Your search found 24 records
1 Mapedza, Everisto; Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Evaluating baseline indicators pertaining to Oxfam America's Water Program in Ethiopia: a revised report prepared for Oxfam America. Pretoria, South Africa; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 88p.
Development projects ; Water resource management ; Food security ; Institutions ; Irrigation schemes ; Investment ; Cooperatives ; Households ; Rural areas ; Water user associations ; Non governmental organizations ; Impact assessment ; Indicators ; Women ; Leadership ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Oromiya / Tigray / Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043433)
(1.83 MB)
The goal of Oxfam America's Water Program in Ethiopia is to improve smallholders’ food security and strengthen their livelihoods in moisture-stressed areas of Oromiya, Tigray and Amhara National Regional States. To realize this goal, smallholder households must exercise their rights to access and manage water resources sustainably and equitably, for irrigating crops and raising livestock. Better access, equitable sharing, and sustainable management are essential outcomes that must be achieved along the path to greater food security and more resilient livelihoods.
2 Hagos, Fitsum; Jayasinghe, Gayathree; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Loulseged, Makonnen; Yilma, Aster Denekew. 2011. Poverty impacts of agricultural water management technologies in Ethiopia. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Balcha, Y. (Comps.). Irrigation and water for sustainable development: proceedings of the Second Forum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 15-16 December 2008. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.184-212.
Rural poverty ; Analysis ; Investment ; Water management ; Irrigation water ; Rainfed farming ; Technology ; Farmers ; Households ; Income ; Cost benefit analysis ; Water harvesting ; Wells ; Dams ; Ponds / Ethiopia / Amhara / Oromia / SNNPR / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044263)
(0.27 MB)
Farmers in rural Ethiopia live in a climate-related shock-prone environment. The major source of climate shock is the persistent variation in the amount and distribution of rainfall. The dependence on unreliable rainfall increases farmers’ vulnerability to shocks while also constraining farmers’ decisions to use yieldenhancing modern inputs, exacerbating the vulnerability of households to poverty and food insecurity. As a response, the Government of Ethiopia has embarked on massive investment in low-cost agricultural water management technologies (AWMTs). Despite these huge investments, their impact remains hardly understood. The main focus of this paper was to explore whether access to selected AWMTs, such as deep and shallow wells, ponds, river diversions and small dams, has led to a significant reduction in poverty and, if they did so, to identify which technologies have higher impacts. The study also calculated the net present value of the selected AWMT, to assess which of the AWMTs are worth investing in given that they have the promise of reducing poverty. In measuring impact we followed different approaches: mean separation tests, propensity score matching and poverty analysis. The study used a unique dataset from a representative sample of 1,517 households from 29 Peasant Associations (Kebeles) in four regions of Ethiopia. Findings indicated that the estimated average treatment effect on per capita income was significant and amounted to USD 82. Moreover, there was 22% less poverty incidence among users of AWMTs compared to nonusers. The poverty impact of AWMT was also found to differ by technology type. Accordingly, deep wells, river diversions and micro-dams have led to 50, 32 and 25%, respectively, reduction in poverty incidence compared to the reference, i.e., rain-fed systems. Although, the selected AWMTs were found to contribute to poverty reduction, we found that ponds, deep wells and small dams were not attractive from a social cost-benefit analysis perspective, implying that choices need to be made considering their relative financial viability and poverty reduction impacts compared to other available options that could improve rain-fed agriculture. Finally, our study identified the most important determinants of poverty, on the basis of which we made policy recommendations: i) build assets (AWMT, livestock, etc.); ii) human resources development; and iii) improve the functioning of labor markets and access to these (input or output) markets for enhanced impact of AWMT on poverty.
3 Tafesse, A. 2005. Ethiopia experience in watershed management and lessons learned. Paper presented at the Regional Workshop on the Eastern Nile Integrated Watershed Management Project, Bahhir Dar, Ethiopia, 5-7 December 2005. 40p.
Watershed management ; Erosion ; Water harvesting ; Farming systems ; Institutions ; Organizations / Ethiopia / Nile River Basin / Tigray / Amhara / Oromia Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: P 8077 Record No: H044389)
(0.31 MB)
4 Nedessa, B.; Ali, J.; Nyborg, I. 2005. Exploring ecological and socio-economic issues for the improvement of area enclosure management: a case study from Ethiopia. Oslo, Norway: Drylands Coordination Group (DCG). 55p. (Drylands Coordination Group Report 38)
Land degradation ; Land tenure ; Land conservation ; Community involvement ; Women / Ethiopia / Africa South of Sahara / Tigray / Amhara / Oromya
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: P 8078 Record No: H044392)
(0.83 MB) (847 KB)
In spite of the impressive results of the ecological rehabilitation and improvements of productivity, many communities have had bad experiences with AEs in the past due to uncertainty and the lack of clarity of land tenure and public land use policy in the country. Due to these uncertainties, the communities did not have decision making power in the management and utilization of the resources. In addition, they could not use grass and wood produced in the AEs. This adversely affected the sense of ownership and community commitment for effective protection and sustainable management of the resources. This problem is still not adequately addressed and the communities are uncertain about the future of land tenure and land use policy. This has restricted them in making decisions that are important for the sustainability of the AEs and resources within. In an attempt to remedy this situation, the Drylands Coordination Group (DCG) commissioned this study to develop guidelines to support the government in developing management plans with a clear land tenure and land use policy for the sustainable management of AEs.
5 Kassawmar, T.; Gessesse, G. D.; Zeleke, G.; Subhatu, A. 2018. Assessing the soil erosion control efficiency of land management practices implemented through free community labor mobilization in Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 6(2):87-98. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2018.02.001]
Erosion control ; Watersheds ; Land management ; Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Soil erosion models ; Universal soil loss equation ; Land use ; Land cover change ; Labour ; Communities / Ethiopia / Amhara / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048779)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095633917302277/pdfft?md5=fcee31b61dafb53dfec1faccc0f338d9&pid=1-s2.0-S2095633917302277-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048779.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048779.pdf
(4.13 MB) (4.13 MB)
This study aimed to assess the influence of conservation practices (P) and cover management (C) on soil loss reduction by determining it at the scale of landscape units in 16 systematically selected watersheds. Focusing on major land management practices implemented through free community labor mobilization, the assessment combined remote sensing techniques, field observation, and expert as well as local knowledge. The results show an average net decrement of 39% ( 7 19%) in the P factor value and 8.9% ( 7 21%) in the C factor value after implementation of land management practices. P factor value reduction is linked to a high area coverage of level structures, while increases in the P factor value are associated with poor quality of structures, inappropriate practices, and wide spacing between structures on steep slopes. C factor value reduction is observed in non-arable shrub- and bushland with enriched area closure, whereas increased C factor values are associated with open access grasslands and untreated croplands. The overall change in P and C factor values resulted in a 42% ( 7 28%) relative soil loss reduction. The demonstrated approach makes it possible to assess spatial and temporal dynamics in the P and C erosion factors and to estimate spatially disaggregated changes in the P and C factor values. This can help to improve parameterization of inputs for erosion modelling and to assess their relative soil loss effect. The approach provides valuable feedback on watershed planning processes and supports informed decisions regarding the appropriate selection of land management practices.
6 Woldewahid, G.; Biazin, B.; Haileslassie, Amare. 2019. Enabling frontline water lifting service providers to reduce risks of crop failure and increase producer confidence in adopting irrigation: LIVES [Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders] experiences. In Mekonnen, K.; Yasabu, S.; Gebremedhin, B.; Woldemeskel, E.; Tegegne, A.; Thorne, P. (Eds.). Proceedings of a Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8-9 December 2016. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). pp.9-12.
Water lifting ; Crop losses ; Yield losses ; Risk reduction ; Irrigated farming ; Pumps ; Water supply ; Technology ; Farmers / Ethiopia / Tigray / Oromia / Amhara / Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049334)
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/102356/AR_proceedings_2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049334.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049334.pdf
(0.07 MB) (6.23 MB)
7 Abera, W.; Tamene, L.; Tibebe, D.; Adimassu, Zenebe; Kassa, H.; Hailu, H.; Mekonnen, K.; Desta, G.; Sommer, R.; Verchot, L. 2020. Characterizing and evaluating the impacts of national land restoration initiatives on ecosystem services in Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 31(1):37-52. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3424]
Land restoration ; Ecosystem services ; Land degradation ; Landscape conservation ; Impact assessment ; Sustainable land management ; Projects ; Agroecological zones ; Soil erosion ; Highlands ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Tigray / Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049428)
(9.02 MB)
Land restoration is considered to be the remedy for 21st century global challenges of land degradation. As a result, various land restoration and conservation efforts are underway at different scales. Ethiopia is one of the countries with huge investments in land restoration. Tremendous land management practices have been implemented across the country since the 1970s. However, the spatial distribution of the interventions has not been documented, and there is no systematic, quantitative evidence on whether land restoration efforts have achieved the restoration of desired ecosystem services. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed scientific literature related to land restoration efforts and their impacts in Ethiopia. Results show that most of the large-scale projects have been implemented in the highlands, specifically in Tigray and Amhara regions covering about 24 agroecological zones, and land restoration impact studies are mostly focused in the highlands but restricted in about 11 agroecological zones. The highest mean effect on agricultural productivity is obtained from the combination of bunds and biological interventions followed by conservation agriculture practices with 170% and 18% increases, respectively. However, bunds alone, biological intervention alone, and terracing (fanya juu) reveal negative effects on productivity. The mean effect of all land restoration interventions on soil organic carbon is positive, the highest effect being from “bunds + biological” (139%) followed by exclosure (90%). Reduced soil erosion and runoff are the dominant impacts of all interventions. The results can be used to improve existing guidelines to better match land restoration options with specific desired ecosystem functions and services. Although the focus of this study was on the evaluation of the impacts of land restoration efforts on selected ecosystem services, impacts on livelihood and national socioeconomy have not been examined. Thus, strengthening socioeconomic studies at national scale to assess the sustainability of land restoration initiatives is an essential next step.
8 Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, Amare. 2019. Institutional issues and arrangements in irrigation management (Water Users Association - WUA). [Abstract only]. Paper presented at the Ethiopia Water and Energy Week, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 17-20 June 2019. 2p.
Irrigation management ; Water user associations ; Water institutions ; Corporate culture ; Water distribution ; Irrigation schemes ; Maintenance / Ethiopia / Amhara / Oromia / Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049467)
(600 KB)
9 Occelli, M.; Mantino, A.; Ragaglini, G.; Dell’Acqua, M.; Fadda, C.; Pe, M. E.; Nuvolari, A. 2021. Traditional knowledge affects soil management ability of smallholder farmers in marginal areas. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 41(1):9. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-020-00664-x]
Soil management ; Indigenous knowledge ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Less favoured areas ; Soil fertility ; Farming systems ; Food systems ; Cropping systems ; Highlands ; Households ; Villages ; Socioeconomic environment ; Models / Ethiopia / Amhara / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050189)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s13593-020-00664-x.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050189.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050189.pdf
(1.30 MB) (1.30 MB)
Soil fertility is key to sustainable intensification of agriculture and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, when soil nutrients are not adequately managed, smallholder farming practices slowly erode soils to almost inert systems. This case study contributes to the understanding of such failures in marginal areas. We integrate agronomic and social sciences approaches to explore links between smallholder households’ farming knowledge and soil fertility in an ethnopedological perspective. We interview 280 smallholder households in two areas of the Ethiopian highlands, while collecting measures of 11 soil parameters at their main field. By analyzing soil compositions at tested households, we identify a novel measure of soil management ability, which provides an effective empirical characterization of the soil managing capacity of a household. Regression analysis is used to evaluate the effects of household knowledge on the soil management ability derived from laboratory analysis. Results highlight the complexity of knowledge transmission in low-input remote areas. We are able to disentangle a home learning and a social learning dimension of the household knowledge and appraise how they can result in virtuous and vicious cycles of soil management ability. We show that higher soil management ability is associated with farmers relying to a great extent on farming knowledge acquired within the household, as a result of practices slowly elaborated over the years. Conversely, lower soil management ability is linked to households valuing substantially farming knowledge acquired through neighbors and social gatherings. The present study is the first to formulate the concept of soil management ability and to investigate the effects of the presence and the types of farming knowledge on the soil management ability of smallholder farmers in remote areas. We show that farming knowledge has a primary role on soil fertility and we advise its consideration in agricultural development policies.
10 Tarekegn, N.; Abate, B.; Muluneh, A.; Dile, Y. 2021. Modeling the impact of climate change on the hydrology of Andasa Watershed. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 17p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-020-01063-7]
Climate change ; Hydrology ; Watersheds ; Forecasting ; Temperature ; Rain ; Stream flow ; Soil moisture ; Land use ; Modelling ; Uncertainty / Ethiopia / Upper Blue Nile Basin / Andasa Watershed / Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050195)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40808-020-01063-7.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050195.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050195.pdf
(2.93 MB) (2.93 MB)
This paper was aimed to study the impact of climate change on the hydrology of Andasa watershed for the period 2013–2099. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) was calibrated and validated, and thereby used to study the impact of climate change on the water balance. The future climate change scenarios were developed using future climate outputs from the Hadley Center Climate Model version 3 (HadCM3) A2 (high) and B2 (low) emission scenarios and Canadian Earth System Model version 2 (CanESM2) Representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The large-scale maximum/minimum temperature and rainfall data were downscaled to fine-scale resolution using the Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM). The mean monthly temperature projection of the four scenarios indicated an increase by a range of 0.4–8.5 °C while the mean monthly rainfall showed both a decrease of up to 97% and an increase of up to 109%. The long-term mean of all the scenarios indicated an increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall trends. Simulations showed that climate change may cause substantial impacts in the hydrology of the watershed by increasing the potential evapotranspiration (PET) by 4.4–17.3% and decreasing streamflow and soil water by 48.8–95.6% and 12.7–76.8%, respectively. The findings suggested that climate change may cause moisture-constrained environments in the watershed, which may impact agricultural activities in the watershed. Appropriate agricultural water management interventions should be implemented to mitigate and adapt to the plausible impacts of climate change by conserving soil moisture and reducing evapotranspiration.
11 Gebreyes, M.; Mekonnen, K.; Thorne, P.; Derseh, M.; Adie, A.; Mulema, A.; Kemal, S. A.; Tamene, L.; Amede, T.; Haileslassie, Amare; Gebrekirstos, A.; Mupangwa, W. T.; Ebrahim, M.; Alene, T.; Asfaw, A.; Dubale, W.; Yasabu, S. 2021. Overcoming constraints of scaling: critical and empirical perspectives on agricultural innovation scaling. PLoS ONE, 16(5):e0251958. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251958]
Agricultural innovation systems ; Scaling ; Strategies ; Agricultural research ; Development projects ; CGIAR ; Farming systems ; Farmers ; Constraints ; Social aspects / Africa / Ethiopia / Amhara / Oromia / Tigray / Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050439)
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0251958&type=printable
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050439.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050439.pdf
(0.76 MB) (778 KB)
Scaling is a ubiquitous concept in agricultural research in the global south as donors require their research grantees to prove that their results can be scaled to impact upon the livelihoods of a large number of beneficiaries. Recent studies on scaling have brought critical perspectives to the rather technocratic tendencies in the agricultural innovations scaling literature. Drawing on theoretical debates on spatial strategies and practical experience of agricultural innovation scaling in Ethiopia, this paper adds to the current debate on what constitutes scaling and how to overcome critical scaling constraints. The data for the paper came from a qualitative assessment using focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and document analysis on scaling work done in Ethiopia by a USAID-funded research for development project. The paper concludes with four broad lessons for the current understating of agricultural innovation scaling. First, scaling of agricultural innovations requires a balanced focus on technical requirements and associated social dynamics surrounding scaling targets, actors involved and their social relations. Second, appreciating the social dynamics of scaling emphasizes the fact that scaling is more complex than a linear rolling out of innovations towards diffusion. Third, scaling may not be strictly planned; instead, it might be an extension of the innovation generation process that relies heavily on both new and long-term relationships with key partners, trust, and continuous reflection and learning. Fourth, the overall implication of the above three conclusions is that scaling strategies need to be flexible, stepwise, and reflective. Despite the promises of flourishing scaling frameworks, scaling strategies it would appear from the Africa RISING experience that, if real impact is to be achieved, approaches will be required to be flexible enough to manage the social, processual and emergent nature of the practice of scaling.
12 Addisie, M. B.; Gelaye, T. Y.; Teshome, W. M. 2021. Households' reluctance to collect potable water from improved sources, Ethiopia. AQUA - Water Infrastructure, Ecosystems and Society, 70(6):868-878. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2021.158]
Drinking water ; Water use ; Households ; Water management ; Sustainability ; Rural areas ; Water supply ; Infrastructure ; Decision making ; Women ; Children ; Socioeconomic environment / Ethiopia / Simada / Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050702)
https://iwaponline.com/aqua/article-pdf/70/6/868/937362/jws0700868.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050702.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050702.pdf
(0.50 MB) (516 KB)
Water resources development and management are central to economic growth and poverty reduction. Despite considerable efforts, many households still rely on unimproved water sources. This research aimed to understand the reasons behind household reluctance to collect potable water from improved sources in urban and rural settings. Sixteen water points were selected purposively and a household survey conducted on the selected improved water source users. The result shows that in the urban areas people were satisfied with the water services provided. However, the poor could not afford the high cost of water and households sought unprotected alternative sources. Seventy-seven per cent of the urban and 65% of the rural households collect water from unimproved sources. Family size was the determinant factor for household water consumption from improved sources. Reliability, queuing time, high quality, and distance were associated with households' reluctance to collect potable water from improved sources. In conclusion, households' dependency on unprotected sources had a direct impact on the sustainability of schemes. Social factors are also fundamental when thinking about the sustainability of schemes.
13 Fenta, H. M; Hussein, M. A.; Tilahun, S. A.; Nakawuka, Prossie; Steenhuis, T. S.; Barron, Jennie; Adie, A.; Blummel, M.; Schmitter, Petra. 2022. Berken plow and intercropping with pigeon pea ameliorate degraded soils with a hardpan in the Ethiopian highlands. Geoderma, 407:115523. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115523]
Agricultural production ; Intercropping ; Maize ; Pigeon peas ; Soil penetration resistance ; Soil degradation ; Soil analysis ; Hardpans ; Soil moisture ; Tillage ; Rainfed farming ; Runoff ; Water storage ; Highlands ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Economic analysis ; Crop yield ; Soil chemicophysical properties ; Infiltration ; Sediment ; Watersheds / Ethiopia / Amhara / Robit Bata Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050790)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016706121006030/pdfft?md5=1a75bfbda044c2e453917450c6e20dab&pid=1-s2.0-S0016706121006030-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050790.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050790.pdf
(8.62 MB) (8.62 MB)
Closing the yield gap and enhancing efficiency in rainfed maize production systems in Ethiopia requires urgent action in increasing the productivity of degraded agricultural land. The degradation of land through continuous compaction and decline in the organic matter has resulted in a wide-spread formation of a hardpan that restricts deep percolation, prevents plant root development, and, ultimately can lead to increased erosion. Studies exploring practical low-cost solutions to break the hardpan are limited in Ethiopia. The main objective was to evaluate soil mechanical (i.e. modified plow or Berken plow) or biological intervention (i.e. intercropping with pigeon pea) effectiveness to enhance soil water management and crop yield of rainfed maize systems whilst reducing soil erosion and runoff. Five farm fields, each including four plots with different tillage treatments, were monitored during two rainy seasons in 2016 and 2017. The treatments were: (i) farmers practice under conventional (CT) tillage; plots tilled three times using an oxen driven local plow Maresha, (ii) no-till (NT), (iii) Berken tillage (BT), plots tilled three times using an oxen pulled Berken plow, and (iv) biological (CT + Bio), taprooted pigeon pea intercropped with maize on plots conventionally tilled. Results showed that mean tillage depth was significantly deeper in the BT (28 cm) treatment compared to CT and CT + Bio (18 cm) treatments. Measured soil penetration resistance significantly decreased up to 40 cm depth under BT and maize roots reached 1.5 times deeper compared to roots measured in the CT treatment. Under BT, the estimated water storage in the root zone was estimated at 556 mm, 1.86 times higher compared to CT, 3.11 times higher compared to NT and 0.89 times higher compared to CT + Bio. The positive effects on increased water storage and root development resulted in an average increase in maize grain (i.e. 15%, 0.95 t ha- 1 ) and residual above ground biomass (0.3%, 6.4 t ha- 1 ) leading to a positive net benefit of 138 USD ha- 1 for the BT treatment compared to the CT treatment. The negative net benefit obtained under CT and CT+Bio was mainly related to the high labor cost related to plowing, weeding, planting, and fertilizer application whilst in the NT this was related to the significantly lower maize yields. The positive effects in the BT treatment, and to some extent the CT+Bio treatment show great potential for smallholder rainfed maize systems where degraded soils with hardpans and high variability in rainfall prevail.
14 Koroso, N. H.; Lengoiboni, M.; Zevenbergen, J. A. 2021. Urbanization and urban land use efficiency: evidence from regional and Addis Ababa satellite cities, Ethiopia. Habitat International, 117:102437. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2021.102437]
Urbanization ; Urban land ; Land-use planning ; Towns ; Remote sensing ; Satellite imagery ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities ; Land management ; Urban planning ; Population growth ; Farmland ; Infrastructure ; Policies / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa / Oromia / Amhara / Tigray
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050751)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397521001260/pdfft?md5=aec658ae67b9990ce292a9d521cd6662&pid=1-s2.0-S0197397521001260-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050751.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050751.pdf
(14.90 MB) (14.9 MB)
Ethiopia has experienced rapid urbanization over the past three decades. Several cities expanded rapidly and many satellite towns sprung up around the major cities. The high rate of urbanization and urban growth resulted in high demand for urban land, mainly for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes. In order to meet the demand, an enormous amount of land has been made available for urban use, mainly through land conversion. However, we know very little about how efficiently cities use urban land. This paper investigated the urban land use efficiency (ULUE) of sixteen cities in Ethiopia. Remote sensing data (Landsat 7/8) was analysed with ArcGIS to assess spatiotemporal land use changes between 2007 and 2019. Built-up environment footprints were computed from Google Earth imagery. The ratio of land consumption to population growth rate, and the rate of urban infill were assessed. The findings revealed a prevalence of urban land use inefficiencies in all cities. In most cities, the rate of land consumption far exceeds the population growth rate. Densification (urban infill) is low and slow. A considerable part of the converted agricultural land sits idle within the built-up area for many years. Low ULUE is what fuels urban sprawl, fragmentation and informal settlements. This study emphasised the need to implement urban policies and practices aimed at improving ULUE. Improving ULUE is imperative to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; ensuring sustainable urban land use; addressing land prices and housing shortages; protecting farmland and ecosystems; tackling land hoarding, urban sprawl and informal settlements.
15 International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2021. Prices, loans or ambiguity? Factors influencing groundwater irrigation adoption in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 4p. (IWMI Water Policy Brief 42) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2021.225]
Groundwater irrigation ; Farmer-led irrigation ; Water pricing ; Loans ; Pumps ; Private ownership ; Groundwater extraction ; Boreholes ; Wells ; Water drilling ; Solar energy ; Irrigated land ; Climate change ; Forecasting ; Policies ; Hunger ; Smallholders / Ethiopia / Amhara / Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) / Dera / Lemo
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050809)
(1.37 MB)
Governments in sub-Saharan Africa promote the expansion of irrigation to improve food security, primarily through the adoption and use of groundwater-based smallholder private irrigation. Using the case of Ethiopia, we examine farmers’ willingness to adopt smallholder private irrigation packages in response to subsidies on pump prices, loan availability and reduction in ambiguities related to borehole drilling. The results of the research highlight that subsidizing pump prices may not be the best use of public funds to expand irrigation. Instead, decreasing ambiguities around borehole drilling is likely to play a significant role and is a cost-effective step toward expanding groundwater-based irrigation and increasing the adoption of pumps by small-scale farmers. The policy implication is that the government should help farmers minimize the uncertainties and cost of unsuccessful drilling. This will require the government to study groundwater hydrogeology, use information on groundwater depth, seasonality and recharge to drill boreholes, and absorb the costs of unsuccessful drilling.
16 Hilemelekot, F.; Ayal, D. Y.; Ture, K.; Zeleke, T. T. 2021. Climate change and variability adaptation strategies and their implications for household food Security: the case of Basona Worena District, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Climate Services, 24:100269. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2021.100269]
Climate change adaptation ; Strategies ; Household food security ; Agroforestry ; Livelihoods ; Drought ; Flooding ; Food consumption ; Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Developing countries ; Agricultural production ; Diversification / Ethiopia / Amhara / North Shewa / Basona Worena
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050821)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405880721000571/pdfft?md5=fd6b691064332ba8d5dcdc9bf92c9c08&pid=1-s2.0-S2405880721000571-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050821.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050821.pdf
(2.38 MB) (2.38 MB)
The impact of climate change and variability on agriculture and food security is severe in countries that heavily depend on rainfed subsistence agriculture. Examine climate change and variability and determinant factors of adaptation to ensure household food security in Basona Worena District, central highland of Ethiopia. Data were collected from the randomly selected 138 sample households, key informants and National Meteorological Agency. Rainfall and temperature trend and variability were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test and Precipitation Concentration Index. Household food security was determined using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and Food Consumption Score. Moreover, Tobit Model was used to examine climate change and variability adaptation options, while ordered logistic regression was employed to examine the contribution of climate change and variability adaptation to household food security status from the food consumption dimension. In the study site, an increasing minimum and maximum temperatures and decreasing and variable annual and spring season rainfalls were observed. The site has experienced recurrent drought for the last 35 years (1981–2016). Farmers were practicing biophysical soil and water conservation technologies, agro-forestry, small scale irrigation, livelihood diversification, and growing of high yielding and drought resistant crop varieties. The study identified that extension advisory services, access to training, farm size, sex, frequency of flood, and access to credit determine farmers’ climate change and variability adaptation options. HFIAS and FCS analysis shows that food insecurity is high in the study site. Household food security status was influenced by climate variability and limited adaptation responses. The study suggests the implementation of feasible soil and water conservation, and livelihood diversification intervention to ensure household food security.
17 Tofu, D. A.; Woldeamanuel, T.; Haile, F. 2022. Smallholder farmers’ vulnerability and adaptation to climate change induced shocks: the case of northern Ethiopia highlands. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 8:100312. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2022.100312]
Climate change adaptation ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Vulnerability ; Highlands ; Drought ; Natural resources ; Crop production ; Food insecurity ; Households ; Livelihoods ; Livestock / Ethiopia / Amhara / North Wollo / Wag Hemra
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051135)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266615432200045X/pdfft?md5=6e5cbcb5520fd44f68b99c7b13e86d5d&pid=1-s2.0-S266615432200045X-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051135.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051135.pdf
(1.93 MB) (1.93 MB)
This study was initiated to analyze smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change-induced shocks and identify the adaptation strategies they practice. The study was conducted in the North Wollo and Wag Hemra zones of the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. It employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The zones and districts were selected purposively based on the frequency of shocks and the sample Kebeles1 and sample respondents were selected randomly. Quantitative data were collected using a household survey, whereas qualitative data were collected via focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. While the quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the qualitative data were transcribed, coded, organized thematically based on these similarities, and interpreted thematically. The results show that the major climate change-induced shocks in the area were increase in temperature and changes in rainfall-related variables, such as shifts in rainy periods, shortages of rain, and variability of rainfall. In addition, droughts, crop and livestock pests and diseases, and pasture and water scarcity are all widespread in the area. As a result, land degradation and reduced crop and livestock output were identified as the primary impacts due to climate change-induced shocks on smallholder livelihoods. The findings demonstrate that households and communities are extremely vulnerable to climate change-related shocks. To reduce their vulnerability to climate change, smallholder farmers in the area used both autonomous and policy-driven climate change adaptation strategies, such as soil and water conservation practices, haystack preparation, improved crop varieties, fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide application. Nonetheless, smallholder farmers' vulnerability to climate change-induced shocks persists, owing to the limitations in the implementation of existing adaptation strategies in the area. Limited access to finance, information, and technologies have all been an obstacle in the sector, preventing comprehensive adaptation to climate change. As a result, smallholder farmers' capacity to adopt both autonomous and policy-driven climate change adaptation strategies must be strengthened. Hence use of improved crop and livestock varieties, application of good agricultural practices, construction of micro-and small-scale irrigation structures, and provision of well-coordinated early warning systems are examples of adaptation strategies that could be implemented to reduce vulnerability to climate change-induced shocks and increase farmers' adaptive capacity.
18 Getu, L. A.; Nagy, A.; Addis, H. K. 2022. Soil loss estimation and severity mapping using the RUSLE model and GIS in Megech Watershed, Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges, 8:100560. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100560]
Soil erosion ; Estimation ; Models ; Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation ; Geographical information systems ; Watersheds ; Soil conservation ; Highlands ; Land use ; Land cover ; Farmland / Ethiopia / Amhara / Megech Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051269)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010022001172/pdfft?md5=f6b63be7ec22e67c8a50fa904c939dfa&pid=1-s2.0-S2667010022001172-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051269.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051269.pdf
(5.75 MB) (5.75 MB)
Soil erosion is the most serious problem that affects economic development, food security, and ecosystem services, which is the main concern in Ethiopia. This study focused on quantifying soil erosion rate and severity mapping of the Megech watershed for effective planning and decision-making processes to implement protection measures. The RUSLE model integrated with ArcGIS software was used to accomplish the objectives. The six RUSLE model parameters: erosivity, erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover management, and erosion control practices were used as input parameters to compute the average annual soil loss and identify erosion hotspots in the watershed. The RUSLE estimated a total soil loss of 1,399,210 t yr-1 from the watershed with a mean annual soil loss of 32.84 t ha-1yr-1. The soil erosion rate varied from 0.08 to greater than 500 t ha-1yr-1. A severity map with seven severity classes was created for 27 sub-watersheds: low (below 10), moderate (10–20), high (20–30), very high (30–35), severe (35–40), very severe (40–45) and extremely severe (above 45) in which the values are in ton ha-1yr-1. The area coverage was 6.5%, 11.1%, 8.7%, 22%, 30.9%, 13.4%, and 7.4% for low, moderate, high, very high, severe, very severe, and extremely severe erosion classes, respectively. About 82% of the watershed was found in more than the high-risk category which reflects the need for immediate land management action. This paper could be important for decision-makers to prioritize critical erosion hotspots for comprehensive and sustainable management of the watershed.
19 Moreda, T. 2022. Beyond land rights registration: understanding the mundane elements of land conflict in Ethiopia. Journal of Peasant Studies, 30p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2022.2120813]
Land rights ; Land registration ; Land conflicts ; Commercialization ; Land administration ; Land governance ; Land tenure ; Land dispute ; Common lands ; Land use ; Land resources ; Households ; Political ecology ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Amhara / Gondar / Tach Gayint / Fogera
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051418)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03066150.2022.2120813
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051418.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051418.pdf
(2.50 MB) (2.50 MB)
While land registration may increase the sense of security amongst landholders and provide a mechanism for resolving boundary disputes, its interaction with social, political-economic and ecological dynamics can actually generate conflicts by creating new opportunities by which some actors can assert claims or expand their landholdings, often at the expense of others. Conflicts over land cannot be understood without understanding the local dynamics with which they are intertwined. Drawing from case studies in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, this paper shows that, despite land registration and certification, there are widespread conflicts within and between households and state authorities regarding the usufruct of individual and communal lands. The paper argues that conflicts over land are complex and political and are linked to and embedded in the processes of commercialization, as well as in local social processes and power relations. These, in turn, influence and are shaped by the political economy of local governance and land administration processes, particularly in relation to the implementation of land registration. The paper highlights that land conflicts are attributed to a range of issues, including not only the challenges of governance in land registration but also population growth, commercialization, urbanization, inheritance and gender inequality, all of which intersect with corrupt land administration systems .
20 Negese, A.; Worku, D.; Shitaye, A.; Getnet, H. 2022. Potential flood-prone area identification and mapping using GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making and analytical hierarchy process in Dega Damot District, northwestern Ethiopia. Applied Water Science, 12(12):255. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-022-01772-7]
Flooding ; Mapping ; Geographical information systems ; Decision making ; Land use ; Land cover ; Soil types ; Rivers ; Rain ; Satellite imagery ; Normalized difference vegetation index ; Models / Ethiopia / Amhara / Dega Damot
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051454)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s13201-022-01772-7.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051454.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051454.pdf
(9.80 MB) (9.80 MB)
Flood is one of the natural hazards that causes widespread destruction such as huge infrastructural damages, considerable economic losses, and social disturbances across the world in general and in Ethiopia, in particular. Dega Damot is one of the most vulnerable districts in Ethiopia to flood hazards, and no previous studies were undertaken to map flood-prone areas in the district despite flood-prone areas identification and mapping being crucial tasks for the residents and decision-makers to reduce and manage the risk of flood. Hence, this study aimed to identify and map flood-prone areas in Dega Damot district, northwestern Ethiopia, using the integration of Geographic Information System and multi-criteria decision-making method with analytical hierarchy process. Flood-controlling factors such as elevation, slope, flow accumulation, distance from rivers, annual rainfall, drainage density, topographic wetness index, land use and land cover, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, soil type, and curvature were weighted and overlayed together to achieve the objective of the study. The result shows that about 86.83% of the study area has moderate to very high susceptibility to flooding, and 13.17% of the study area has low susceptibility to flooding. The northeastern and southwestern parts of the study area dominated by low elevation and slope, high drainage density, flow accumulation, topographic wetness index, and cropland land use were found to be more susceptible areas to flood hazards. The final flood susceptibility map generated by the model was found to be consistent with the historical flood events on the ground in the study area, revealing the method’s effectiveness used in the study to identify and map areas susceptible to flood.
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