WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND LIVELIHOOD SITUATION OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY FROM CHOHI WATERSHED, MAREKA DISTRICT IN DAWRO, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Sustainable watershed resource management process is responsible for enhancing agriculture productivity thereby provide alternative livelihood opportunity to rural community. This study assessed Watershed Management and Livelihood Situation of the Rural Community. Particularly watershed management methods of SWC measures of physical, biological and agronomic practices were pertinent to enhance agriculture based livelihoods. For surveying to reach 119 (28%) household head sample size, sampling formula and systematic random sampling techniques was employed, and 50 percent of DAs and experts randomly selected and interviewed. Data tools like household survey, observation and literature review also employed to attain the research objectives. Based on their indicators a high proportion of those surveyed, interviewed and observation concluded that soil bund, crop rotation, residue management, and also area closure measures were undertaken to manage watershed resource. However, weak biological treatment to stabilize physical structures, absence of appropriate physical SWC structures and its management gaps caused for the reduction of agriculture productivity from time to time. Livestock income become primary and followed by crop. Besides, alternative livelihood income not diversified, rather on-farm based income often dominated in the watershed. The provision of loan contributed to household to buy improved seed and chemical fertilizers, however, crop productivity still reducing from time to time. There is a need for awareness creation and for monitoring the correct management of existing SWC measures to ensure that they function as intended, and to improve rural livelihood. These can reduce the problem of agriculture production reduction, and also provide opportunity to meet alternative livelihood.