ Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley / Awash Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052725)
https://iwaponline.com/hr/article-pdf/55/2/83/1376526/nh0550083.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052725.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052725.pdf
(0.93 MB) (948 KB)
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impacts of LULC changes on the hydrological components of a watershed using multivariate statistics, and hydrological modeling approaches. The study analyzed the LULC distributions, and changes corresponding to the years 2000, 2010, and 2020. The SWAT model was then applied to assess the hydrological impacts of these changes in the studied watershed. Finally, changes in LULC types were correlated with the water balance components using a Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) method. The result showed a continuous expansion of barren, built-up, and cropland areas, while forests, shrubs, and grassland decreased by about 67.12, 41, and 36.88%, respectively. The modeling result showed that surface runoff, water yield, and evapotranspiration decreased by 16.1, 2.9, and 9.3%, respectively. In contrast, base flow, soil water storage, and lateral flow of the watershed increased by up to 19.1%, 55.9%, and 150.4%, respectively, due to LULC changes. The PLSR model identified the cropland, forest, and shrub LULC types as the major factors affecting the water resource components. The study results provide useful information for policymakers and planners in the implementation of sustainable water resource planning and management in the context of environmental change.
17 Mekuria Bori, Wolde; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Moges, A.; Girma, R.; Teshale, T.; Yakob, Getahun. 2024. Realizing the opportunities for sustainable landscape management in Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 12p.
Freshwater ecosystems ; Water management ; Wetlands ; Watershed management ; Local communities ; Stakeholders ; Financing / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley / Lake Ziway
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052757)
(11.5 MB)
In Ethiopia, forest landscapes and freshwater ecosystems are important for biodiversity conservation, providing a range of benefits and services that are fundamental to the environment, society and economy. However, human activities such as agricultural expansion, land-use and land-cover changes, together with climate change have impacted these ecosystems and the services they provide. Despite these challenges, 4 years of field studies (2019-2023) of the SaWeL (Safeguarding Sahelian Wetlands for Food Security) project in the western catchment of Lake Ziway, one of the freshwater ecosystems in Ethiopia, demonstrates various opportunities that exist to better manage the forest landscapes and freshwater ecosystems. This brief provides recommendations on how to improve the planning, design and implementation of landscape management practices, and how to use the Ecologically Sustainable Agricultural Water Management (ESAWM) framework. The brief is also intended to help local-level practitioners (government, Nongovernmental organizations [NGOs], and private sectors) realize existing opportunities for sustainable landscape management.
18 Jibat, E.; Senbeta, F.; Zeleke, T.; Hagos, Fitsum. 2024. Understanding water governance in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: governance framework, coherence and practices. Environmental Management, 74(3):505-517. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-01966-6]
Water governance ; Frameworks ; Water resources ; Irrigation water ; Stakeholder engagement ; Policy coherence ; Water allocation ; Licences / Ethiopia / Central Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052706)
(0.85 MB)
Water governance demands multi-sector participation beyond the state; and, appropriate laws, policies, regulations, and institutions need to be developed and put in place for sustainable use of water resources. A good water policy, a critical and integral instrument of water governance, guides water use schemes and ensures equitable water distribution among users. The Ethiopian Central Rift Valley (CRV) is rich in water resources, but these water resources are currently under severe strain owing to an imbalance in human-water interactions. This study examined the state of water resources governance framework, policy coherence, actors’ engagement and transparency, accountability, and participation in irrigation water supply in the CRV of Ethiopia. Key informant interviews (KII), focused group discussions, and document reviews were used to gather data for the study. The NVivo 11 program was used to organize, code, and analyze the data. The results revealed that water resources governance practices such as water allocation and apportionment, water resources protection, and conservation activities were inappropriately exercised. Water resources management policy mechanisms were not fully put in place. Lack of coherence in water policy implementation, absence of clear roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, absence of transparency and accountability in irrigation water service delivery, and lack of meaningful participation of key actors in water governance decision-making were observed. As a result, over-abstraction, deterioration of buffer zone areas, and chemical erosion from surrounding farming are attributed to the reduction in water volume and quality in the CRV. These challenges have influenced aquatic ecosystem services and threaten the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Hence, reforms relating to policy coherence and enforcement, stakeholder engagement, water distribution strategies, and the implementation of water governance principles must be given adequate emphasis.
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