Socio Economic and Environmental Role of Integrated Watershed Management Projects: Evidence from Ziway Lake Sub Watershed, Dugda Woreda, Oromiya National Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2023-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In Ethiopia, one of the main environmental and socioeconomic problems is land degradation. Numerous watershed-based soil and water conservation (SWC) initiatives have been implemented nationwide, including in the Or Omiya region , in order to address this issue. Although the SWC interventions using watershed approach were undertaken at wider scale and intensity, the role of the practices for socioeconomic and environmental are not sufficiently explored. Therefore, the objective of the study socioeconomic and environmental role of integrated watershed management project in Ziway Lake sub-watershed, Dugda Woreda of Oromiya Region. The study employed a mixed research method using qualitative and quantitative. A survey of 140 households produced the quantitative data, and field observation, nine key informants, and eight focus group discussions (consisting of 10 participants, 5 males and 5 females each) produced the qualitative data. As part of integrated watershed development and management projects, the majority of respondents (95%) used physical and biological soil and water conservation practices, according to an analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data. The study showed that the interventions improved the socioeconomic and environmental situation in the study sites. Results of the study also indicated that the income of the households was higher as compared to their previous livelihood. In terms of the environmental roles of integrated watershed development and management projects data results indicated the improvement of agriculturally productivity, increased animal feed as well as positive environment change through planting trees, soil conservation, and increase of surface water harvesting that in turn used for small scale irrigation. Accumulation of soil behind soil bond on farmland was also observed. Thus, in carrying out an integrated program for the development and management of watersheds, entities like the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy, the Ministry of Agricultural Office, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must increase the scope of this type of project practice and promote a quicker and more widespread adoption of methods for conserving soil and water.
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households, roles of watershed development, biological and physical soil and water conservation structure, socio-economic and the environment