Highlights of MERET experiences

Highlights of MERET Experiences Betru Nedassa (Ministry of Agriculture)2nd National Platform on Land and Water management ILRI, Addis Ababa, 19 December 2011

Evolution of MERET MERET project  traditionaly known as Food For Work (FFW) Project. It has undergone a series of changes in terms of approach, technologies, technical standards -i.e. under continuous learning & changing process) First, initiated in the form of relief in mid 70s to respond to 1973/4 drought and famine (esp. Wollo & Tigray) Later shifted to dev’t to address  major cause of food insecurity (i.e. land degradation) Until 1980, there were small projects (ad hoc type).

Evolution of MERET These were consolidated & organized into  FFW ”ETH- 2488” in 1980 (predecessor of MERET) This Marked the begging of large scale (LR, SWC, afforestion & WSM activities in Ethiopia). The project grew to very big project (No of catchments- 117 > 10,000-20,000 ha each) Approach was absolutely top-down Major activities WH, SWC & Afforestation

Achievements of FFW (ETH-2488) Project b/n 1980-1990Indeed the project: Rehabilitated many degraded lands Established many manmade forests Availed fuel wood, construction materials & livestock feed Restored productivity of degraded farmlands and hillsides, esp. in moisture stress areas it was very effective

Limitations The project adopted large watersheds >10, 000 - 20,000ha (not manageable size) Planning is totally centralized i.e top-down The community had little say on their land, about technologies, etc People come to work, in big mass, with little organization Little quality control system for the structures

Consequences Eroded community’s confidence & sense of ownership Caused removal & destruction of structures (less sustainable) Raised question why the community destroys structures Brought the idea of community participation (Minimum Planning, late 80s)However, Before it developed to genuine participation, the change of old regime resulted in destruction of dev’t works in 1991.

Consequences This caused the development of LLPPA in early 90s-from Minimum Planning) But, LLPPA focused on community (i.e. little IWSM) Thus, LLPPA developed to CBPWSM & holistic The project also introduced quality control systems- to effectively control floods & improve water yields These altogether brought better impact- Restored hydrology, biodiversity, improved production and food security But could not fully address food security (i.e. activities were WH, SWC & afforestation)

ConsequencesBrought the idea of integrating:-agric packages & IGAs to fully address Food security ((b/n 1999 & 2000)These Include:- Homestead development (HSD) & income generation activities (IGAs) IGAs:- Horticulture, beekeeping, animal fattening, poultry, etc Small scale irrigation Low cost soil Fertility (SOMM) techniques)Which were not traditionally part of the project intervention

Consequences of HSD & IGAsIncreased the demand for water for small scale irrigationHHs/ Communities in rehabilitated catchments had better access to water (hand dug well, springs, etc)Enabled them to boost production from High value crops (vegetables & fruits)Improved livelihoods & living standardsIncreased awareness about LR, WH & SWC (i.e. Links between upper & down streams ) Increased popularity of LR, WH & SWC

Emergence of MERET (2003) The integration of productivity aspects & IGAs brought dramatic change in the livelihoods Changed the attitude of FFW- dependence on food aid People were no more focusing on food aid, but on dev’t to be rich Brought change of the name from FFW to MERET (in 2003) (to align the name of the project with its real function & activities) i.e. Innovative & creative project- but not creating dependency The idea was also to associate the importance of the project with the value of land-Meret, in our society

Effects of the innovation on attitude Increase interest & sense of ownership for LR, WH & SWC (i.e HHs & communities realized the benefits of WH & SWC) They were committed to sustainable Mag’t & protection of LR & other works Boosted interest, confidence & self-help contribution (up to 45%) As a result, the project became community owned and managed program

Current status & facts about MERET Many visitors come from overseas & different parts to learn MERET experiences MERET best practices and approaches are being copied by similar programs (e.g.PSNP, SLM, etc) MERET has become model for IWSM, productivity & livelihoods improvement Regions are scaling out MERET approaches and best practices & IWSM (i.e. influencing policy makers)

Factors Contributing to Success of MERET Effectiveness of structures (adoption of quality control system) Community empowerment for decision making Combination of right technologies (LR, Productivity improvement & IGAs) Technical capacity built at all levels Démonstration of the new technologies i.e. « seeing is believing »

Factors Contributing to Success (cont’d)Regular technical back up (close supervision)Strict adoption of integrated watershed management approach (IWSM)Linkages, harmonies and partnership among the stakeholders (to acquire technologies, technical supports, resources, etc)

Major ChallengesResource limitation to scale up/out best practicesLack of cash component for promoting IGAsAbsence of impact studies & documentation of MERET best practices (limited promotional works)Limited exposure to innovative technologies at overseasInstitutional instability & frequent staff turnover

Abbreviations LLPPA-Local level participatory planning approach CBPWSM-Community based participatory watershed management Approach HSD-homestead development IGAs-Income generation activities SWC-soil and water conservation WH-water harvesting LR-land rehabilitation FFW-food for work SLM-sustainable land management PSNP-productive safety net program WSM-watershed management IWSM-integrated watershed management SOMM-soil organic matter management MERET- managing environmental resources to enable transition to better livelihoods

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Highlights of MERET experiences

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