Watershed Management: Effects and Problems, The Case of Meret Project in Kebelie-Chekorti Sub-Catchment, Kalu Woreda, Amhara Regional State
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2007-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Natural resource degrodation is a critical problem in the highlands of Ethiopia in eluding the
study area (kebelie-chekorti micro-catchment). In order to address this problem, the Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Development together with nOll-state actors like World Food
Program (food aid projects) have launched envirollmental rehabilitation programs usillg
food aid resources in different parts of Ethiopia including the study site for the last two
decades. However, there is a debate 0 11 possible effects of food aid projects in rural
development. This research, therefore, has attempted to assess the effect of MERET project
on some selected livelihood variables. III addition, watershed management problems were
also investigated in the study. In conducting th e study, formal. survey; focus group
discussion/PRA, key informants interview, laborotory analysis and review of secondary
literature were employed as major data collection method. The findings indicate that with the
aid of MERET project, moderate changes have been registered in the study sub-catchment. It
was found out that as a result of the intervention of the project (communal and farm land
conservation, alld gully rehabilitation activities), the availability of forage and fire wood has
gOlle up moderately. The study also revealed that the project contributed ill maximizing the
amount of food crop production, self and wage employment opportunity, and increosed
conservation awareness among the community. However, compared with the objective of the
project, the task of replicating model project sites into other near by degraded communal and
private farm land is at moderate level. As a result, the problem of land degradation and food
insecurity prevails in the study area. The research also indicates that wrong perception, lack
of awareness, tenure insecurity, short term needs, resource based conflict, and drought are
the major problems weakening the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the 011 going
watershed development in the micro-catchment. Th erefore, with the aid of development
projects like MERET, applying micro level watershed planning, pursuing illterdisciplinwy
and participatory approach, building up 011 indigenous knowledge system, addressing of
farmers priorities, ensuring of land tenure security and implementatioll of targeted systems is
the appropriate option to achieve the required rural development.
Description
Keywords
Watershed Management