Where it is realized
Summary description of agroecological practice
Dugda Goro Kebele is one of the RIP-A/R kebeles in the Lower Meki Watershed area, part of the Sodo Gurage project Woreda, SNNPR with elevations ranging from 1400 to 1800 meters above sea level.
Type of agroecological practice
The AE practice is ANR comprising various activities like continuous engagement & mobilization of the community, formation of CBOs, appropriate physical & biological SWC measures in place (including introduction of lowland bamboo species), creating of income generating activities (Tomato production using SSI); provided capacity building trainings at various levels on key areas of intervention.
Implementing the practice
Implementation of the ANR practice is done/to be done following the above listed activities under AE practice
Why you use and what you expect from this practice?
The practice was chosen because of the challenges observed in the area following site suitability and feasibility assessment by multidisciplinary team of experts. The observed challenges were severe degradation, area devoid of vegetation, and prone to drought. The local community were heavily dependent on safety net programs due to the unproductive nature of the area.
The expectation was transforming the unproductive marginal land to productive land both socially, economically and ecologically. The following high level results achieved so far
Erosion and flooding have been effectively mitigated;
Groundwater potential has been enhanced, and local rivers and streams strengthened.
Improved flora and fauna diversity;
The rehabilitated area provides palatable grass harvested through a cut-and-carry system, improving livestock productivity and reducing overgrazing;
The community has benefited from the sale of grass and bamboo. They have even contributed over 300,000 birr for the construction of a high school through their Community-Based Organization (CBO);
Generally rapid recovery of the ecosystem integrity; providing multiple economic, ecological, and social benefits.