Learning Brief: Modern Irrigation Technologies

LEARNING BRIEF: ENHANCING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RESILIENCE October 2018

Improved Agronomic Practices for resilience building: Modern Irrigation Technologies

1. Summary

Ethiopia’ since November 2015. The project focuses CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire (CST) are the Catholic on the most pressing poverty concerns and longer development and humanitarian organisations term climate change challenges in Tigray. from England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, The Northern regional state of Tigray respectively. All three organisations have worked exhibits one of the highest overall poverty in Ethiopia with partners since the mid-1970s rates (31.8%) and food poverty rates at 37.1%i. and together in a joint country programme since Increasing temperature and declining rainfall has 2009. CST works with national NGOs under its exacerbated Tigray’s vulnerability to drought, land Women’s Empowerment and Resilient Communities degradation, overgrazing and deforestation, and programmes. water pollution. The calamities of increased climate CST has been implementing a three year DFID UK Aid variability and change have had adverse impacts on Match (UKAM) funded resilience project entitled the local communities’ livelihoods. Environmental ‘Enhancing Climate Change and Adaptation and problems such as loss of biodiversity and ecosystem Disaster Resilience in Rural Communities of Northern services are already taking place. Food insecurity, Adigrat Dioceses Catholic Secretariat IMPROVED AGRONOMIC PRACTICESE USE

outbreaks of water borne and respiratory diseases organization indicates that rural communities in associated with droughts indicate the exceptional Erob and Gulomukada can solely fulfil three months vulnerability of the region to drought. of their food needs through their own income As such, the programme aims to increase production source. and productivity, diversify production and income opportunities, improve year round access to safe and clean water, improve sanitation and hygiene practices, and protect and rehabilitate natural resources.

The project is implemented through a consortium of three Ethiopian local non-governmental organizations, namely Adigrat Dioceses Catholic Secretariat- Adigrat Branch (ECC-SADCO Ad), Adigrat Dioceses Catholic Secretariat-Mekelle Branch (ECCSADCO, ADCS-M) and Relief Society of Tigray (REST) are implemented in sixteen ‘Tabias’ (sub-districts) in five ‘Weredas’ (districts), the projects aim to benefit 17,078 households, of which, 4430 are female headed households with land, 2307 female headed landless households and 2755 male headed landless households. The programme will also have 45297 indirect beneficiaries of which 21653 are female headed households.

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In order to overcome the aforementioned vulnerabilities and calamities, ECC-SDCO, ADSCSAdigrat is implementing this project in two drought prone districts –Erob and Gulomekeda- located in Eastern Tigray. 1856 poor and vulnerable households in seven ‘Tabias’ (sub-districts)-Agerelokma, Alitena, Haraze and Endamosa, Sebeya, Feredashum and Hayelom- are expected to benefit from this project which seeks to increase and diversify productivity and income .

One of the major strategies employed by the project to build resilience of the communities, was to capacitate households with new skills and knowledge on improved agronomic practices such as modern irrigation infrastructures. These techniques will enable vulnerable communities to increase and diversify their productions, productivity and consequentially, their income.

Project Context and Background

This learning brief presents the outcomes of improved agronomic practices using modern irrigation techniques so as to enhance climate change adaptation and disaster resilience. The project was implemented by CST and the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat- Social and Development Commission Adigrat Diocese Catholic SecretariatAdigrat Branch (ECC-SDCO, ADCS-Adigrat).

The calamities of increased climate variability and change in Northern Ethiopia have made adverse impacts particularly on households’ livelihood and living conditions. Food insecurity, outbreaks of water borne and respiratory diseases associated with droughts have resulted in malnutrition. Men and women in Tigray region exhibit the lowest mean body mass index at 19.0 and 19.8 respectively in Ethiopiaii. A household survey conducted by the Adigrat Dioceses Catholic Secretariat IMPROVED AGRONOMIC PRACTICESE USE

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Key Activities

Various activities have been undertaken in Erob and Gulomekeda Woredas to vulnerable household’s food and income security, and strengthen their resilience and adaptation to climate extremes.

A. Adopting Improved Agronomic Practices The project has successfully managed to build new irrigation infrastructures, which has a capacity of irrigating 60.8 hectares of land benefiting 357 households. The infrastructure has solar powered pump (which is eco-friendly), reservoirs and canals.

These provisions have been complemented by skills and knowledge development trainings on agronomic and improved irrigation practices. Construction of deep wells have enabled farmers to access alternative sources of water. These activities have enabled targeted households to adopt improved irrigation practices.

The following project implementation approaches are being applied. • Integrated response mechanism: The primary implementing local partner is ADSCAdigrat but local government administration, community based associations and microfinance institutions were involved in the project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and takeover of completed project activities.

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IMPROVED AGRONOMIC PRACTICESE USE

• Participatory and Needs Based Intervention: Consultations were held with seven project peasant associations which included 140 household heads, local government, and influential people to identify their strategic needs.

• Inclusivity: the project ensured that often marginalized groups of society are included in its programs. Hence, household heads living with HIV/AIDS were included.

• Transparent Selection of Beneficiaries: A bottom up and integrated selection approach was devised to ensure transparency.

Furthermore, the project set clear selection parameters.

• Complaint Handling Mechanism: Although no complaints have been lodged during the project implementation, complaint handling mechanisms were established at the local administration office of each village, who are bestowed with the mandate to handle complaints, resolve disputes and respond to discontented project participants.

“I used towater my fruits and vegetables using water I fetch from hand dug wells. However, the well dried out and so did the fruits and vegetables. I suffered a lot, as I didn’t have any source of income. The cereal we produce in the rainy season is entirely consumed by the family within three months.”

Pic: Mezegebe with his new irrigated farm

C. Capacity Building Trainings B. Agricultural Input Supply

i. Improved Agronomic practices Basic 200 farmers in Erob and Gulomekeda were also provided with capacity building trainings focused on improved agronomic practices and management of irrigation infrastructures. The training covered a range of topics that explored agro-ecology, crop Mezgebe Gebretsadik, a 70-years-old father of six, protection, soil fertility, irrigation systems, irrigation who is currently engaged in improved irrigation water utilization and management, and optimum practices narrates his previous experience in the water utilization in detail. following words: The trainings were tailored to the local contexts of the households and hence enabled participants to deliberate on how best they can utilize their existing resources-technical and intellectual-to improve their agronomic practices and yield increased productivity.

Perennial fruit seedlings have been given to 221 Households (of which 60 are female headed) who have currently planted the seedlings on 50.5 hectares of land that is under irrigation.

Due to the small number of participants included in each round of training, and the convenience of the timing and venue for farmers, participants actively participated, and exchanged ideas.

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Mehari Hagos, 30 year old father of two describes ii. Other capacity building trainings Trainings which focused climate change adaptation how the improved irrigation practices changed his and mitigation mechanisms, improved livestock life. feed management, irrigation infrastructure “Rainfed agriculture is very difficult in an area affected rehabilitation and management, soil and water by recurrent drought. The rain fall is too low, it starts late conservation techniques and early warning systems and ends quickly. Hence, our annual production is very were also given to project participants. low. It only covers three months of our fooddemand.

D. Rehabilitation of Natural Resources Efforts aimed at mitigating long term climate change challenges require conservation and rehabilitation of existing natural resources. Hence, project participants engaged in treatment and rehabilitation of upper catchments, which has a direct impact on improving ground water discharge of the deep wells.

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Impact and Achievements

A. Increasing Income and Household Food Security Engendering improved irrigation practices component of the programme succeeded in enabling 357 household farmers to start and benefit from their own improved irrigation practices. Consequently, participants were able to plant various types of vegetables, perennial fruits and cereal crops.

The first round of harvest has enabled participants to gain a total income of 517,513 ETB. This has greatly improved households’ income, and subsequently their food security and nutrition. Moreover, project participants have become able to meet the costs of their other basic amenities.

However, now, thanks to our supporters we are endowed with improved irrigation technologies. We now have deep wells, and irrigation water structures with all the required complementary equipment. We’ve been trained on how to improve our agricultural practices.

They also provided us with seeds and fruit seedlings.

It is very motivating. I have planted different types of vegetables. I am able to produce during dry seasons.

We use the vegetables for household consumption, and my family’s feeding habit has improved. From my harvests I earn a total of 10200 ETB. Such income has allowed me to buy food and clothing for my family, and buy sheep which I will rear.

B. Income Diversification Household heads who participated in the projects have also been able to diversify their livelihoods, increase their off-farm income and develop stronger resilience to income shocks resulting from reduced agricultural production.

Planting indigenous grass species along the conture lines has increased all year round availability of fresh fodder gathered through cut and carry system.

In sum, participating farmers were able to earn 108,000 ETB worth of maize forage.

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D. Reducing Out-Migration Ma-Aro Abdu, a single mother of one describes how Provision of irrigated farm lands to landless youth, she has diversified her income. and Increased availability of water has allowed landless youth to engage in bench terracing.

“In addition to improved agricultural produce, I’ve been Furthermore, cash for work jobs were availed to able to engage in livestock rearing because I plant young people during the construction of irrigation grass along the couture lines of my farm. I am now able infrastructures. These activities have reduced the to feed my cows green fodder. This has enabled me to economic strains that often lead young people get 2-3 litters of milk daily. Before the project, due to the to migrate out of the region, and increase their scarcity of livestock feed, no none was motivated to rear vulnerability to being victims of human trafficking. cows or oxen. “ E. Engendering sustainability through local management Local irrigation water user committees have been established with the aim ensuring sustainability of the irrigation infrastructures. The committee members have also been provided with capacity building trainings. The committee has enacted bylaws which regulate utilization of water resources.

Local ownership and management of of the irrigation infrastructure has proved to be beneficial in boosting local community’s morale, and motivation.

5. Challenges • Water scarcity: recurrent drought is limiting the scope of irrigated farm lands that can be availed to additional interested local community.

Pic: Ma-aro cutting fresh grass for her livestock

C. Behavioural Change • Transformers: the problem of transformer Beneficiaries of the improved agronomic practice is a crucial factor for lifting water from Assabol programme also report that they are witnessing Micro dam to irrigation reservoirs and then to behavioural change in themselves and their the newly created command area distributed community. They report that their work habits, and for landless youth households. feeding consumption has changed. Household consumption of milk and dairy products has increased due to increased availability of fodder and 6. Learning forage.

• Positive Changes in Livelihoods: Adopting new and improved agronomic Witnessing the benefits of improved irrigation practices, as evidenced by the outcomes of the practices members of their community are also project significantly enhances households’ motivated to engage in irrigation practices. food security, nutritional status, and income Adigrat Dioceses Catholic Secretariat IMPROVED AGRONOMIC PRACTICESE USE

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security and diversification. This deepens their resilience to climate change and disasters.

• Increased societal awareness of the benefit of improved agronomic practices: The local community who have observed the positive changes in the lives of the households who practice improved agronomic practices to overcome food and income security. The modern irrigation infrastructures, drilled deep wells and solar powered generates have improved adaptation capacity to climate change.

consequentially contribute to the sustainability of the project. Moreover, the committee will also ensure close supervision of the functionality of the infrastructures, and proper utilization of water resources.

Trócaire. (2014). ‘Feeling the heat: How climate change is driving extreme weather to the developing world’.

Ireland: Trócaire. i

FDRE Central Statistics Agency. (2017). Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016, pg. 213 ii

• Building Local Capacity: The various trainings given to project participants have increased their skills and knowledges of improved agronomic practices, gain improved agricultural yield, enhance productivity, and assess mechanisms through which they can diversify their risk mitigation strategies.

• Increased social ownership of the programme: Ensuring integrated development and humanitarian intervention whereby all stakeholders are consulted in project design and implementation has fostered communal ownership of the project. This contributes to sustainability of the project.

• Reduces vulnerability to migrant smuggling and human trafficking: Providing households with improved irrigation facilities and newly created farm lands reduces the economic imperative that often leads landless youth to out-migrate under precarious conditions.

7. Sustainability Establishment of a local management committee fosters increased sense of local ownership and management of the irrigation infrastructure which Adigrat Dioceses Catholic Secretariat

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