Background of Relief Society of Tigray (REST)

Relief Society of Tigray (REST) is an indigenous (Ethiopian) non-governmental organization based in Tigray since 1978,

REST is implementing a wide range of Relief, Rehabilitation and Development activities in Rural areas of Tigray .

Originally REST was established to serve the needs of the people in the liberated areas of Tigray during the then civil war.

REST has always been a grass-roots organization, committed to working with the poorest and most marginalized communities to bring about positive and sustainable changes.

The activities of REST are funded by various international donor organizations and NGOs (EU and USAID--)

REST’s Vision and Mission

REST’s Vision

A future where poverty has been eradicated and all people enjoy equitable access to development opportunities and benefits.

REST’s Mission To contribute to the eradication of poverty in

Ethiopia by promoting livelihoods on a sustainable basis within the context of stimulating wider economic dynamism and growth within the Regional State of Tigray.

REST Goals and ObjectivesGoals REST’s overall goal is to bring about a

sustainable development in food insecure livelihoods within REST operational areas

Objectivesa. To promote sustainable natural resource

managementb. To improve water security within Tigrayc. To strengthen household livelihoods within

REST operational areas d. To improve the health and educational status of

people in Tigraye. To promote empowerment of women in Tigray

REST’s Operational AreasREST has Four major operational areas practiced in the

target watersheds . 1. Environmental Rehabilitation and Agricultural

Development (ERAD), Natural Resource Management

Soil and water conservation (SWC) Reforestation and Agro-ferestry Rural Access Road Renewable Energy

Agricultural Development Program Livestock and forage development Crop development and Marketing and linking to MFI Weather Crop Insurance

2. Water harvesting and Irrigation Infrastructures Development

micro-dams, river diversions, pump installation, construction springs,

community ponds, open hand dug wells and underground tankers.

REST’s Operational ------Cont’d3.Rural water supply for domestic use

Hand dug well, Spring water development, shallow borehole, Roof rain water harvesting and deep Borehole

3. Health Programs Maternal and Child Health, Reproduction health and family planning, HIV/AIDS and STIs prevention, infectious disease mitigation and basic personal hygiene and sanitation education.

Emergency Seed Provision Project

REST’s Participatory and Integrated Watershed Management Approach

The Participation and integration starts from the planning processes By establishing watershed committee at region,

wereda and watershed level. A community watershed committee representing the

beneficiary of the village. This helps to perform all necessary studying,

planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the interventions in the watershed.

Since 2002, Rest has been following Participatory and integrated watershed approach.

Most of the activities have been implemented by concentrating and integrating within the watershed.

Watershed Committee EstablishmentThe Community watershed committee has at least 10-15

farmers who are selected by the community in the village. The selection considers gender, age, wealth status, land

holding and active participant or model farmersMajor tasks of the committee is Planning,

implementation, monitoring and Evaluation of projects within the watershed

The CWC with assistance of the development agents and wereda watershed committees prepare Base and development plans of the watersheds based on the baseline information of the watersheds.

The weredas watershed committees have got technical assistance from regional experts of REST and BOARD during planning, introducing new technologies,

implementation and evaluation processes.

Members of Meara Community Watershed committee, Hintalowajerat Wereda, evaluating progress of water

harvesting check dam construction in this watershed

Sketch base map of Daereka Watershed prepared by the community watershed management committee

GIS Tools Used for the watershed Mapping and Planning

•The watershed study are supported by GIS tools •REST has GIS Unit operating watershed mapping, Planning and designing •The Regional and Wereda REST experts are well trained in GIS software to make the watershed study more scientific and reliable

•Some maps of the studied Sample REST watersheds are illustrated as next

KEY FEATURES OF THE REST Watershed Approach

1) Participatory, Integrated, Linked and Sequenced Watershed Planning:

Participatory planning based on existing potentials, and implementation and ME

Designing interventions in an integrated, linked and sequenced approach

Good for functional integration:with in the project components (linking NRM with

livelihood….) and with other projects/development actions: eg. Coordination and integration with government

development plan, various REST projects, and other ongoing initiatives

2) Centrality of access to and control over Water

Focus: Effective Utilization and Management of Water Resources in the rural community

Soil and water conservation: Intensive Upper catchments treatments by different SWC measures and reforestation (PW activities)

Developing water resource (ground and surface) utilizing wide range of appropriate alternative technologies: Surface Water harvesting structures for irrigation (Diversions,

dams, check dam ponds, spring developments, ….)Ground water development: HDWs, Deep and shallow wells..

Water lifting and efficiency technologies (water pumps, Drip, Rope and washer, treadle pumps)

3) Flexible & Diversified Livelihood Packages

Approach:Demand driven packaging (size and type)

Provision of various assets based on potential and choice of the HHs,

Application of Value chain at farmers Technical training on Asset management & productivity,

Provision of continued technical support

Demonstration/Promotion based scale up and scale out approach

Flexible & Livelihood package Cont…..Linking natural resource rehabilitation

outputs to household asset building (Area enclosures for bee keeping, Livestock

fattening….)Provision of productive assets both at

individual & group level (OHDWs, water lifting technologies, etc.)

Facilitate market linkage (market sheds, market groups, Value chain analysis etc.)

Improving animal productivity by providing improved breeds, animal forage and modern bee keepings.

Improving its health status through intensive health education focusing on FP, Sanitation & hygiene, HIV/AIDS and promoting nutrition.

4) Enhancing Community InstitutionsCommunity institutions development:

Watershed committee, cooperatives, user groups…

Technical and managerial capacity buildingAt community level focus on watershed

committee, community technical leaders Trainings, visits, material support (tools…)

Local government capacity building: focus on Development agents, Cooperatives, Wareda

level expertise and administrators

Implementation Pattern (From uphill to downstream of a watershed)–

Creating perennial water sourcesDeveloping Natural Resource Base in the watershedSequential pattern of NRM planning and

implementation so thatperennial water at downstream are created and

sustainable developments are achieved within the watersheds.

The implementation of the natural resources management activities startson upper catchments treatment using terraces, bunds,

basins, check dams, plantations, percolation ponds and channels, check dams ponds and mini-dams and

then water harvesting for irrigation and/or domestic use at the downstream. ( See Figure )

Upper Catchments Treatment

Terraces and Bunds

Basins and Simple check

dams

Plantations and area enclosures

Gully treatmentGully bank

reshapingBiological treatment

Sediment Storage

check dams

Percolation check dams, ponds and

channels

Water Harvesting Check dam ponds, Mini-dams

Creating perennial water sources for Irrigation and domestic use

•Stream water diverting check dams•Water Springs•Water wells and boreholes•Other water sources

Gabion and loose rock

check dams

Upper catchments treatment

Gully treatment

Percolation check dams and ponds channels

Water Harvesting Check dam ponds

Developed water for irrigation and domestic use

Soil and Water Conservation Programs of REST

In Tigray, the governmental based SWC program was introduced in 1971 through food-for-work program (Hunting, 1976).

Major SWC Activities Upper catchments treatment – Big gully reclamation- Moisture harvesting on Farmland Micro scale Water harvesting Ground water recharging- Capacity Building-

SWC structures on Communal land as well as on farmland

From 1993 to 2010; 249,132hectarres of land have been treated by various types of SWC techniques in REST intervention weredas.

Communal HILL LAND

Various types of SWC terraces, bunds and basins

SWC Terraces and basins on Communal land as well as on farmland

One type of in situ moisture harvesting trench bund on

cropland as well as on communal land

Trench Bund on Communal landTrench bund on

cropland

Big Gully Reclamation-Gully physical, biological and mechanical treatment- Changed to

productive landBig Gully Reclamation--

Since1998 436big gullies have been fully

reclaimed and changed to productive land.

Gully Plugging (Left) Loose rock and gabion based check-dams and (Right) Biological treatment

Loose rock check dam

Gabion check dam

Deep Gully ReclamationReshaping and Plantation elephant grass for animal feed,

T/Daereka watershed

Landless groups developing marginal lands around Gully banks with fruits and fodder, Tigray

Gully reclamation and bank rehabilitation at early stage, 2008

Marginal land allocated for landless groups and now under development, 2011

Church as a reference point

Percolation Ponds, Channels, Check dams and Deep trenchesThe percolation structures have been introduced in the REST weredas since 2004.

These structures are designed to trap the excess runoff water flows down from the upper catchments and recharge ground water and increase water discharge of the different types of water sources

•

Water Harvesting Check dam

BEFORE

AFTER

Water Harvesting Check dam built in 2006 Meara Watershed, Hintalo-Wajerat

•Since 2004, water harvesting check dams have been introduced be applied

on big gullies and streams. This is an Indian experiences •for irrigation- Full time as well as supplementary •for biological gully treatment, •recharging ground water, and •as a livestock watering point and other domestic use.

So far more than 300WHCD have been constructed and scale out by the government and NGOS in Tigray, Amhara and Afar Regions

Water Harvesting Check dams- Check dam Ponds under construction on dry gullies

One of the water harvesting check dam pond constructed in 2007 for irrigation in Medhin Watershed,

Mereb-leke, Lowland Tigray

BeforeAfter Construction

Water Harvesting Check dams- Cont’d

Before Construction

After Construction

Check Dam Pond in Worileke Wereda, Maisesela village

Flood Diversion in Raya Using Runoff Diverting Check dams

Strategic ApproachEnsuring participation of all stockholders at all

levels (especially community Participation, etc.)Selection of appropriate, affordable technology

and manageable to the end users.Use the Water efficiently and upgrading

existing Traditional irrigation systems.Focusing on sustainable small scale irrigation

projectsIntegration and synergy with:-

Water shade approach Gender, agronomy ,market ,credit and health Soil and water conservation Interventions

39

Irrigation Development: REST annual Capacity

More than 51 dams Constructed in different weredas

About 5500 ha, irrigated

About 22,000 households benefited

41

Before and After: Construction Mini Dams

River Diversion

43

More than 95 Diversion Constructed in different weredas

About 6500 ha, irrigated

About 26,000 households benefited

More than 250 check dams Constructed in different weredas

About 4,000 ha, irrigated

About 3,000 households benefited

45

More than 15 spate schemes Constructed in Ray Azebo weredas

About 2500 ha, irrigated

About 5000 households benefited

46

Community Hand Dug Wells

47

Underground Tankers

48

Pump Irrigation Infrastructure

Reforestation Programs of REST in Tigray Tree Nursery Management, seedling transportation and plantation

From1993-2010 --197,992,249 seedlings have been produced so far in both the central nursery sites and the community nursery sites and Planted

Average of the survival rate counts for every year is 61.7%

Plantation

Gravilia Plantation in Adwa, Tabia Selam

Plantation Area- Before and After Plantation

in Adwa/Tabia Selam

Degraded land Before Plantation

AFTER

Biofuel- Jatropha Plantations

Plantation Options

TotalNo. of Planted/Sown

No. of Survived

Survived in %

Areas inHa

Communal areas 49012478 32536206 66 19605Individual plantations 159490 149380 94 63Agro forestry 54020 52280 97 21Apportioned hillsides 10030 9392 94 4Gully sites 70021 65502 94 93Social institutions 43741 40280 92 17FTC 552 542 98 0.01Total

49,350,332 32,853,582 67 19,803

Total planted and survival Rate of Jatropha plants from 2007 to 20011

Jatropha Plantation --seed production

Agro-forestry / Farmland enclosure

Area enclosure Management, Mawi watershed in Kolatembien (Left) and Ahferom

(Right)From1993 to 2007 -- 172,399ha of land have been enclosed as natural regeneration as well as plantation areas

Potable Water SupplyHand dug well and Boreholes for Potable water

Supply

Agricultural Development Programs– Crop and Livestock Developments and Weather Crop Insurance Crop Development– Major Interventions Vegetable production

Include all improved and local vegetable seeds Oil crops

Such as ground nut seeds used for oil extraction and peanut/ butter for different purposes.

Fruit development Purchase , Production and Distribution of Grafted and Non grafted Tropical and

Temperate fruit seedlings and seeds.

Promotion of water lifting technologies such as Small /Medium water pumps, electrical pumps, FDK, and rope & washer pumps

Market linkage Includes market sheds Organizing groups

Micro-garden- Vegetable production as micro garden on women headed households

Fruit Production Type of fruit seedlings Type of fruit seedlings No. of fruit since No. of fruit since

19961996

Tropical fruits and High Land fruits Tropical fruits and High Land fruits 418,505

Coverage in HaCoverage in Ha 872ha872ha

Vegetable productionProvision of Improved vegetable seeds to farmers and

Microgarden

Micro-irrigation technologiesS/NS/N Description of itemsDescription of items

11 3-4 hp water pumps3-4 hp water pumps

22 4-6 hp l W/pump4-6 hp l W/pump

33 Rope & washerRope & washer

44 Family Drip (500 mFamily Drip (500 m22 ) )

Integration of Shallow Water well, FDK, and Vegetable Production

Livestock Development ProgramMajor Activities of this Program in FY2012 Forage developmentLivestock watering points development Beekeeping developmentDairy developmentSmall ruminant rearing and fatteningLarge ruminant/ Cattle fatteningRural poultry developmentDifferent type of capacity building activities:

trainings, Workshops, and exposure visits control and zero grazing apiculture and sericulture.

Forage seed multiplication center Management Merebleke & Ahferom

Alfalfa plantation management at nursery site

Livestock Watering Point Development

Dairy Development– Provision of Improved Breed of Local Dairy Cows (Begait

Cows) as well as HF Cows

  Colony multiplications and Honey production – Integrated with Area-enclosures

Good poultry management is the key for the successful improved income of female headed households Hintalo & Adua

Small Ruminant Production and Fattening

Small ruminant rearing is the best way of income of female headed households

Large ruminant/Cattle fattening by Women

Establishment/strengthening of farmers cooperatives- Fattening, Poultry, Dairy, Beekeeping

Phase I II III IV

Production year 2009 2010 2011 2012

Covered villages 1 5 43 76

Insured crops Teff Teff , Barley and wheat

Teff , Barley, Sorghum, Maize, bean, and wheat

Teff , Barley, Sorghum, Maize, bean, and wheat

Insurance company NISCO NISCO NISCO & AIC NISCO & AIC

# of insured farmers 200 1,308 13,195 19407Male 125 802 8740

15334Female 75 506 4304

4073Total Sum insured 115,000 974,400 15,883,726 24,481,550Premium 27,600 357,014 3,633,636.5

4,840,236.95Payout No No 295, 653.70 5,809,890

Weather Crop Insurance - HARITA from 2009 to 2012

Environmental Impacts of the Watershed Development Programs of REST

The active interventions of the programs by REST, the government and the farmers have resulted in considerable improvements on the natural resource management base and rehabilitating environment in Tigray.

Significant improvements have been observed regarding to

Soil loss reduction, Biomass production, Soil moisture improvement Groundwater recharging and Prevention of flood hazard.

Average sediment budget for cropped plots with stone bunds in Tigray Highlands (after Desta, 2003). 68% of soil loss reduction---11cm of soil depth has been saved

Raised ground water table and Improved ground

water discharge in Daereka watershed

Water harvesting Check dams:

Recharging ground water and rising ground water table

Stream diversion and water hand dug wells for irrigation in Daereka Watershed Ahferom district

Stream Diversion

Water well

In addition to irrigation, Recharging groundwater using check dam ponds for potable water supply

Check Dam Pond

Hand Pump Potable water

Vegetation cover improvements REST has been working effectively on the reforestation

activities since 1993

1986 2000

2007

Vegetation Cover changes- Image of Daereka watershed

Improved vegetation cover (Area enclosure Management)

Vegetation cover change of the landscape over 30 years in Kushet Birki, Tabia Mesanu, Woreda Kilte Awlaelo;- A) Photo taken by Neil Munro in 1975, B) Photo taken by

Jan Nyssen in 2006 on the same landscape

A) Photo in 1975 B) Photo 2006

Economical benefits Crop yield improvement

Comparison of average grain yield (g/m²) on the accumulation zone, the middle zone and the loss zone (After Desta, 2003) in Doguatembien

44554 42761

64507

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

Soil loss zone (Upper zone) Middle Zone

Accomulation Zone

Area between two bunds

Cro

p y

eild

dif

fere

nc

e in

th

e t

hre

e

zo

ne

s

82

Irrigation Development: HDW + Agronomy

Irrigation using the check dams, Debdibo watershed, Ahferom

Crop and fruit Production during dry season-- Hintalowajerat– Irrigation using check dam ponds

Enhance Production using Check dam ponds

Livestock Grass Production and Watering Point

Grass production on gullies

Communal Grazing land

The rural people celebrating the gabion based ‘Maegel’ (Diverting Check dam)and showing the boosted production of

sorghum,in Raya

Horticulture- Apple mango

Area enclosures--- an opportunity for beekeeping intervention and honey Production

Lessons LearntWatershed as a planning unit: helps to facilitate

integration & synergy b/n various development actions and to achieve sustainable development .

Participatory and community managed watershed development is very important

Water centered strategy is essential for accelerating the rate of food production, and enhancing the natural resource base that supports agricultural productivity in moisture stressed areas of Tigray.

Management and Development of Natural Resource Base is a key for improvement of the livelihood of the community in the watershed

Good integration and working together with the community and government relevant offices and bureaus is very crucial for successes of the project.

Lessons Learnt.. Linking the poor HHs to MFI and Market is very

essential for sustainable food security at HH levelProfitable income diversification strategies based on

appropriateness for participant HHs, and assessment of market potential are required to enhance purchase power in the context of escalating food prices, lower crop yields and poverty reduction.

Dissemination of high value crop inputs and commercial oriented technologies like irrigation, are critical to transforming smallholder farming.

Training should be paired with access to inputs and links to the private sector.

The need of Weather Insurance to farmers for better investment and adapting climate change

Observed Challenges:Legal entity of Community WMCs to manage their

resources (Esp Financial Resources, Revolving fund)To many meetings of the community by governmentLimited managerial capacity of WMCs & user groups

(financial, technical, managerial)Low literacy of the CWMC MembersShortage of Fund to covet the need of the community Staff Turnover at all levelsShortage of skill and capacity at community level for

maintenance and management of technological inputsEfficient utilization of common resources (irrigation

water using drip systemMarket Price inflation of inputs and technologies

OpportunityCommitment of the community for labour

mobilization for environmental rehabilitation and agricultural development

Conducive government policy and commitment of the government bureaus and offices

Commitment of donors to work with REST in watershed development

Good integration and working together culture with government bureaus and offices

Good Awareness of the community of the effects of severe land degradation problems in their areas.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

YEKENIYELEY