Integrated watershed management as an approach to sustainable land management (Experience of SARDP in East Gojam and south Wello)

Traditional soil tillage methods, continuous mono-cropping, overgrazing, and deforestation are direct causes of land degradation in ANRS. Every year more and more land is being lost, seriously affecting crop and livestock production and the economy of the farmers. These prblems are driven by economic, social and political forces, which are manifested in land tenure policy failures, lack of incentive for better individual behavior, population pressure and poverty. The main thrust of the developmental research were to develop, test and demonstrate an integrated methology for management of small agricultural watersheds in ANRS; and to create public awareness among the local communities, governmental agencies and research and extension institutions regarding the flexibility and site-specific nature of integrated watershed management. The methodology followed in implementing the watershed management was participatory (both bottom-up and top-down)approach. The farmer's knowledge and experiences were used for analysing problems, implementing appropriate strategies and evaluating results. Short-term training, on-the-job training of extension workers and farmers-to-farmers training were considered as the most important strategies for ensuring sustainable OFR programs in the region. The watershed project activities concentrated first on the land treatment. Development work has started at the top of the drainage basin and proceed gradually down the slope to the lowlands, Plenty of land management were directed toward minimizing the amount of runoff, water and soil the reaches the lowlands. The research has demonstrated that agricultural productivity in the fragile environment of ANRS can be sustained through appropriate integrated watershed management approach. Conservation technologies must meet two conditions: ecological effectiveness and economic effectiveness. Integrated watershed management requires a process approach (step-by-step approach), an interdisciplinary team approach, and bottom-up (participatory) and top-down technical wisdom approach.