The Best Practices of the
Coping With Drought and Climate Change Project
Kallu District of South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region Ethiopia
Success stories
Coping with Drought
UNDP Ethiopia Office
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
January 2013
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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................... iii
LIST OF ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................... iii
Chapter 1: BACKGROUND ................................................................................................... 1
1.1 General ................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Country Basic Data ................................................................................................. 1
1.2.1 Country context .................................................................................................. 2
1.2.2
National Development Strategies ................................................................... 2
1.2.3 Description of the District ................................................................................... 3
1.3 Relevance of the Project ......................................................................................... 4
Chapter 2: THE CwDCC PROJECT ......................................................................................... 5
2.1 Brief overview of the Project .................................................................................. 5
2.2 The Project Implementation ................................................................................... 5
2.3 Achievements of the Project................................................................................... 5
2.4 Project Sustainability ............................................................................................. 7
2.5 Lessons Learned ..................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3: BEST PRACTICES OF THE PROJECT ................................................................... 9
3.1 General ................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 What Make the Practices Best? .............................................................................. 9
3.3 Evidences that the Practices are Best ................................................................... 11
3.4 Which Practices are the Best? ............................................................................... 14
Chapter 4: KEY MESSAGES/RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................... 33
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................... 35
ANNEXES ........................................................................................................................... 36
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author would like to acknowledge and extend his heartfelt gratitude to those who helped
in the entire execution and the completion of the report. First and foremost, I would like to
thank the beneficiaries of the project for their kind responses during the interview and field
visits. The Author acknowledges the valuable guidance and support received from UNDP
Country Office and the Project Manager. Special thanks go to Ms Wubua Mekonnen UNDP
Program Analyst and Ms Sinkinesh Beyene UNDP CCV Team Leader for all round help and Ato
Kassahun Bedada, the Project Manager, for coordinating meetings. Many of the photos put in
this report are obtained from Ms Wubua. I also would like to thank Ms. Kidist for the facilitation
of admin issues.
LIST OF ACRONYMS
CC
CO2
CRGE
CwDCC
EA
EIAR
EPLUA
FDRE
GA
GDP
GHG
GTP
IPs
MoA
MoFED
NGOs
PMU
SWC
UNDP
USD
WFP
PSC
NSC
NC
-
Climate Change
Carbon Di Oxide
Climate Resilient Green Economy
Coping with Drought and Climate Change
Environmental Assessment
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
Environmental Protection Authority
Federal Democratic Republic Of Ethiopia
Gender Analysis
Gross Domestic Product
Green House Gases
Growth and Transformation Plan
Implementing Partners
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
Non-Governmental Organizations
Program Management Unit
Soil and water conservation
United Nations Development Program
United States Dollar
World Food Program of the United Nation
Project Steering Committee
National Steering Committee
National Coordinator
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Objectives and scopes of the documentation
The objective of this mission in Ethiopia is to review, synthesize and document best practices
in the implementation of the Coping with Drought and Climate Change Project (CwDCCP) in
Kallu District of Amhara Region. The document produced will be disseminated to regional and
in-country stakeholders and other organizations of same interest to share best practices and
make project developments based on the performance of the project.
Methods of data collection
This report is prepared based on the information collected from different stakeholders at
federal, District and community levels. The data collection comprised document review (from
UNDP Country office & project office) including reports, proposals, and stories prepared in the
area. A semi-structured interview was conducted at UNDP Country Office, and District Project
Manager and Steering Committee Members. Field observations were made to areas where
activities were implemented, and photographs were pictured during community interviews,
and more photos were collected from Ms. Wubua Mekonnen, GEF Program Analyst.
Document/report structure
The document starts with a General Background about the current trends in climate change
with short description, the national and district contexts and national strategies and the
relevance of the program in chapter 1. The brief of the project is dealt in chapter 2. The best
practices are discussed in chapter 3. The key messages/recommendations are presented in
chapter 4, followed by List of references and the annexure.
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Chapter 1: BACKGROUND
1.1 General
The resultant effects of climate change, extreme weather events combined with low capacity
to adapt to the adverse impacts have aggravated food security risks, in many parts of the
globe. As in many countries in the world, Ethiopia is vulnerable to climate variability and
change because large segments of its population, whose livelihoods are dependent on rainfall
sensitive agriculture and on income opportunities that are highly sensitive to weather, and
have low access to education, information, technology, and health services. They have low
adaptive capacity to deal with the consequences of climate variability and change. Climate
change places new and more challenging demands on agricultural productivity (crop and
livestock), where 80% of the population of the country and more of the community in Kallu
District of South Wollo, basically depend.
The livelihood of the community in the Kallu district had been highly challenged with scarcities
to deliver expected and historical responsibilities, mainly because of land degradation as a
result of drought and poor land management, poor agricultural practices and extravagancy in
good times. With these deficits the communities are suffering seasonal shocks and diachronic
disasters, demanding the involvement of external support.
The communities in Kallu, as is in many parts of the country, have been provided with supports
in the form of food supplies for months in the years, where otherwise physical supports were
very demanding. The UNDP/GEF supported CwDCC Project initiated in this context, was
implemented to help capacitate 6 Kebelle communities in Kallu district in the struggle to cope
with climate change and drought. To develop and pilot a range of effective community level
adaptation mechanisms for reducing the vulnerability of communities particularly women and
children, the project was implemented jointly by federal MoA/DRMFSS and UNDP/GEF. It has
supported the community, through varying project management methodologies and
innovative development activities. The implementation of the project was found successful,
and cited as learning in many aspects.
The UNDP is determined to upscale its contribution and impact on the policy dialogue in order
to help ensure that Ethiopia is well informed on the opportunities and challenges open to the
country in order to mitigate climate change induced impacts and adapt to climate change. This
document is, therefore, meant to serve the purpose through identifying the best practices and
make them shared.
1.2 Country Basic Data
In this section the basic country and district level data, including the national strategies related
to the project context are discussed briefly.
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1.2.1 Country context
Ethiopia is located in the Easter Africa, specifically at the horn. It is home of an estimated
population of more than 85 million, with a total surface area of 1,104,300 square kilometers.
Ethiopia is a country exercising federalism as the fundamental political system organized in 7
regional states and 2 city administrations/councils. The gross domestic product (in billion
current US$) in 2010 was estimated at 29.7, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita
(current US$) of 390 for the same year. The poverty index, population below national poverty
line, is estimated at 39% of population. The key economic activities shared to the agriculture
sector (which hosts more than 80% of the total population and 47.7% of GDP), the industry
sector (which is at an infant stage covers 24.3% of the GDP with manufacturing covers 5.2%)
and the service sector (which shares 30% of the GDP).
Ethiopia is a habitat for more than 120 threatened species with a forested area of 12.6% of land
area (2008 report). The 2007 estimated Carbon Di Oxide (CO2) emission (in thousands metric
tons) is 6,504 and metric tons per capita is 0.1, which will reach 400 million metric tons of CO2
equivalent in 2030 if the planned middle income economy is convened with traditional
development strategies. But, the government has launched a climate resilient green economy
strategy (CRGE), aiming to reach middle income economy before 2025, through reducing the
green house gas emission below the current level.
1.2.2 National Development Strategies
The country’s economy basically depends on natural resources (land and water), which are
highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Taking this into consideration at national
level, climate change is given due recognition by the government and potential response
measures have been mainstreamed into the overall development planning. The country has
ratified the three Rio Conventions namely: the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, Convention on Bio-diversity and its Cartagena
Protocol and the United Nations Conventions to Combat Desertification and Mitigate the
Effects of Drought.
With the vision of reaching middle income economy before 2025, Ethiopia has started
implementing a 5 year ambitious Growth & Transformation Plan (GTP), which also leads to the
evolvement of the CRGE strategy. The elements of the CRGE are basically designed to meet
country interests and are at the front desk of global initiatives The FDRE five-year GTP for
2010/11-2014/15 is supposed to directly address climate change and environment issues. The
program provide policy support which can play a constructive role in mainstreaming climate
change adaptation and mitigation options into the development plans, key sector policies and
strategies. The UN MDG elements including poverty eradication, sustainable economic growth
and environmental sustainability, in Ethiopia, are taken as the key pillars of development plans.
There is a national consensus and commitment in the government side that natural resources,
especially of land/soil, water, plant and animal diversity, renewable energy sources, climate
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change and ecosystems services are fundamental for improving livelihoods and achieving
sustainable development.
1.2.3 Description of the District
Location
Kalu District is found in South Wollo Zone, Amhara National Regional State in Ethiopia. It is
located at 11058’44’’ N latitude and 37041’48’’E longitude. Kombolicha is the capital of the
District and is situated at 376 km from Addis Ababa and 500 km from the regional capital,
BahirDar. Dessie zuria and Albiko in the West, Dessie zuria and Tehulederie in the North, Bati and
Argoba in the East and Oromia chefa in the South are boundaries of the District. It has 34 local
administrative communities, of these, 30 are rural and 4 are urban communities.
Population
The total human population of the district is 203768; the number of households in the district is
39187, where 7838 (20%) are female headed. Out of the total inhabitants 99% are followers of
Islam religion and the rest 1% are followers of other sects of Christianity.
Cropping system
Kalu District is endowed with diverse natural resource, with capacity to grow diverse annual
and perennial crops. Kalu is classified as one of the drought prone district in the region. The
dominant crops grown in the district are sorghum, teff, vegetables, moung bean, haricot bean,
chickpea, and maize during the wet and belg seasons.
Altitude, rainfall and temperature
The elevation/altitude of the district ranges from 1400 to 1850 m above sea level. The district
ecology is classified as Weina-Dega (64%), Dega (19%) and Kola (17%). The mean annual
rainfall ranges from 500 mm to 1200 mm. Farmers depend on Meher and Belg season rain for
crop production. The average yearly minimum and maximum temperature are 12oc and 28oc.
Land use pattern
The total land area of the District is 87523 hectare. The land use pattern of the District is known
to be cultivated land 27454 ha, grazing land (937 ha), Forest and Bush land (51614) ha, and
building and settlement constitute (3786) ha.
Means of Livelihoods
The wealth status of the community in the District is 17% very poor, 31% poor, 36% medium
and 16% rich (2010 data). The income source of the community is mainly crop production
followed by livestock production and small percentage of labor wage, petty trade, weaver and
local drink trading. In addition to this, they plant vegetables by irrigation and grow pulse crops
on dry season.
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1.3 Relevance of the Project
The FDRE Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy is aimed to protect the country
from the adverse effects of climate change and to build a green economy that will help realize
its ambition of reaching middle income status. The major focus of the strategy is improving the
agriculture sector through making it natural and environmentally friendly. The CwDCCP was
designed with due consideration of the national adaptation plan of action, from which the
CRGE was designed, and therefore, it is a direct action on the climate change
adaptation/mitigation efforts of the country.
The rural communities in Kallu District of the Amhara Region have urgent needs to plan and
manage the cyclic drought and understand drought risks for better preparedness. There were
needs to develop adaptation approaches which are then addressed in the country’s political
development strategies. The impacts of drought and climate change had cost lives and sought
for external handouts. Actions against such events were found unparalleled, and highly
important, where the CwDCC project activities were to mention. The project activities, in this
way, were identified with the full consent of the community and relevant stakeholders. This
has helped to select the best suitable actions, which made the project very worthy to core
problems of the community, and made the project a direct action on the specific core
problems of the target.
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Chapter 2: THE CwDCC PROJECT
The brief overview of the CwDCCP, problems it addresses and activities accomplished thereon,
are discussed here under.
2.1
Brief overview of the Project
The CwDCC project was designed and implemented to develop and pilot a range of effective
community level coping mechanisms for reducing the vulnerability of farmers particularly
women and children in Kallu District. The project had the goal to assist Ethiopia to adapt to the
long-term adverse effects of climate change. The GEF/UNDP supported Copping with Drought
and Climate change project was implemented from May 2010 and run to March 2013. It was
implemented by the Ethiopian MoA/DRMFSS, with the financial support from GEFUNDP.
2.2
The Project Implementation
The CwDCC project was implemented as a pilot in Kalu District of South Wollo Zone, Amhara
Region in six communities (Kebelle 04, 016, 017, 018, 031 and 032). The direct beneficiaries of
the project were 41,421 people (21,991 male and 19,430 female), at 9289 households ((8,011
male and 1,278 female), but the total number of beneficiaries including indirect beneficiaries
reached more than 100,000. The district staffs and district offices were also beneficiaries of
the project through building their capacities over project management skills.
The Ethiopian Government, at District and Federal level, and UNDP were the major
implementers of the project. At district level, sector offices including district administration,
office of agriculture, office of water resources, office of environmental protection, kombolcha
meteorology directorate, and office of cooperatives were the prime implementers of the
project. The PMU at kombolcha and the DRMFSS kombolcha warehouse office were leading
and coordinating the project. The UNDP country office, (with program analyst and team
leader) and Regional Office as well as DRMFSS (the National Project Coordinator) had
technically and managerially supported the implementation of the project.
The Kebelle government structure and different community based committees, which were
established by the project, had managed the project activities at community level. The
selection of beneficiaries, the implementation of bylaws, and related activities were timely
managed by the project based committees and anything beyond the capacity of these
structures were solved by the Kebelle administration. These committees are still working to
ensure the sustained use of project outcomes.
2.3
Achievements of the Project
The project had adopted technologies that were helping farmers to cope with climate
variability and change through adaptation, mitigation and greater resilience of production
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systems. In doing so it had introduced improved crop varieties and production technologies to
cope with the threats of drought, heat stress and other climate change implications. There
were also actions for technologies to improve water productivity through conveying river
water to inaccessible areas and adopting water harvesting techniques, halt land degradation
and combat desertification, (e.g. soil and water conservation) and better rangeland
management practices. Detail report is attached as annex.
The performance of the project was praised by the implementers and project visitors. The
successes of the project were meant to the mammoth commitment of project
implementers and the project owners (Project manager, UNDP Ethiopia CO, the
Regional Technical Adviser, DRMFSS, and the district steering committee). The successes
are analyzed across the previous situation, the responses, results and evidences, as
briefed below.
Situation: Kallu district of South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region is known to suffer from
drought and climate change induced food shortage, water shortage, flooding and
related challenges, where the CwDCC target communities were examples. The erratic
and unreliable rainfall distribution has costed the rural communities more. In the past
times people used to cope by consuming their long time accumulated assets. This forced
the people to be out of assets and migrate or got starved if the drought or worst
condition persists longer.
Response: The UNDP/GEF supported coping with drought and climate change project
was implemented at Kallu district as pilot to support the poor communities to cope with
drought and climate change. In the 3 years project period different activities including
crop production through provision of improved crop seeds over rainfed and irrigation,
asset creation activities through the provision of sheep and goat raring and beehives
promotion, flood protection by training Felana Rriver and saving agricultural lands and
other activities as coping mechanism, were accomplished. The capacity building
component of the project along with climate change mitigation measures such as
community based natural resources management and environmental protection
activities were also implemented. The project has helped more than 100,000 (nearly
41,000 direct and others indirect) beneficiaries and government offices.
Results: The communities in the 6 communities of kallu district are able to increase their
income by many folds. Many of the beneficiaries have created assets that helped them
in coping with shocks during fragile conditions and drought. Feedback from the Kebelle
in the community was overwhelmingly positive. Participants of the project are now
much better than they used to be and have developed confidence that they will never
give up resisting shocks in worst conditions related to drought and climate change. They
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have created assets, and got skill in mitigating and adapting drought and climate change
impacts.
Evidence: Representative beneficiaries and district level steering committee members
were interviewed to evidence the performance of the project activities. They all ranked
the accomplishments as the best they ever had. Different visitors from UNDP and other
organizations have praised the achievements of the project.
2.4
Project Sustainability
There are indications that major program elements will have a sustainable impact. The policy
support provided by the project can play a constructive role in mainstreaming climate change
adaptation and mitigation options into the development plans, key sector policies and
strategies. The best-fit program activities in addressing the target beneficiaries’ core problems
has convinced and motivated the beneficiaries to participate actively in the program execution
and the people were fully engaged in the project implementation and in self-development
efforts, which created ownership. The quality of the activities and the benefits gained there on
have also attracted the attention of many more people. Some elements of the project are
naturally long lasting and brought impacting results, and will be poised within the community.
Beneficiaries have witnessed that they have got the techniques along with the systems, and
confirmed they will not be going back to the history they used to exercise before the project.
These are evidences of sustainability of the project.
2.5
Lessons Learned
Many of the project accomplishments are learning and needs to be scaled up to other
beneficiaries. The lessons include:






Inter and intra project sites experience sharing visits of community members are means
to sharing best practices.
Introducing early maturing and high yielding crop varieties are good coping
mechanisms for climate change and drought,.
Forage and tree plants and gully rehabilitation by gabions and sacks on selected
watersheds had good performance and are also integrated.
The integration of watershed development activities is appreciable. In the watersheds
crops, vegetables and fruits, livestock’s, water harvesting, physical and biological soil
and water conservation activities were integrated, and helped the watersheds reclaim
shortly.
The irrigation capacity of the target area was increased by much more hectares, which
was possible through the construction of gully crossings structures, provision of pedal
and wing pumps and water storage tankers.
Provision of sheep, goats and bee colonies as asset creation mechanism, and the in kind
returning/revolving fund system is a good lesson for sustainable agricultural
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
production. Sheep, goat, honey bee and forage productions are also a means to adapt
climate change and drought by increasing productivity and income of vulnerable
farmers.
A regular and systematic early warning data collection, analysis,
feedback/dissemination modality at district and site level, between office of
Agriculture, kombolcha meteorology and the communities at large, are important tools
to strengthen the early warning information communication and decision (drought and
climate change) at all levels to increase agricultural productivity.
The integration of partners in all activities of the project has helped the proper
implementation of the project activities.
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Chapter 3: BEST PRACTICES OF THE PROJECT
3.1 General
UNDP highly promotes and supports knowledge transfers within and outside target areas. For
this purpose best practices from successful projects were supposed to be identified and
documented, and shared among needy areas. The selections of the best practices are based on
clearly defined criterion and have relevance for the intended purposes. The CwDCCP is proved
that the activities were implemented to the anticipated quality and have met objectives set.
The best activities are identified and the best practices selected for the purpose of scaling up.
3.2 What Make the Practices Best?
As pointed out by Ms Alessandra Tisot (Country Director, UNDP Ethiopia), in the CwDCC
Project documentary, the UNDP uses data in an approach where data, research and analysis
are matched with the best approaches and seeks that practices be applicable and replicable
with minimum investment. She also stresses that technologies be clear, affordable and
replicable. UNDP has developed basic criteria or guiding principles that can be used when
identifying best practices. The best practices within the CwDCC Project were evaluated and
selected based on these idioms.
The CwDCC project activities were best because:
The activities/practices were found methodologically new and/or at least modified to suit
local needs. This has helped the implementers to move in the best and successful direction
during the course of the implementation of the project activities. As example, the project
driven district level steering committee was stronger than ever had. Sector offices were
committed to embed project activities into the regular sectoral programs and were fully
committed of accomplishments. This has a methodological implication to inducing policy
changes. The activities, such as the introduction and promotion of the Early Warning System
were new at least to the target communities, and had helped farmers to forecast the weather
conditions, and helped decide on upcoming agronomic practices. Others such as the
provision of small animals were methodologically modified to suit local contexts and
encourage beneficiaries. These techniques are best to replicate or scale up.
The way the watershed were protected and the impacts brought are significant. The training
of the Felana river (where Kebelle 031 and 032 are part), has impacted the lives of many. The
benefits brought to many beneficiaries through the introduction of improved crop seeds, the
improvement in the health of the communities because of the development/protection of
springs as water sources have impacted the lives of many people. Flood control, improved
forage, improve soil fertility, improve crop harvest (income) contributed for the restoration
of lost flora, income from bee keeping , improved livestock income as a result of improved
feed, improved ecological condition etc are also the additional benefits. The activities under
taken in the promotion of water harvesting and safe use of water resources have also
boomed the adaptive capacity of many more people in the impact communities. These
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accomplishments and the modalities of the implementation have benefited the community
and taught many insiders and outsiders to think of similar activities.
The activities were drawn from the ultimate needs of the community, and the
implementation modality has helped to act on the demanding areas of the community. The
communities were also part of project design and implementation, which had made them
think the project as their own. These have created ownership and hoped to last longer.
Therefore, the issue of sustainability on many activities would not be a further concern.
The activities were not sophisticated and complex which demand higher level knowledge
and skill. The modalities were easy to be exercised by local experts and the local community.
Therefore, all activities along with their implementation modalities could be replicated to
anywhere else.
The project activities were in many cases designed to address the problems of many
beneficiaries. The small ruminants, improved crop seeds, bee colonies were designed to
serve many more households at one go of a support. The five goats/sheep given to one
household are designed to serve other households through the designed pass over/transfer
system. The community based watersheds management activities are serving the entire
community adjacent to the watersheds. Other elements of the project have also similar
effects.
The project has built the adaptive capacity of the community, especially the poorest of the
poor, women and girls. The communities have got experiences of enjoying their rights. This
has been proved through various discussions with different sectors of these groups. This has
helped these sects to enjoy their rights, and helped to be able to cope with drought and
climate change.
During the design and implementation of the program, all community members including
women and girls were participated. This has helped to address the most vulnerable sectors of
the community, and had created dialogue among the project communities and sector
government offices. The participation of the government bodies at district and national
levels was of significant and had created dialogue at these levels. The project practices had
paid special attention to women and the poor, with a special attention and appropriate
sound community participation and organizations, information sharing, dissemination and
awareness building adapted to the specific situation of the beneficiaries. People have got the
experience of voicing their conditions.
The project information including the project proposal document, presentations, progress
reports, and pictures at different stages of the project implementation are documented
properly. The project had commissioned a documentation mission and the main
accomplishments have been documented. Different visitors from overseas and the project
personnel have also developed different stories as Fast Facts. This document is also part of
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the same purpose. Therefore, all aspects of the project activities are well documented and
are ready for dissemination.
3.3 Evidences that the Practices are Best:
The good performance of the project has been testified by different community groups,
including outsiders. The activities have been seen as learning, it is because they are impacting
the livelihoods of the community, and are shared between different practitioners. The
evidence of the community, were sufficient but for the sake of documenting the practices the
witnesses from other groups are also included.
Testimony from the community - Fatima Abdu
“We are supported with other elements of the program, but that of the goat support is not
paralleled. We are confident that we have created assets, and will parallel the ability that other
people around are able in improving own livelihood. Had the support stopped for any reason, we
will keep going better and better. There is no reason for going back to poverty. Now we are trying
to escape poverty and will keep going up and up. Thanks to the Derk mekuakuam (Coping with
Drought Project), we are now free and capable to serve ourselves”. Fatima witnessed.
UNDP witness
The UNDP CO has published more than 5 fast facts on the performance of the project dictating
the impacts the project has brought to the target beneficiaries. All have put that the activities
are to be scaled up to other areas.
Evidences from Government of Ethiopia
Mr. Mathewos Hunde, DRMFS Director at the FDRE MoA, has expressed his heartfelt thanks to
UNDP-CO for the ecellent performance in bringing good success, and particularly Ms. Wubua
Mekonnen (for she has been quite instrumental in making the project so successful and
become popular at global level (Back to office report, Dec 2012).
Evidences during International forums
The Doha COP 18 – C&D and APD Conference
The project was selected for presentation at the Doha 2 days Adaptation Practitioners Days
(APD). As pointed out in the proceeding of the Climate & Development Days and APD days,
the APD was held as a new event aimed to bring together pioneers of adaptation to share
experiences of climate-resilient development in action, and address the question “what is
adaptation in practice?”. The experiences shared as lessons learned were from more than 10
years of innovative adaptation financing through the funds established under the UNFCCC. As
reported by Mr. Mathewos who presented the CwDCC Project lessons, the experiences from
the project were praised and well accepted by many participants.
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GEF witness
As dealt above, GEF has documented and shared the project achievements. Furthermore GEF
facilitated the research work of Ms. Laura and conducted her field research in the project site.
Furthermore, GEF secretariat has chosen the project as a show case for the international
conference CoP 18, at Doha, Qatar during December 2-4. 2012. The project achievement was
presented to the international participants. The project best practices have received
appreciation and acknowledged to replicate the Best practices in their countries (Eg. Ghana
UNDP office).
The Dakar Conference
The project was presented at a conference in Dakar, Senegal in November 2012. The
experiences of the project presented by Ms Sinkinesh Beyene (CCV team Leader at the UNDP
Ethiopia CO), was well accepted by the participants. The questions forwarded were basically
aimed on the clarification and proof of the success of the project. The issue of sustainability,
the points of effectiveness & efficiency questioned as proofs were indications that the
practices have attracted the interests of the audience.
UNDP Regional staff from Africa
As part of the annual field trips within the Coping with Drought and Climate Change Projects
among the implementing Countries (Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia),
experience sharing visit was held to Ethiopian to learn the experience of the Project. The
visitors from Mozambique, Kenya, and Zimbabwe were impressed with the success of the
project. Ms. Aletta Nenguke from Zimbabwe Environmental Management Agency, Leonard
Unganal from Zimbabwe CwDCC Project, Jacob Kimanthi from Mozambique CwDCCP and
Shalim Shabahim from the project in Kenya have appreciated the project performance
specifically the level of participation and commitment the community and government offices
took, the cooperation between different partners and specific activities such as
implementations of the community based watershed management, the revolving fund and the
rainwater harvesting. These are testimonies that proved the success of the project and there
were best practices where visitors were able to learn.
Study tours to the project site
Upon informed of the good performance of the project, Oxfam America requested to learn
from the CWD success. Workshop and field visit were organized by the institute at the project
site, and workshop participants from Oxfam America and 29 different partners had visited the
project implementation. They were able to learn the project implementation strategy from the
presentations by Ms. Wubua Mekonnen (GEF Program Analyst), and Mr Legesse Gelaw (the
Former Program Manager). They had also field trips to take a look at the practical
implementation of the project activities. Almost all agreed that the project has best practices
which they were able to learn and replicate. At the closing session of the learning event the
director of Oxfam America had tanked the UNDP Ethiopia country office for availing the
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opportunity for its live learning event. He had expressed his sincere appreciation to the project
achievements on the ground, on behalf of himself and the participants from Oxfam America
regional office (Boston) and Ethiopia.
The author’s independent testimony
This documentation of the best practices of the project was started with a discussion with the
program analyst Ms. Wubua and the team leader Ms. Sinkinesh. They strictly advised to look
into details to confirm that the activities under the project were really best. I have visited the
area before a year and testified the performance of the project. This time, though the area is
hit by drought and many crops were damaged, there were differences in the community
feelings this time and previously. Many have the confidence that they will be adapting the
drought hazard to an extent they did not used to do.
The story that Fatima Abdu (Kebele 018) was heard testifying, not going back to the former
history was so good to hear. The health impacts brought due to the project, as witnessed by a
farmer in Kebele 32 were right to applaud. Ms Se’ada at woraba village in kebelle 32, has learnt
that the people in her village are on the way to escape from what she doesn’t want to live with.
A farmer who does not have livestock, but is part of the watershed where the CwDCC was
working, has enjoyed 450 birr from a sale of the grass harvested from the share from the
protected watershed. The Felana River is still well trained to follow its natural route and
agricultural lands are now covered with crops and grasses. Experts and officials from
government offices have testified that the performance of the project was at more than 85%
(Demeke and Ansha from the district office of agriculture are examples).
Therefore, the author feels that the project management was exceptional, and can be
transferred to other areas. But the author also feels that the staff turnover at the government
offices, especially office heads, is a treat to ensure the sustainability of the project, and a clear
exit strategy be devised and set in place.
13
3.4 Which Practices are the Best?
The best practices of the Project, as identified from field visits, reports and interviews are
sorted based on the criteria set on the UNDP’s monitoring and Evaluation for results guide.
Accordingly, the following practices are identified for a replication and scale up. The practices
selected as best include the project management, the provision of small animals and improved
crop varieties, the watershed management, the early warning system, the flood protection,
irrigation development, the integrated pest management and the water supply. These
practices were evaluated based on UNDP criterion, as discussed above, and the evaluation
summary, with selected rarings, is presented as below.
Summary evaluation of the selected Best Practices
General
remark
Best
Innovation
Practice/Indicator
Simple
Reliable
Sustainable
Program
management
Woreda Steering
Committee, Project
management unit
were well organized
and all sectors
embed project
activities into sector
plans.
Project activities
were selected with
sound participation
of the beneficiaries.
The project
management
was
organized
with existing
structures and
was simple to
form, and
manage.
The program
management
is sustainable,
though there
are risks
related to
staff turnover.
Best …?
Provision of small
animals
The entire system is
not new, but the
way the system was
managed was new
to the area and had
impacted better.
The system is
simple, but
the financial
requirement
needs better
funding.
Since all
relevant
sectors were
part of the
management,
and all
activities are
entirely
included as
part of regular
objectives, the
management
is reliable.
The revolving
system is
impacting
many
beneficiaries in
a reliable way.
Best
Improved crop and
horticultural seeds
The entire system is
not new, but the
way the system was
managed and the
suitability of the
varieties were new
to the area and had
The system is
simple, but
the financial
requirement
needs better
funding.
The revolving
system is
impacting
many
beneficiaries in
a reliable way.
The system
has rooted
into the needs
of the
community
and is
sustainable
The system
has rooted
into the needs
of the
community
and is
sustainable
14
Very good
Best
Innovation
Practice/Indicator
The Early Warning
System
Watershed
development
Irrigation
development
Water supply
Flood protection
Integrated Pest
Management
impacted better.
The EWS was
entirely innovated
by the project
Though the system
is not new the way
it has been
managed is
innovative.
Though the system
is not new the way
it has been
managed is
innovative.
System, community
participation.
The system was
entirely innovated
by the project
Though the system
is not new the way
it has been
managed is
innovative.
General
remark
Simple
Reliable
Sustainable
The
household
rain gauge is
simple but the
by remote
sensing data
weather
forecast and
analysis need
skill.
The system is
reliable, but
needs timely
update and
trainings.
Very good
Very simple
Very reliable
Very simple
Very reliable
Yes …?
Yes
The system
might not
continue since
the
equipments
are not locally
made, but are
very cheap
and can be
bought by the
gov’t.
Very
sustainable
but needs
very minimal
support.
Very
sustainable
but needs
very minimal
support.
Yes
Not simple
and needs
external
support
Very simple
The system is
reliable
Yes
Best
Very reliable
Very
sustainable
but needs
very minimal
support.
Best
The detailed description of the best practices is discussed as below.
15
Very good
Very good
Very Good
3.4.1 The Project management
The project was managed across two levels. At the federal level it was managed by by the
Director and Deputy Director, - mandated to manage the project on areas demanding policy
issues. A national project coordinator was assigned and worked in ensuring proper
implementation of policy issues, and other national level activities. The major part of the
project implementation was mandated at district and community levels.
At district level, the implementation of the project was led by a steering committee chaired by
District Administrator and the CwDCC project manager served as the secretariat. Other
members were Office of Agriculture, Water Resources Office, Kombolcha Meteorology
Directorate, and Cooperatives’ Office. The committee took the overall management of the
project, and worked to ensure that drought mitigation and preparedness measures were in
place. The sector offices were determined to embed project activities in the sectoral regular
plans and were also determined to be accountable if they fail to address. The commitment of
the project managers in pushed forward and frequently reminding offices was praised by the
steering committee. The district steering committees met monthly, but each office used to
evaluate the project activities at least weekly. If there is any challenge, issues had been raised
at the steering committee meetings and get solved. The committee members had field visits
to communities and monitored project implementation and assisted better performance of the
project.
The way the committee was organized,
mobilized and the commitment each specific
office took has helped the project become
successful. This level of commitment is very
rare, and can teach others.
Due to the late launching of the project with a
multiple of activities implemented within a
short duration, the UNDP-CO (specially the
Program Analyst) was determined to exert all
what could be, and was able to make the
project successful. She had worked closely
with the project managers and made intensive
follow
up
through
daily
telephone
communication with the different partners,
regular IP (implementing partners) visit at
federal level and quarterly field visit for technical backstopping. Problems, which were
hindering some activities, were solved through the visits from the UNDP CO. The intensive
follow up, was praised by the project manager, and had helped to enhance management
performance.
16
The government cabinet structure at kebelle level, which is chaired by the kebelle
administrator, was committed to manage the project activities. Each sector at the district level
does have delegates, which is run by elected farmers. This cabinet was the manager of the
project activities. In addition, the office of agriculture has assigned three Development Agents
(DAs) at each kebelle. These DAs in the target communities had worked with the project
activities, with backstopping from the project manager and the district experts. The DAs had
monitored
the
daily
project
activities
accomplishments and they frequently met for
bimonthly evaluation of the project implementation.
The DAs had regular meetings with the kebelle
administration and the entire cabinet at the spot.
These times they discussed the entire
implementation of the project and solved problems.
Challenges beyond the kebelle capacity were
referred to district and solved timely.
Different community based committees (water
users associations, IPM groups, environmental
management committee, seed supply and
marketing
cooperatives,
irrigation
users
associations, groups, etc) were formed and worked
on different sectors of the project. These structures
were actively taking their roles in managing the project activities. The selection of
beneficiaries, the implementation of bylaws, and related activities were timely managed by
the committees and anything beyond the capacity of these structures were solved by the
kebelle administration. These committees were working and could ensure the sustained use of
project outcomes.
The project had also worked in coordination with other sectors such as the Wollo University,
Bako Agricultural Mechanization Center, Sirinka Drylands Agricultural Research Center,
Kombolcha Technical & Vocational Training College, Kombolcha Pests Surveillance and
Research Center and the federal EIAR. These institutions have also contributed to the
performance of the project. Sharing research and study results data, which was archived from
university and research centers, has helped the project to include new thinking and techniques.
3.4.2 Provision of small animals
The provision of sheep and goat was considered as an asset creation mechanism for those who
are the poorest of the poor. The project adopted an existing modality with intensive
implementation of the systems taken on, in the support for small animals. Before the
promotion and/or distribution of livestock as asset creation mechanism a modality on the term
of promotion and terms of distribution, (for sustained use of the resources) was adopted and
approved by the district steering committee, and agreed with the project beneficiaries.
17
The steering committee decided and implemented that 5 sheep or 5 goats given to one
household as 1st level beneficiary and the first level beneficiary to pass 5 new born female
shoats (at the age of 6 months) to the second level beneficiary, who were having queue to
receive. Another interesting issue in this sector was the mode of procurement of the animals,
where the first level beneficiaries were the lead actors in selecting the animal from the local
markets. A procurement committee consisting of livestock expert, advised the beneficiary to
select the best animal, and approved for health and related issues. These beneficiaries were
informed of for whom to pass the first offspring of the support/animal, and the next
beneficiary knows from whom she/he will be receiving new born animals.
The district agriculture and cooperatives offices were responsible on the implementation of
the system with strong back up from the steering committee and the Project Management
Unit. The first level beneficiaries were trained by livestock and cooperatives experts, and the
next level beneficiaries had got experiences of the shoat management from the preceding
beneficiaries.
In line with this animal feed and seedlings of palatable trees were supported at the delivery of
the first animals, which was supposed to ease proper management of the animals. Almost all
of the 1st level beneficiaries and many second level beneficiaries have already passed the first
born to the succeeding level beneficiaries. The beneficiaries were in good position to cope with
the impacts of the recurrent drought and climate change and improved their livelihoods.
Through this support the beneficiaries were feeling confident and were ready to face
challenges that could be created by climate change.
“The
succeeding
beneficiaries, do not have
hesitation
to
properly
manage the sheep they will
be
getting
from
the
preceding beneficiaries, and
properly pass the first born of
the shoat to the the next
level
beneficiary.
The
potential beneficiaries are
learning the knowledge and
skills of shoat management
from preceding beneficiaries,
and they are confident that
they will deliver all best
management practices and
will manage better to get
much benefit out of the
shoats.
The succeeding beneficiary
family members are also
aware that they will be
receiving shoat from others,
and asked family heads on
when they will own the
animals. This has sparked an
enthusiasm in their family to
deal well in managing the
assets created by the
project.”
Ato
Demeke,
Livestock expert at the
district office of agriculture,
said.
18
For the sake of proper management, the shoats were labeled with an identification tag. As well
animal feed and seedling were supported to ease proper management of the animals, and the
beneficiaries were learnt on the proper management. The commitment of all partners to
effectively manage the procedures, to raise the awareness of the beneficiaries and the
transparency had contributed to the success of this sect of the project. This activity was well
managed, and had attracted the interest of many visitors.
Fatima Abdu (kebelle 018), liked to speak her impression about the support the family got. “We
are supported with other elements of the program, but that of the goat support is not paralleled.
We have created assets, and we are confident will parallel the ability that other people around are
able in improving livelihood. Had the support stopped for any reason, we will keep going better
and better. There is no reason for going back to poorness. Now we are trying to escape poverty
and will keep going up and up. Thanks to the Derk mekuakuam (Coping with Drought), we are
now free and capable to serve our selves”.
19
3.4.3 Improved seeds provision
Crop production is the major means of livelihoods of the communities in Kallu district, and but
has been highly hit by recurrent drought and climate change. As an adaptive strategy,
improving crop productivity was identified as a major target in the coping with drought and
climate change project. The activities identified in the sector were supply of drought
resistance, high yielding and short season crops, boosting of crop productivity through the
adoption of water accessing strategies, etc.
The project has supported beneficiaries with provision of drought resistant, high yielding and
early maturing varieties of cereals and pulses seeds, purchased from the nearby agricultural
research center. Before the promotion and/or distribution of the seeds for potential users, a
modality on the term of promotion and terms of distribution was adopted and approved by the
district steering committee. The selection of the beneficiaries, the procurement process and
the management of the support were well dealt during successive meetings of the committee.
It was decided that the first level beneficiaries to be provided with the seeds upon revolving
fund system. The first level beneficiaries were expected to return what they have been
supported to second level beneficiaries after the first harvest, most likely after a year of
support. This was supposed to help more beneficiaries and to develop farmers’ ownership of
the activities, which all beneficiaries were agreed on the system.
20
The district office of cooperatives and office of agriculture were responsible on the
implementation of the system with strong back up from the steering committee and PMU
staff. The first level beneficiaries were trained on crop management and agronomic practices
by district experts, and the next level beneficiaries were trained and got experiences from the
preceding beneficiaries. This way, the project has motivated farmers and gained the full
commitment of the farmers in practicing all required agronomic practices. This has helped the
farmers to enjoy the fruits from the activities and the project.
The crop stand of the improved teff, chick pea and mong bean had attracted the attention of
many farmers, including indirect beneficiaries. Other visiting farmers and experts had also
praised of the performance of the improve seeds.
The farmers enjoyed a productivity increase of nearly 22% for sorghum to about 100% for teff
with other crops in between these figures. Almost all beneficiary farmers had got extraordinary
benefits following the provision of the seeds and the technical support from the project and
the district office of agriculture. In this manner farmers were able to feed their family with their
own and created assets that could be used to support the food security condition.
21
Rice was for the first time introduced in the Chefa valley. This was considered as a good
alternative for coping with drought and climate change. The introduction of NERICA 2 & 4 (rice),
from Fogera, had added capacity to the farmers to escape from drought and climate change
impacts.
3.4.4The Early warning system
Drought has been seriously affecting the district community, virtually because of the poor early
warning system in place. There was a mechanical analysis of hydrologic and agronomic data and
slow & unreliable communication of the information. This has costed many lives for
decades/centuries. The former early warning information collection and analysis system was
non-scientific, based on only qualitative information from the events happening, without
prediction from the remotely sensed meteorological data. The slow and multi-tiered
information communication was so weakly organized and lengthy which results in information
distortion, resulting in failure to act accordingly.
A first ever intervention for many and the entire community in Kallu district, the promotion of
the early warning system development was illusive and educative. The office of agriculture and
the Kombolcha Meteorology Directorate were supported in full to make them able to collect
data, make forecasts and analysis. The CwDCC project assisted early warning system in Kallu
district, is well organized, well defined with clear responsibilities of all actors and very reliable.
22
“This is a dramatic shift of technology for the farmers, early warning team of Kalu district
agriculture office, and Kombolcha meteorology branch office. The data collection
mechanisms are so simple, the analysis mechanism is well organized, and the use of the
analysis results by farmers is as simple as any agricultural activity. Therefore, there will be no
gap in information communication and no information distortion. This, hopefully, will
sustainably help the farmers to act successfully to get themselves ready for all conditions.
The low cost and simplified early warning technologies shall in any circumstance be
replicated to other areas and do get multiplication.” Rahmet - Head, Office of Agriculture.
Early warning data are collected periodically from the communities and analysis conducted at
community and district EW team. Data collected from household rain gauges are periodically
analyzed at community level by the farmers, and data from ordinary rain gauges and
thermometer are collected by development agents and analyzed by EW team at district level,
where the results are sent back to communities for decision making. Remotely sensed data are
collected from satellite sources, where National Meteorology Agency took the lead, and
analysis made at kombolcha meteorology office. The kombolcha meteorology office reports the
analysis results to the EW team, where the results are sent to communities. In this manner
regular and systematic data collection, analysis, feedback, dissemination modalities were
created at district and site level, through the support of the Project.
This has helped experts to work very closely and produce dependable agricultural forecast
results and clear communication system. In turn this has helped farmers to have reliable and
timely information and proper communication from which they could decide on what to do and
when. In cases of good times they are getting prepared for good agricultural practices, and in
23
predictions of bad seasons they get prepared for the upcoming hardships. For the bad seasons
they could be looking for coping mechanisms.
3.4.5CB Natural resources management
Land and ecosystem management practices, like slowing down run-off, building water storage
structures in catchment areas, planting tree species that promote the growth of other plants,
and diversified agro-forestry practices that help maintain vegetation cover can help lessen the
harsher consequences of dry periods. Such practices can also minify the impacts of drought by
sustaining and safeguarding the benefits that ecosystems provide.
The CwDCC Project has supported the management of 6 small watersheds at 4 Communities.
The management of watersheds is not new to farmers in south Wollo, and many had similar
management modalities, but the way the CwDCC supported watersheds was interesting. The
difference is the commitment the community and government offices took, in making them
effective. All beneficiaries and the respective offices were encouraged through different
capacity building activities, and were committed to manage the watersheds at the standard
required, which resulted in the success of the management of the project. This commitment,
frequent support and the integration of the different elements has come up with this fruition,
and can be taken as a lesson.
The project has accomplished a wide range of community based watershed management
activities six watersheds in the six project communities. The watersheds were demarcated, and
management plans prepared for all of them separately. Employing the management plan
different biophysical soil and water conservation activities have been implemented/
constructed. For this purpose planning teams were formed and trained on the preparation and
24
implementation of watershed management activities. In addition soil and water conservation
technicians were selected from the beneficiaries and trained to lead the technical
implementation of the biophysical conservation activities. This has helped the project perform
well and once degraded areas are now seen reclaimed.
The major activities accomplished in the watersheds include establishment and support of
forage and tree seedling producing nurseries, construction of physical soil and water
conservation techniques, and trainings to the watershed management committees. The
watersheds were managed by the committee over the developed and agreed local laws.
Different results, as witnessed by the beneficiaries, development agents and district officials
have been obtained. These include the increase in the discharge capacity of springs and rivers,
the development of forage grasses from formerly degraded lands, the reduction in floods and
increase in the moisture availability of cultivable lands and related ones. With these
advantages the farmers are enjoying an increase in the productivity of crops through the
improvement of soil moisture conservation and reduced erosion. As well they are able to have
well managed animals with which the sales of livestock have been improved and the
agricultural performance of the animals has helped them to increase in the income of the
families. The proper management of watershed through the adoption of different activities is
known to serve as mitigation mechanism for climate change.
25
Among the 6 watersheds, the performance of the FiyelAmba watershed found in
Community 032, which was closed last year and protected same year was witnessed by a
beneficiary farmers. Mr Nurye Seid, 40 and a head of 6 family was herding his stock near
the FiyelAmba watershed. The story he talked us started from January 2012. “This
catchment was closed and protected starting from the mid of last year (in Ethiopian
Calendar). As you can see, there is big difference between this catchment and the others
there in front of us. The FiyelAmba watershed was closed, and physical soil and water
conservation activities such as terraces, planting pits and similar structures constructed. Then
during the onset of the rainy season, different tree seedlings were planted, as you can see are
still struggling with the prolonged drought. Now the grass is unbelievable grown taller than
recent years, reminding us former times (before 20 years)”.
The watersheds are managed by the community in a participatory way. There are turns for
each user and are keeping from interference of roaming animals and human. If a person fails to
overcome its responsibility, he/she will be punished. If one is not able to keep his/her animals
away, and was found violating the protection rules, then will be forced to pay per animal. If the
violation is repeated for more days, he will be socially discriminated. Due to these bylaws all
people are keen to avoid any violation of protecting the watershed. The watersheds are
protected as one unit but the people are getting grass from the watershed, which was divided
among the beneficiaries. A single farmer is now able to harvest two small heaps of grass from
specific plots. One person from the community, who don’t have animal, was able to sell two
small heaps at 450 birr in 2012. This is a big profit, which will subsidize the family income.
26
3.4.6 Irrigation development
As in many areas in the world and specifically in Ethiopia, Kallu district is experiencing
increased rainfall variability and an increase in average temperatures. Rainfall periodically
declines, which means there is less water in rivers and it will take longer to recharge
groundwater aquifers. Even if the total precipitation may not decrease, most of the time it all
fall within a shorter period of time and annual dry spells are longer, higher temperatures
increase the amount of water plants require for growth demanding to store more water. This is
a response to increased climate variability due to CC. Therefore there is a need to store water
in wet periods for use in dry periods, and saved use of the available water.
Water storage and proper use are tested options for adaptation investments in agricultural
water storage, and management can significantly lessen poor people’s vulnerability to climate
change by reducing water related risks and creating buffers against unforeseen changes in
rainfall and water availability. The project critically assesses different storage types in the light
of CC risks, through detailed inventories/field surveys. The construction of gully crossing
structures, water harvesting ponds, the provision of wing & pedal pumps, and the provision of
water storage and application materials was conducted in response to such demands. Different
improved cereal crop and vegetable seeds and fruit seedlings were supplied by the project.
Upon these supports the beneficiary farmers are transforming their family from food handout
users to self reliance.
The district is an area where the nature of the rainfall could not be predictable. The annual
rainfall in many cases is sufficient for agricultural production, but the distribution is so torrential
that without harvesting could not support crop production. Through the support from the
project, upon harvesting the farmers were able to supplement the rainfed crops and exercise
full irrigation cropping. The water harvesting ponds were lined with geo-membrane plastics to
reduce seepage loss. The supports had helped farmers to produce two to three times a year,
27
and in some cases to supplement rainfed cropping. This has improved annual income by many
folds.
Gully crossing structures/flumes were constructed at 2 communities to convey water from one
area to another command area to ease supplementary and complete cycle irrigation of field
and horticultural crops. The construction of the flumes with full support from the CwDCC has
increased more crop land through irrigation and more farmers were able to produce more
crops. This directly boosts the incomes of the community, and helped them adapt drought and
climate change. Where properly managed, the increase in the production area of agricultural
field had help adapt drought and climate change. The crop residues were used as livestock
feeds and increase the fertility of the soil, which further nourishes the soil for future
production. These all have helped farmers get better products from the crop and animals
products are enhanced adaptive capacity to climate variability.
‘’Before the supports we get from the project, my family was in need of food supply from
different government initiated relief based activities. I had ample cultivable land but only
when the rainfall showed dependable distribution that I was able to feed my family a
maximum for 6 months’’, Ali told with regret. “In worst years where there was no reliable
rainfall or no rain at all, I was forced to cut all my livestock assets for food supply and
remain so destitute. But with the thankful support of the CwDCC project in availing
improved cereal seeds and fruit & vegetable seedlings, the provision of material supports
for the gully crossing structures, and the technical supports”, he added, “we are able to
produce more from cereals and horticultural activities”.
28
3.4.7 Spring development for water supply
The project has supported the construction/protection of 6 springs, for domestic water supply.
The construction sites were selected by the community and water supply experts from the
district office of water and energy. After discussion with the community the protection and
development of the springs was held upon deciding on the types and sizes of related
structures. All the springs do have at least 5 structures (the eye protection cape, the night
storage and the distribution box, as major elements of the scheme, and cattle trough and wash
basin for supply of clean water for livestock and for easing sanitation for the community).
Water management committees (a 5 people committee where women are part) are working
on the overall management of the scheme and on enforcement of the bylaws developed by the
Kebelle and water care takers are in charge of the technical maintenance and repair of the
water point. All users are paying monthly water users’ fee, where the collected money is used
for guards salaries and maintenance costs. The care takers are provided with maintenance
tools with full fledged training on the operation and maintenance of the schemes. The water
management committee members have also got skills in managing similar projects.
Due to the development of the water point, the water fetching time has been reduced by an
average of 5 times, and women have got ample time to work on other businesses in supporting
their family; the health of the households have been improved; students are able to attend
schools owing to the improvement in their health, and reduced in labor demand from the
family, owing to the availability of time for their mothers; and conflicts due to water use have
been reduced.
The benefits gained from the clean water sources were praised by the beneficiaries. Here
are some witnesses, from the water users of the Harew-Abugoro water point in Kebelle
031. Mr. Arebu, the chairman of the water management committee at the Harew-Abugoro
water point has listed out the benefits they gained. “The people have no words to thank the
UNDP for having our village got clean water. The spring has long been serving the
community but was not safe for drinking. Children were most of the time getting sick and
dropping from schools due to illness, where now they are healthy and able to attend
29
complete schools. Women were late to serve the household due to time constraint spent for
fetching water. Now they are leading the household activities on their own program, and the
family got satisfied of the services”.
“Due to the protection and development of the spring in our village the time elapsed for
water fetching has been reduced by 2 and half hours per trip, which we are able to work on
other activities. Misunderstandings among water users’ which used to be sources of
conflicts has now totally avoided. The health of kids has been dramatically improved,
which help them to attend schools.” Fatima Ahmed, member of the water management
committee detailed the advantages she is enjoying due to the construction of the spring in
their village.
3.4.8Flood protection
One of the global impacts of climate change is flooding, due to torrential rainfall. In Kallu
district, around 530 ha of land at Kebelle 32 and 31 was previously damaged by flood coming
from the highlands/upstream of the Felana River. Each rainy season had contributed large and
small size boulders. The boulders and massive small gravel were deposited at the level land in
woraba village and many farmers were forced to abandon farming. Previously, many efforts
were exerted by the district office of agriculture to train the river, but come up with no
solutions. The time the CwDCC Project came to the area, a request was initiated from the
kebelle community.
The project made detail investigation through sound participation of the community, and
designed the activities there on and after approval the community were organized to work on
the protection work. Material support was entirely covered by the project. The support
includes the coordination of the community, provision of gabion and sack for the construction
of the protection structures. Based on recommendations the protection work was performed,
30
which now perfectly saves the land Therefore, it was possible to manage it successfully. The
land is protected from floods, deposition, and reclaimed back to agricultural use.
At this time the remains of the deposition were almost covered by grass and the land is
serving as cultivation and grazing area. This has helped the community to get larger land for
crop production and grazing land. Upon the cultivation of crops and the grazing of animals
from the reclaimed lands, farmers are able to increase their family income. The system the
project employed, the efforts exerted and overall flood protection management systems are
learning and can be replicated.
After the river was trained to follow the former route, farmers like Ayalew were able to come
back to their farm for cropping and grazing. Ayalew is expecting 3000 birr from the sale of the
sugarcane that he planted last year after the flood protection structure was constructed. He is
planning to have more income to be added to his family from the anticipated sale of the
sugarcane. “This year and in the coming times we have got and expect more feed for animals
from the grazing land”, Ayalew said, hoping more benefits from the animals he owns.
3.4.9Integrated Pest Management
Although the specific impacts of climate change on plant disease are difficult to predict given
the current knowledge, there are generalized predictions that climate change increases pest
and disease incidences. There are also reports of difficulties in using fungicide and bactericide
with increased CO2, moisture, and temperature. These all make pest control a complicated
business.
In such circumstances, bio-pest control methods are hoped to have significant importance in
the prevention and control of pests. The CwDCC beneficiary farmers in Kallu district were
organized in IPM groups who are entitled to work on experimenting IPM techniques, selecting
plants for bio-pest control, and adopting bio-pest control application methods, with supports
from office of agriculture and kombolcha pest surveillance and study center.
31
The groups were supplied with all necessary experimenting tools, and safety & spraying
equipments, and are producing botanical pest control liquids from different plants and animal
urine. They were able to apply on their fields and helped other farmers to use these methods.
This has helped farmers to reduce crop losses due to pests and diseases, they reduced
expenses for artificial pest control methods and saved the life of the bee colony they owns
(which otherwise would have died of because of pollution due to chemical sprays on flowers of
fruits and vegetables where the bee are feeding). Other farmers in the Kebelle are also
benefiting from the bio-pest control techniques.
The Project manager was hoping that the team will be doing miracles. “The groups in all the
communities were interested on what they are doing and were proactive on what they were
told to do so. I know this sector is the area which should further be researched. If the group are
supported and encouraged to continue with the current pace, they will do a miracle. I guess they
will surprise researchers of the sector.” He explained.
32
Chapter 4: KEY MESSAGES/RECOMMENDATIONS
The following key messages/recommendations are made, for replication of project
accomplishments.
4.1 General recommendations
The following recommendations are made.
 Compilation and translation into local language of documents developed
within and for the project, specifically training documents, is important
 A longer story telling documentary (either in the form of power point movie
or in the form of video documentary) shall be produced and availed for
learning purposes.
 The staff turnover, within government offices specifically office heads, will
have a negative significance in the overall accomplishment history of the
project, which literally will be reflected on missions during project post
evaluation visits. This treat could be mitigated through the development of a
proper phase out strategy, clearly addressing specific responsibilities,
clearing of pending assignments and delineation of future roles and
responsibilities.
 The synergy with other own and similar projects would bring the wholeness
in project designing. This could be possible through the integration of specific
projects with other projects. As an example the inclusion of other techniques
such as solar electrification, mud brick housing, fodder bank establishment
(implemented in the Afar Drylands Development Project), would be
important for a climate change mitigation and adaptation project, but upon
proper investigation.
 The support of capacity building activities specially experience sharing and
new techniques is good to keep up,
4.2 Gender Analysis
Gender analysis is a key issue in development programs. The CWDCCP has set the activity plan
in a gender disaggregated manner. The monitoring of project activities has proved that the
participation of males and females was found at a variable figure. Women actively participated
in some activities, weakly organized in other activities. Though gender audit results were not
as such discouraging owing to the cultural imposition, the attention given appears to be not
focused, and needs further gender empowerment activities. Therefore, gender analysis and
gender mainstreaming, on other projects of similar nature, is crucial.
33
4.3 Environmental Assessment
Naturally the project is ecologically well suited. But some activities such as river training, small
scale irrigation, water harvesting and spring protection works have negative environmental
impacts, if implemented without due care. In addition, some activities are attention grabbing
in their nature, where environmental impacts are significant. Therefore, it is felt that these
issues should be addressed before the beginning of implementation of program activities. This
would include the preparation of programmatic environmental assessment and development
of environmental mitigation and monitoring plans for effective monitoring during the
implementation of activities.
4.4 Sustainability
An important issue in thinking sustainability is the development of an exit planning/strategy.
Though the sustainability issue within the CwDCC Project is risk-free, there is the need to
develop an exit strategy, which will include building the capacity of project implementers and
the completion of unfinished assignments. The staff turnover from government offices
specifically office heads is a treat to the sustainability of the project. Therefore, a well designed
exit strategy will have paramount importance in ensuring the sustainability of the project.
34
REFERENCES
CWDCCP, 2010 – 2012. Different training documents (Soil and water conservation
techniques; Community mobilization; Basic skill training; etc). Kombolcha
(unpublished and not compiled as one).
CWDCCP, 2010 – 2012. Different Basic Project Documents (Project Agreement
Document, Redesigned AWP docs, Progress reports, Presentation, etc).
Kombolcha (unpublished documents).
UNDP 2002. Handbook of Monitoring and Evaluation for Results.
Eynden V., Corti L., Woollard M., Bishop L., and Horton L., 2011. Managing and Sharing
Data . Best Practice for Researchers. UK Data Archive, University of Essex,
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ
Liniger, H.P., R. Mekdaschi Studer, C. Hauert and M. Gurtner. 2011. Sustainable Land
Management in Practice – Guidelines and Best Practices for Sub-Saharan Africa.
TerrAfrica, World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies
(WOCAT) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
FAO (No Date). Gender and Dryland Management: Gender Roles in Transformation:
Gender and Population Division Sustainable Development Department; Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. www.fao.org/sd or
www.fao.org/gender (online on November 2012).
IIED, 2008. Climate Change & Drylands. International Institute for Environmental
Development. Commission on Climate Change and Development.
www.ccdcommission.org (Online on November 2012).
Ragnar Ø., Trond V., & Jens A. 1999. Good Practices in Drylands Management. The
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/ The World Bank, 1818 HStreet, NW, Washington DC, 20433, U.S.A.
WHO, 2008. Guide for Documenting and Sharing “Best Practices” in Health Programmes,
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville
35
ANNEXES
1. Annex 1: Individuals Consulted
2. Annex 2: The Project and Accomplishments
3. Annex 3: Terms of Reference (ToR)
People participated in the discussions and interviewed
S.
Name
of Organization
Mobile
No participant
Wubua Mekonnen
UNDP
Program 0930000357
1
2
Sinknesh Beyene
3
4
Kassahun Bedada
Hussien Endris
Yimer Aragaw
Sinidu Ahmed
Teyiba Ahmed
Fatima Abdu
Zemuye Abdu
Lubaba Seid Muhe
Demeke Gezahegn
Ansha Ali
Mesfin Kassa
Kassahun Alebachew
Embyte Wubtaye
Arebu Seid
Fatima Ahmed
Halima Muhe
Nurye Seid
Zewde Arga
Ayalew
Ali Seid
Seid Ahmed
Email
Wubua.mekonnen@undp.or
g
Analyst
Sinknesh.beyene@undp.org
UNDP CCV Team 0911216463
Leader
PM – Kombolcha
Farmer KA 032
Farmer 032
Feamle Farmer KA 032
Female Farmer KA 018
Female Farmer
KA 018
Femal Teenager
KA 018
Female Farmer
KA 018
Livestock Expert , OoA
0921 292063
Team Leader, OoA
0914 739588
Head, OoA
0914 716636
Irrigation Expert, OoA
0913 886820
Metreology,
Kombolcha
Farmer
KA 031
Female Farmer
KA 031
Female Farmer
KA 031
Farmer
032
Female Farmer
KA 04
Farmer
KA032
Farmer
032
Farmer
04
36
Remar
k