PERFORMANCE AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF SMALL SCALE WATER HARVESTING TECHNOLOGIES IN SNNP REGION

Abstract

In SNNP Region a total of approximately 56022 ponds were constructed in the last few years. From the result of this study 54% from the total ponds have already totally failed and around 6% of the ponds performing below their capacity. The study in the region is conducted to find out the causes of success and failure of the structures and their impact on food self sufficiency in the region. For identifying the problem in depth representative sample structures were selected from the selected woredas with in the zone or from different agro ecologicjal zones. Data for the study was collected using questionnaires and interviews with experts ^and farmers at different levels a stratified random sample of hundred farmersjwas chosen in the woreda. Based on the information from the farmers and the field visit the major factors that affect the success and failure of the water harvesting programme are construction, water storage and the soft were aspects of utilization of harvested water, cropping, input services and marketing are the major piibblems. Implementing the programme in a pilot package form and good way of monitoring and evaluating techniques would help to improve the quality and to adjust the previous mistakes and the programme should be done with some modifications and flexibility. It is important to change a top down (quotas) planning approach the farmers initiative and decision making actions should be taken into consideration from farmers concerning the most appropriate technologies for the given local circumstances.