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