N2: Rainwater management in the Ethiopian highlands: Technologies, institutions and policies
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Item Is ‘Social Cooperation’ for traditional irrigation, while ‘Technology’ is for motor pump irrigation?(Report, 2014) Dessalegn, Mengistu; Merrey, Douglas J.Based on a case study in Ethiopia, this paper shows that while farmers understand the social nature of community-managed irrigation, they share a narrow understanding of pump irrigation with policymakers as being primarily ‘technical’. They perceive pumps as liberating them from the ‘social’ limitations of traditional communal irrigation. However, the rapid expansion of pump irrigation is leading to increasing competition and conflict over limited water resources. We analyze the wider implications for Africa of this lack of visibility of the social dimension of pump irrigation, and offer suggestions for future policy and applied research to address the problem before it becomes a widespread crisis.Item A participatory approach for hydrometeorological monitoring in the Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia(Report, 2013) Zemadim, Birhanu; McCartney, Matthew P.; Langan, Simon J.; Sharma, Bharat R.Participatory research is increasingly recognized as being useful for conducting multiple activities in research for development projects. The co-learning environment created in participatory research helps to identify existing social and technological gaps, and develop possible solutions to improve the livelihoods of rural communities. This report describes a participatory approach used in the establishment and implementation of hydrometeorological monitoring networks in the Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia. The networks were established with the involvement of rural communities and other stakeholders to gain insights into the hydrological processes of the watersheds, in order to improve rainwater management strategies. Local people were involved in the day-to-day management and maintenance of the networks. The participatory approach proved beneficial for several reasons, not least, because it instilled trust and goodwill amongst the communities.Item Assessment of livestock production systems, the potential of feed availability, farming system and livestock production problems in Fogera District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia(Report, 2015-03) Molla, G.; Regassa, T.; Lema, Zelalem; Leta, Gerba; Duncan, Alan J.; Mekuriaw, Y.Item Implications of sustainable agricultural intensification for family farming in Africa: anthropological perspectives(Journal Article, 2014) Snyder, Katherine A.; Cullen, BethIn this paper, we will explore the ways in which sustainable intensification interventions often overlook fundamental social dynamics in rural landscapes. We provide evidence of the underlying social, political and environmental contexts that affect farmers’ land-use decisions. While there are numerous initiatives to promote a Green Revolution for Africa, many tend to be dominated by technical fixes that fail to understand rural farmers’ condi - tions or aspirations and focus narrowly on increasing productivity. These technical solu - tions rarely address the broader social, economic and political challenges to agricultural production and farmers’ livelihoods. Finally, top-down technical approaches frequently fail to build on the local knowledge, innovative capacity and expertise of farmers and members of rural communities throughout Africa. Examples from fieldwork in Ghana, Ethiopia and Tanzania are used to illustrate our arguments.Item Innovation Platforms to Enhance Participation in Rainwater Management: Lessons from The Nile Basin Development Challenge with a Particular Focus on Political Economy and Equity Issues(Working Paper, 2014-09-30) Tucker, Josephine; Cullen, Beth; Amsalu, Aklilu; Ludi, EvaThis paper draws lessons from two years of work with ‘innovation platforms’ that were established by the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC) program in an attempt to strengthen landscape-level rainwater management in Ethiopia. The NDBC’s work included the use of an innovation fund to support pilot interventions. This paper particularly reviews questions of political economy and equity in platform activities and examines decision-making processes, the roles and level of influence of different platform members, the nature of platform-community relations and the extent to which different groups are benefiting. The information presented in this working paper was gathered from a mixture of sources: interviews conducted with platform members; observation of meetings and activities by NBDC staff; official minutes of platform meetings and other associated events (e.g., training sessions) and informal discussions between NBDC staff and platform members.Item An analysis of power dynamics within innovation platforms for natural resource management(Journal Article, 2014-07-03) Cullen, Beth; Tucker, Josephine; Snyder, Katherine A.; Lema, Zelalem; Duncan, Alan J.Innovation systems thinking is increasingly influencing approaches to sustainable agricultural development in developing world contexts. This represents a shift away from technology transfer towards recognition that agricultural change entails complex interactions among multiple actors and a range of technical, social and institutional factors. One option for practically applying innovation systems thinking involves the establishment of innovation platforms (IPs). Such platforms are designed to bring together a variety of different stakeholders to exchange knowledge and resources and take action to solve common problems. Yet relatively little is known about how IPs operate in practice, particularly how power dynamics influence platform processes. This paper focuses on a research-for-development project in the Ethiopian highlands which established three IPs for improved natural resource management. The ‘power cube’ is used to retrospectively analyse the spaces, forms and levels of power within these platforms and the impact on platform processes and resulting interventions. The overall aim is to highlight the importance of power issues in order to better assess the strengths and limitations of IPs as a model for inclusive innovation. Findings suggest that while IPs may achieve some short-term success in creating spaces for wider participation in decision-making processes, they may be significantly influenced by forms of power which may not always be visible or easily challenged.Item Producing digital stories and photo films: How to make stories with photos and audio recordings(Report, 2014-05-26) Bastemeijer, E.Item NBDC experiences with fodder development in Fogera, Ethiopia(Video, 2014-04-11) International Livestock Research Institute; International Water Management InstituteThis digital story was produced to communicate work done by the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC), specifically activities undertaken by the team working on 'Technologies, Institutions and Policies'. The NBDC aimed to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the Ethiopian highlands through land and water management and was funded by the Challenge Program for Water and Food. For more information see: http://nilebdc.orgItem Innovation platforms for improved livelihoods and rainwater management in Ethiopia(Video, 2014-04-11) International Livestock Research Institute; International Water Management InstituteThis digital story was produced to communicate work done by the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC), specifically activities undertaken by the team working on 'Technologies, Institutions and Policies'. The NBDC aimed to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the Ethiopian highlands through land and water management and was funded by the Challenge Program for Water and Food. For more information see: http://nilebdc.orgItem NBDC experiences with fodder development in Diga, Ethiopia(Video, 2014-04-11) International Livestock Research Institute; International Water Management InstituteThis digital story was produced to communicate work done by the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC), specifically activities undertaken by the team working on 'Technologies, Institutions and Policies'. The NBDC aimed to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the Ethiopian highlands through land and water management and was funded by the Challenge Program for Water and Food. For more information see: http://nilebdc.orgItem Farmer field days in the Nile Basin Development Challenge(Video, 2014-04-10) International Livestock Research Institute; International Water Management InstituteThis digital story was produced to communicate work done by the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC), specifically activities undertaken by the team working on 'Technologies, Institutions and Policies'. The NBDC aimed to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the Ethiopian highlands through land and water management and was funded by the Challenge Program for Water and Food. For more information see: http://nilebdc.orgItem Participatory video in the Nile Basin Development Challenge(Video, 2014-04-11) International Livestock Research Institute; International Water Management InstituteThis digital story was produced to communicate work done by the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC), specifically activities undertaken by the team working on 'Technologies, Institutions and Policies'. The NBDC aimed to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the Ethiopian highlands through land and water management and was funded by the Challenge Program for Water and Food. For more information see: http://nilebdc.orgItem Participatory video: A novel mechanism for sharing community perceptions with decision makers (CPWF innovation funds project completion report)(Report, 2012-09) Duncan, Alan J.; Cullen, BethItem Oiling the wheels of innovation: Seed funds for local Innovation Platforms (CPWF innovation funds project completion report)(Report, 2013-03) Tucker, Josephine; Snyder, Katherine A.; Cullen, BethItem Nile Basin Development Challenge community engagement report: Diga(Report, 2011-11) Cullen, Beth; Belay, A.; Lema, Zelalem; Adie, AberraItem Second Fogera stakeholders’ workshop(Report, 2012-04-23) International Livestock Research InstituteItem Nile Basin Development Challenge community engagement report: Jeldu(Report, 2012-02) Cullen, Beth; Belay, A.; Adie, AberraItem First Fogera stakeholders’ workshop(Report, 2012-12-12) International Livestock Research InstituteItem Innovation platforms, participatory video and WAT-A-GAME for participatory NRM: Experiences from Ethiopia(Presentation, 2013-12-17) Cullen, BethItem Participatory Video: Capturing community perspectives on rain water management(Presentation, 2011-11-16) Cullen, Beth; Duncan, Alan J.; Snyder, Katherine A.