Voices in Shaping Water Governance: Exploring Discourses in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia

Bantider, Amare; Tadesse, Bamlaku; Mersha, Adey Nigatu; Zeleke, Gete; Alemayehu, T.; Nagheeby, Mohsen; Amézaga, Jaime M.

doi:10.3390/w15040803

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 42 publications

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“…It can include wells far from a river or wells receiving water from shallow aquifers hydraulically connected to the river. The traditional method of obtaining groundwater in rural areas of the developing world is through hand-dug wells [7]. With knowledge about the shallow water table, a hole is dug for water extraction using pumps or buckets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change Impact on Groundwater-Based Livelihood in Soan River Basin of Pakistan (South Asia) Based on the Perception of Local Farmers

Ahmad

Nadeem

Liu

et al. 2023

Water

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Based on the perceptions of the local farmers, this study aims to assess the effects of socioeconomic factors and climatic change on the groundwater livelihood system, with a particular focus on in situ Persian wheels/dug wells. Farmers’ perceptions of climate change and how it is affecting their way of life in the Soan River Basin have also been evaluated to determine the most appropriate adaptive interventions. Information and literature about dug wells was unavailable, which stressed the need to carry out this survey. A structured close-ended questionnaire was designed and administered with as much quantitative data as possible. Random sampling opted for a 5 km buffer zone across the Soan River and its tributaries. Union councils having more than 50% of their area lying in the buffer zone were surveyed, and data was collected. Fifty UCs fell within this criterion, and six dug wells from each Union Council were surveyed. The results of our survey collecting local farmer’s perceptions determined that about 70% of respondents agreed about climate change in the Soan Basin of Pakistan, and 62% of farmers reported that climate change severely impacted their livelihood by affecting agricultural productivity and water availability. Ninety-two percent reported summer becoming hot, 72% highlighted that winters are becoming less cold, and 96% reported that average annual rainfall has decreased compared to 10 years before. About 72% of respondents indicated that available water in their dug wells had decreased, and 80% of respondents explained that their crop yield had decreased compared to 10 years before. Sixty percent preferred drip and 35% sprinkler irrigation as efficient water management practices to cope with water shortages. Ninety-five percent of farmers were ready to use solar pumps for irrigation to tame high pumping costs. The study recommends integrating solar pumping with drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to enhance farmers’ cropped area and productivity. These vulnerable farmers can enhance their resilience and profitability by adopting high-value agriculture (tunnel farming, off-season vegetables, etc.) instead of conventional crops.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change Impact on Groundwater-Based Livelihood in Soan River Basin of Pakistan (South Asia) Based on the Perception of Local Farmers

Ahmad

Nadeem

Liu

et al. 2023

Water

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Diversity and trade-offs of water values in the Akaki River system in Ethiopia: context of urban–rural linkage

Haileslassie,

Tesema,

Mersha

et al. 2024

Sustain. Water Resour. Manag.

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The objectives of the study were to investigate community perception and articulation of diverse and priority water values and examine water value trade-offs in the context of urban–rural interaction. The study applies the socio-ecological system framework and integrates bio-physical and socioeconomic methods into it. These methods include Household Surveys (HHs); Focused Group Discussions (FGD); Key Informant Interviews (KII); Cumulative Pollution Index (CPI); GIS for spatial analysis and literature review. Through HHs, 23 water values were identified in Akaki. Most respondents of the HHs prioritized three water values (water for agriculture, livestock, and domestic use). The stakeholder consultation substantiated the priority for domestic water value but also acknowledged waste assimilation services of rivers that absorb and strew pollutants from industries and households. The result of KII suggests that water system structures (e.g., reservoirs) are the mnemonic value for past events and sustain scenic values of local, national, and global importance. The Cumulative Pollution Index (CPI) based pollution assessment indicates that the Akaki water system lost a significant number of its water value (compared to the actual uses) due to river pollution across its reach and more critically at its outlet. The differences between the CPI value-based recommended water uses and actual water uses reflect a lack of options, awareness gaps, and a low level of policy enforcement. It is concluded that policy directions and decision-making need to acknowledge the multiple water values and competing uses of water, as points of departure, to reconcile water value trade-offs, conserve water and create awareness.

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Mapping Community Perception, Synergy, and Trade-Off of Multiple Water Values in the Central Rift Valley Water System of Ethiopia

Geleta,

Haileslassie,

Simane

et al. 2023

Water

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Individuals and communities use and value water in multiple and complex ways. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the pluralistic nature of water values is poorly documented, and the existing and potential value trade-offs are unidentified. This study was undertaken in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia to understand and map water values, priorities, risks, and trade-offs in a multi-stakeholder engagement process to provide the basis for more transparent and accountable decision-making. Integrated assessment methods, combining bio-physical and social methods, were applied. The results show 24 community-perceived and articulated water values that are diverse but interconnected, including values of water, landscapes, the river system, and downstream water bodies. Connections between people and landscape structures are articulated. In terms of priority water values, the overall results reflect the primary but basic need for water for food security and domestic uses. The results further illustrate the pluralistic nature of water values and the dichotomy of preferences among people of different backgrounds. The scenario-based Environmental Flow (EF) assessment exercise integrated into community value preferences and the event calendar that was used show that the river systems in CRV (Ketar, Kulumsa, and Gusha-Temela) have different ecological and socio-cultural flow requirements and that there are marked water value trade-offs. The conclusions of the study suggest that overlapping governance structures are affecting people’s perceptions of water and the way they articulate water values. Policy directions and decision-making need to recognize and acknowledge the multiple water values and competing uses of water in the CRV as a starting point to reconcile trade-offs that will then improve water security. Findings suggest that EF estimation and decision support tools can be customized to local ecological requirements through engaging local stakeholders in the assessment process.

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Voices in Shaping Water Governance: Exploring Discourses in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia

Cited by 4 publications

References 42 publications

Climate Change Impact on Groundwater-Based Livelihood in Soan River Basin of Pakistan (South Asia) Based on the Perception of Local Farmers

Climate Change Impact on Groundwater-Based Livelihood in Soan River Basin of Pakistan (South Asia) Based on the Perception of Local Farmers

Diversity and trade-offs of water values in the Akaki River system in Ethiopia: context of urban–rural linkage

Mapping Community Perception, Synergy, and Trade-Off of Multiple Water Values in the Central Rift Valley Water System of Ethiopia

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