LESSONS

1. Lessons Learned in the Past Four Years and Implementation Strategy in the Fifth Year SWHISA Watershed GroupAug. 05-06/2009Bahir Dar

2. LESSONS • SWHISA project activity implementation started since 2005. • Interventions are focusing on water harvesting, research and extension, watershed management and capacity building of partner institutions • However, the watershed component, due to different problems, could not move in the same pace until January 2008 when WME and SCE are employed and started working.

3. Lessons cont’d • The experience of the consultants in watershed management activities of the project is, therefore, one and half years old. • Within this period the major lesson learned: • Experience sharing tour has significantly changed the attitudes of the farmers and the experts to do a better job on implementation of watershed management from the start.

4. Lessons cont’d • Farmers training also contribute substantially to effect some of the development activities in enthusiasm • The applied participatory approach of the planning process created interest and sense of ownership among the communities. • Frequent visits to the woredas encouraged the experts and farmers activity implementation

5. Challenges Faced During the period • Woreda experts were busy with other activities that have delayed the preparation of the watershed development plan and other assignments. • Lack of explicitness of the role of SWHISA (at woreda level) in the watershed component • High staff turnover at woreda offices • BPR have affected some arrangements and activity schedules

6. Opportunities realized • Some woredas and experts were interested to work in the watershed planning, though they were engaged in timely woreda activities • The commitment shown by the community in terms of interest towards watershed development activities

7. 5th year watershed implementation strategies Implementation strategies are the following: • Provision of training to communities and experts on watershed management planning. • Conduct experience sharing tours to successful watershed sites in and outside the region for farmers, woreda cabinet, and experts.

8. Implementation strategies cont’d • Carry out participatory monitoring and evaluation on watershed activity implementation • Develop and apply community by-laws for the implementation of watershed development activities

9. Implementation strategies cont’d • Purchase and supply of forage and tree seeds required for the development work with some improved crop seeds and fruit tree seedlings for demonstration purpose • Purchase and supply of hand tools such as pick axe, shovel, crow bar, and sledge hammer etc. as per the plan for the development work. • Demonstrate fuel saving stoves and solar energy devices.

10. Implementation strategies cont’d • Provide financial support the construction of water harvesting schemes at household level as appeared in the watershed plan. • Assist woredas in obtaining resource from other organizations who are interested in implementing the development work

11. Implementation strategies cont’d • Focus on the treatment of Household water harvesting (HHWH) catchments with appropriate SWC measures • Create strong linkages among partner institutions and SWHISA including the management through workshops, regular meeting, discussions, and field visits

12. Implementation strategies cont’d • For different reasons SWHISA groups have not participated in the process of watershed management planning. • For sustainable development of the watershed, therefore, all groups should participate and contribute to the plan and implementation process as per their expertise.

13. Implementation strategies cont’d • Performance indicators can be collected through different measurement methods and observations such as field visits, direct measurement, beneficiary interviews, reports, and workshops. • From this, expected results and effects would be obtained and analyzed accordingly

14. THANK YOU!