Collective action issues at the Kabe
Watershed Pilot Project in Ethiopia, 2011-
2013
Derbew Kefyalew (ILRI)
Workshop on the lessons and success stories from a
pilot project on climate change adaptation
interventions in Kabe watershed, south Wollo,
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 11-12 February 2013

Introduction
• People living in rural areas and using natural resources
engage in collective action on a daily basis
• Climate change poses novel risks often outside the range of
experience such as impacts related to drought etc (Adger,
W.N. etal, 2007).
• Therefore, it is necessary to assist local people in their coping
strategies, even if a synergy is needed between local
institutions and national and international framework for the
successful adaptation to climate change

Objective and methods
• To assemble knowledge
on incentives,
constraints and
collective action
schemes affecting CC
adaptation strategies at
watershed
• FGD, meeting and Key
informant interview

Result
Development Constraints Adaptation options
incentives/livel
ihood base
Crop Poor soil fertility Improve soil fertility through composting,
Unreliable and erratic RF physical, and biological SWC measures.
Crop pest and disease Improve and upgrade streams, springs
Lack of improved seed and ground water for irrigation
varieties improved and high value crop varieties
Livestock Low productivity of local •Improved breeds and forage crops.
breeds •New production system like fattening ,
Shortage of animal feed dairy production
Market problems •Create market linkage and services
Water •Rivers and streams are •Provide technologies that improve the
drying/reduce volume water recharge
•Unprotected •Protect and developed streams, shallow
•Ground water table is wells for both irrigation and drinking
deep •Introduce efficient irrigation technologies

Result continued….
• Community consensus
reached to conduct
different NRM practices
(SWC, plantation)
• Consensus was reached
to stop free gazing
through:
 Awareness creation
 By-laws

Lessons
• Community consultation and consensus building for
collective action is crucial
• Incorporating local knowledge for planning of watershed
management is necessary

Lessons
• Community consultation and consensus building for
collective action is crucial
• Incorporating local knowledge for planning of watershed
management is necessary