address the nexus problem. Qualitative and
quantitative indicators and models can be used to
evaluate the performance of introduced watershed interventions.
4 Conclusions
Integrated watershed management interventions
such as SWC were designed as a strategy in
addressing the objectives of the nexus approach
(water–soil–waste–food
security)
through
increasing the ground and surface water availability, increasing vegetative biomass, reducing
soil erosion and flooding, and improving soil
fertility. Such impacts of watershed management
implemented for more than 2–3 decades have
contributed to the reduction of the water and food
insecurity in the Tigray region. This study confirms that watershed management interventions
have a key role in improving the land cover of
watersheds, decreasing soil erosion, increasing
soil moisture, reducing sedimentation and runoff,
stabilization of gullies and river banks, rehabilitation of degraded land, and increased recharge
in the subsurface water, thereby contributing to
poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods.
However, the results of previous projects have
revealed some variability in the extent of success
of watershed management interventions, which
suggests that there are differences in the motive
and capacities of the implementers and community. Even more, reports have revealed that
watershed management practices have not, or
only to a limited extent been adopted in parts of
Ethiopia, which demands further investigation to
understand and identify opportunities, root causes, and specific challenges. As part of a solution
to improve the chance of success for introduced
technologies, the research strategy proposed in
this paper suggests that we should combine
efforts of researchers (multiple disciplines),
decision makers, farmers and extension workers,
building on their knowledge, skill, and motivations when designing future approaches. The
proposed strategy, in a participatory approach,
includes baseline data collection intervention
selection, problem identification, designing
(planning), development of technology (technology testing), learning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and providing feedback.
Governance should continue providing technical
(access to training, experience sharing, awareness creation forums, information) and financial
(credit services, incentives) support to the local
community to take actions that sustain natural
resource management and thereby improve
agricultural production in northern Ethiopia.
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to UNUFLORES for the financial support for the first author to
present this paper in the Dresden Nexus Conference (17–
19 May 2017) in Germany. The support from UNU-INRA
and Aksum University (Ethiopia) during fieldwork,
development, and organization of this paper is also highly
appreciated.
References
Alemayehu F, Taha N, Nyssen J, Girma A, Zenebe A,
Behailu M, Deckers J, Poesen J (2009) The impacts of
watershed management on land use and land cover
dynamics in Eastern Tigray (Ethiopia). Resour Conserv Recycl 53:192–198
Alemu B, Kidane D (2014) The implication of integrated
watershed management for rehabilitation of degraded
lands: case study of Ethiopian highlands. J Agric
Biodivers Res 3(6):78–90
ATA-MOA (Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation
Agency (ATA)—Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)) (2014)
National Strategy for Ethiopia’s agricultural extension
system- vision, systemic bottlenecks and priority
interventions
Behailu M (2002) Assessment and optimisation of
traditional irrigation of vertisols in northern Ethiopia:
a case study at Gumselasa micro-dam using maize as
an indicator crop. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Gent,
Belgium
Benavides L, Avellán T, Caucci S, Hahn A, Kirschke S
(2019) Müller A (2019) Assessing sustainability of
wastewater management systems in a multi-scalar,
transdisciplinary manner in Latin America. Water 11
(2):249. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020249
Bishaw B (2001) Deforestation and land degradation on
the Ethiopian highlands: a strategy for physical
recovery. Paper presented at International Conference
on Contemporary Development Issues in Ethiopia,
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A. https://www.fao.org/
Opportunities and Challenges to Adopting Sustainable …
181
quantitative indicators and models can be used to
evaluate the performance of introduced watershed interventions.
4 Conclusions
Integrated watershed management interventions
such as SWC were designed as a strategy in
addressing the objectives of the nexus approach
(water–soil–waste–food
security)
through
increasing the ground and surface water availability, increasing vegetative biomass, reducing
soil erosion and flooding, and improving soil
fertility. Such impacts of watershed management
implemented for more than 2–3 decades have
contributed to the reduction of the water and food
insecurity in the Tigray region. This study confirms that watershed management interventions
have a key role in improving the land cover of
watersheds, decreasing soil erosion, increasing
soil moisture, reducing sedimentation and runoff,
stabilization of gullies and river banks, rehabilitation of degraded land, and increased recharge
in the subsurface water, thereby contributing to
poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods.
However, the results of previous projects have
revealed some variability in the extent of success
of watershed management interventions, which
suggests that there are differences in the motive
and capacities of the implementers and community. Even more, reports have revealed that
watershed management practices have not, or
only to a limited extent been adopted in parts of
Ethiopia, which demands further investigation to
understand and identify opportunities, root causes, and specific challenges. As part of a solution
to improve the chance of success for introduced
technologies, the research strategy proposed in
this paper suggests that we should combine
efforts of researchers (multiple disciplines),
decision makers, farmers and extension workers,
building on their knowledge, skill, and motivations when designing future approaches. The
proposed strategy, in a participatory approach,
includes baseline data collection intervention
selection, problem identification, designing
(planning), development of technology (technology testing), learning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and providing feedback.
Governance should continue providing technical
(access to training, experience sharing, awareness creation forums, information) and financial
(credit services, incentives) support to the local
community to take actions that sustain natural
resource management and thereby improve
agricultural production in northern Ethiopia.
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to UNUFLORES for the financial support for the first author to
present this paper in the Dresden Nexus Conference (17–
19 May 2017) in Germany. The support from UNU-INRA
and Aksum University (Ethiopia) during fieldwork,
development, and organization of this paper is also highly
appreciated.
References
Alemayehu F, Taha N, Nyssen J, Girma A, Zenebe A,
Behailu M, Deckers J, Poesen J (2009) The impacts of
watershed management on land use and land cover
dynamics in Eastern Tigray (Ethiopia). Resour Conserv Recycl 53:192–198
Alemu B, Kidane D (2014) The implication of integrated
watershed management for rehabilitation of degraded
lands: case study of Ethiopian highlands. J Agric
Biodivers Res 3(6):78–90
ATA-MOA (Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation
Agency (ATA)—Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)) (2014)
National Strategy for Ethiopia’s agricultural extension
system- vision, systemic bottlenecks and priority
interventions
Behailu M (2002) Assessment and optimisation of
traditional irrigation of vertisols in northern Ethiopia:
a case study at Gumselasa micro-dam using maize as
an indicator crop. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Gent,
Belgium
Benavides L, Avellán T, Caucci S, Hahn A, Kirschke S
(2019) Müller A (2019) Assessing sustainability of
wastewater management systems in a multi-scalar,
transdisciplinary manner in Latin America. Water 11
(2):249. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020249
Bishaw B (2001) Deforestation and land degradation on
the Ethiopian highlands: a strategy for physical
recovery. Paper presented at International Conference
on Contemporary Development Issues in Ethiopia,
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A. https://www.fao.org/
Opportunities and Challenges to Adopting Sustainable …
181