Post on 28-Dec-2015
Water for a food-secure world
Teklu Erkossa (PhD)Researcher, Land and Water Resources
International Water Management Institute, Regional office for East Africa and Nile Basin
Some Lessons from Previous Activities in Diga District and Suggested Interventions
Introduction Diga Farming systems:
Mixed rainfed agriculture Maize based single cropping
is dominates (Erkossa et al., 2009)Major crops: Maize,
Sorghum, Tef, Finger millet, Niger seed and Sesame
Livestock: Cattle, Sheep, Equine, Poultry
Crop management practices Intercropping- commonly practiced
Maize + Haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Maize +pumpkin (Cucurbite maxima),
Maize+ Cabbage (Birassica oleracea),
Maize + Dinnicha Oromoo (Coleus edulis)
Crop Rotation: often between cereals Legumes discouraged by wild
animals? Shifting cultivation is still practiced
Major Livelihood and Challenges across Landscape
Landsca
pe
position
Altitude
range (m
a.s.l)
Mean annual
rainfall (mm)
Major crops Major Challenges
Upper Higher
than 2001
1,376 to 2,037
tef, finger
millet, niger
seed ,sorghum
Demographic pressure,
deforestation, overgrazing,
soil erosion, soil fertility
depletion, termites, water
and land scarcity, inefficient
irrigation scheme, lack of
water storage systems
High rate of deforestation
Soil acidity
Middle 1451-2000 maize,
sorghum,
sesame, finger
millet
Lower Less than
1450
maize,
sorghum,
sesame, finger
millet
Agricultural land and water productivity is low
Crop yield is often less than 2 tons ha-1
Livestock feed shortage Livestock disease Widespread soil acidity Termite infestation and land
degradation have become a severe constraint
Crop type and Management Effect
Soil Erosion EffectSediment loss during the season Financial cost to the farmers
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
Dapo Chekorsa
Sedi
men
t lo
ss (
kgha
-1)
Objectives Increase productivity
through systems intensification
Conserve/regenerate natural resource base
Slightly differing focuses based on altitude: Middle (Badadaree) Lower (Gammoojjii)
Guddisaa + Arjo for this year?
Proposed interventions 2014
Proposed interventions 2014A. Upper (Guddisa)
1. Flat areas: Enhance productivity of
the maize based systemSuggested improvements
Maize -Legume- intercropping +Improved Variety and Management
Proposed interventions 2014
Improved Variety (Maize, Legume)
Row planting Rational use of Fertilizers (DAP,
Urea, compost, FYM)Legume: Haricot bean or field
pea 2. Slopping areas: Same as
above + Soil and Water Conservation Practices (bunds) + fodder trees on bunds
Proposed interventions for 2014B. Lower (Arjo)1. Crop land
Improved variety maize +Legume
Soil and Water Conservation + improved crop management as above + fodder trees on bunds
2. Grazing land Soil bund/infiltration trench +
Improved pasture Stabilize bund with vegetative
method Improved pasture: Gramineae
(eg. Rodes) + Leguminosae (eg. Trifolium) + fodder trees
Implementation strategy Select voluntary men and women farmers from both
locations Sloping plots should be under bunds or owners should
be willing to construct new ones soonPlot size can be flexible: but 0.25-0.5 ha is ideal
IP makes inputs available and guides the implementation of trials Group of farmers (FRG) and researchers assess
performance independentlyRegularly review findings (progress)
Implementation strategy On the slopes: Identify men and women farmers plots with bund
or those willing to construct new Modify the bunds to improve efficiency Avail planting materials for bund stabilization Crop land:
Avail improved crop variety + Management practices and inputs
Grazing land: Avail improved grass + Legume species and seedlings of permanent crops
Permanent crops? In-situ and ex-situ water harvesting