Description

Land degradation is a major challenge in Ethiopia . It is expressed in terms of vegetation degradation, loss of biodiversity, reduced soil health (enhanced erosion, declining soil fertility, low agricultural productivity, and loss of soil fauna and flora), destruction and change of landscape, deterioration of water resources, spread of invasive species and undesired climatic changes. To minimize the severity of the problem, ICRAF in collaboration with Irish Aid has designed a three and half year project entitled "enhancing integrated watershed management with climate smart agriculture" which will be implemented in Gergera watershed, Tigray region.

This project will contribute to Irish Aid Ethiopia's priorities for climate smart, nutrition and gender-sensitive agricultural development. In addition to these, strengthening small-holder farmer associations and improving links to the private sector for improved livelihoods and environmental resilience are also receiving priority attention. This project has been designed to take into account the current government policies and strategies as well as Irish Aids thematic priorities. To this end, the proposed project will strongly contribute to:

1. Sustainably increase agricultural productivity and production,
2. Reduce degradation and improve resilience of landscapes and productivity of natural resources.
3. Enhance food security and create resilient society to climate change.
4. Develop a model area that will serve as a show case and educational site for the region and beyond that in climate smart and integrated watershed management practices and approaches.