Watershed Management Adoption and Socio-Ecological-Livelihood Implications in the Upper Gibe Basin, South West Highland of Ethiopia
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Watershed degradation is the greatest challenge in the highlands of Ethiopia, promoting interests
in the intervention of watershed based management approach to avert land degradation and to
enhance people’s livelihoods. Given this strategy, a wide range of watershed management
programs have been implemented in different parts of Ethiopia for several years to solve the
problems. However, the effects of watershed management program have not been well examined
and documented. To this end, the objective of this study was to explore the state of watershed
management program and people’s psycho-social conditions, participation and adoption of the
watershed management practices and to investigate the effects of the management program on
socio-ecological and livelihood in Rebu watershed of the upper Gibe basin, southwest Ethiopia.
To address these, a total of 304 sample households (145 program participants and 159 nonparticipant households) were randomly selected from three program participant and three
counterfactual sub- watersheds across various topographic settings. Household survey, key
informant interviews, focus group discussions and personal transect observations were employed
to collect data. A wide range of data analysis tools employed such as descriptive statistics,
logistic regression, multivariate and ordered probit model and propensity score matching
method. Results of state- of the -art indicated that although, watershed development program has
become the primary objective of the policy and development plans of the country and there are
strong efforts in the implementation, the emphasis still stresses on the attainment of economic
growth rather than environmental concern. Top-down approach of planning the watershed
development is still dominating. Empirical results of study indicated that local communities were
well aware of the problems of watershed degradation and outcome of mitigation measures
despite its variation in different topographic settings and for watershed program participants.
Exposed stone, gullies and rills and tree root exposure were major indicators of soil erosion,
while crop yield decline and soil cultivability decline were for diminishing soil quality.
Cultivation of steeper slopes, deforestation and poor land management practices were perceived
by farmers as the major causes of watershed degradation. The ecological benefits were perceived
higher in the upper topographic areas, while the socio economic benefits were in the middle and
lower areas. The overall community participation index value of 43.4 % showed moderate levels
of participation. Soil bund, grass strip cultivation with soil bund and compost were the
major watershed management practices adopted. Estimates of the propensity score matching
indicated that the existence of a positive additional significant livelihood assets value of 24.8 %
for program participants compared to non-participants suggesting the need of up scaling the
program in to the areas not covered. There is also a positive association between important
components of watershed management-perception, participation, adoption and livelihoods.
Various physical, socio economic and institutional factors affects the perception, community
participation, adoption of watershed management. Hence, policy makers and planners need to
recognize heterogeneity in households’ socio economic and topographic specific characteristics
in watershed management. It also suggested more participatory and integrated approach need to
be encouraged to upscale and sustaining of watershed management.
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Keywords
watershed management program; perception; participation; adoption; livelihood impacts; Rebu watershed, upper Gibe basin, southwest Ethiopia