Competing claims for natural resources in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia: From global drivers to local action. Huib Hengsdijk & Mekuria Argaw

Transcription

1 Competing claims for natural resources in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia: From global drivers to local action Huib Hengsdijk & Mekuria Argaw

2 Content Introduction to the Central Rift Valley Drivers at different scales affecting local responses Competing resource claims and impact Approach to stimulate stakeholder dialogue and initiate R&D activities Lessons learned

3 Central Rift Valley in Ethiopia Addis Ababa Area ± 1 Mln ha Population ± 1.5 Mln

4 Drivers at different scales consequences: Globalizing forces Globalization, market liberalization Export oriented food and non food systems National forces Regional forces Local responses Local resources Poverty reduction policy, economic growth policy Tax holidays, promotion of irrigation & crop diversification Irrigation planning, land use management.... Uncontrolled extraction of irrigation water, no control of water pollution, increased claims for land Local responses and feedback to driving forces from higher scales are limited

5 One of the symptoms of increased competition for water resources: Downstream Lake Abyata is drying up area (ha) Lake Abyata Irrigated area year

6 Cross sectoral claims for natural resources Agriculture crops & livestock Urbanization Industry Domestic energy demand Competition for land, water & biomass Fisheries Nature Tourism Domestic water demand

7 General objective To strengthen the capacity of local authorities, development organisations and private sector with the aim to mitigate competing claims for natural resources, and to improve resource use management and the livelihoods of the rural population in the CRV.

8 Methodological NE DEED framework to analyze resource claims and to support stakeholder dialogue Describe Design Dialogue Explain Explore

9 Stakeholder dialogue to stimulate sustainable development People Public sector: Federal Regional Municipalities science / dialogue Private sector: Flower growers Peasants Tourism sector Central Rift Valley Working Group Planet Profit Civil society: Development organizations, Donors, Environmentalists

10 Approaches to stimulate policy dialogue Develop joint knowledge base Action oriented research (science, civil society, private sector) Reports and website: Raise awareness Presentations at public events (e.g. World Water Day) Multi stakeholder workshops Policy briefs Connect different dialogues and discourses Capacity building Training of students and staff (e.g. extension) Introduction to new research and participatory planning methods

11 From policy dialogue to local action Two premises: Driving forces from higher scales difficult to be influenced by local stakeholders. Local stakeholders have own mandate and capacity. Actions should be in line with findings of analysis, e.g.: Furrow irrigated sector largest water user. Environmental and economic performance of smallholder irrigation sector is quite low. Agricultural intensification may affect water quality. Develop livelihood strategies that consume less fresh water resources than irrigated agriculture.

12 Participatory developed R&D activities New alliances of public, private and civil society organizations resulted in 4 activities: 1. Training of horticulture extension. 2. Water quality monitoring to raise awareness and to stimulate thinking about required institutions. 3. Buffer zones along lakes and rivers to reduce emissions from agriculture and preserve the landscape. 4. Promotion material for tourism as alternative source of income.

13 Lessons learned Involve stakeholders in understanding resource claims and developing solutions. Joint action research was helpful to validate information. Jointly developed knowledge base contributed to acceptance of conclusions. Policy dialogue resulted in trust among stakeholders. Policy dialogue resulted in new partnerships. Policy dialogues at different scales; it is the art to connect these and to provide them with relevant information. Science and knowledge for policy development at different levels. Develop adaptive capacities of local stakeholders.

14 Lessons learned Stakes are high in Ethiopia, i.e. strong drivers to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty: Little knowledge/experience with agricultural intensification. Environmental concerns neglected.

15 Thank you Wageningen UR