SUSTAINABLE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT IN IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: THE CASE OF INDRIS WATERSHED SIBU SIRE DESTRICT, WESTERN OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Land degradation leads to decline crop land productivity affect the agricultural production of rural farmers of Ethiopia as well as a country’s ability to produce. It is one of the major challenges for agricultural production in Ethiopia similarly in study area. In recognition to this, different watershed management practice was introduced to combat the problem but effectiveness and sustainability of this practice was below expectations. Hence, this study attempt to investigate sustainable watershed management in increasing agricultural production: The case of Indris watershed, The study deal with assess the implementation of watershed management, agricultural productions, the contribution of watershed management in increasing agricultural productions, to identify the challenges of sustainable watershed management and to identify the policy and institutional related constraints of watershed management. 4 Kebles were purposively selected, two from the upper course where poor watershed management and two kebeles from the lower course where good watershed management in Indris watershed. Survey questionnaires were administered for 187randomly selected sample households and 7 key informants for interview. The qualitative data were analyzed in the form of narration whereas quantitative data were tabulated and the results were summarized by using frequencies and percentage in form of tables, figures and T-test analysis results were applied using SPSS version 20. The major finding of this study shown that lack of communities participation, nonsustainable watershed management due to lack of awareness, Bio-physical, socio-economic and political challenges, little technical support and training, and lack of coordination between government and communitiesSome possible recommendations were forwarded including training for Development Agents and other stakeholders in allocating the necessary resources for the program to change the livelihoods of communities in the study area by generating income from on farm and off farm activities, establishing community watershed management institution and giving thecontinuous supportm