Activity Delivery Report for the Months of May and June, 2012

1: Project Information/Summary

1.1: Project title: ‘’Enhancing communities’ adaptive capacity to climate change in drought-prone hotspots of the Blue Nile Basin in Ethiopia’’.

1.2: Project starting date: November 2011

1.3: Project completion date: October 2012

1.4: Reporting period: Two month (May to June 2012)

2: Detailed Reporting

1.  / Introduction of early maturing improved crop varieties and seed systems / ·  Two varieties of potato (Jalenie (18 quintals) and Gudenie 52 quintals) distributed by Wollo University and two varieties (Gorbella and Gerra) 10 quintals each by SARC. 120 households (15 female headed and 105 male headed farmers) were benefited
·  Pre – scaling up of bread wheat (Dinknesh), food barley (Agegnehu), Faba bean (Vicia faba) and field pea (Pisum sativum) varieties were on progress.
·  Wheat and barley varieties planted during the short rainy season (Belg) were harvested.
·  A total of 324 kg of wheat and barley each crop were distributed for 23 farmers (14.1kg/individual/crop) and planted during the main season (Meher)
·  Field pea varieties (senke and Ade) were distributed to 19 selected farmer (10 kg/ individual) and planted during the Meher season.
·  Faba bean varieties (Lalo and Dageme) were distributed for 12 selected farmers (28 kg/individual) and planted during the meher season.
·  Purchasing and distribution of 50 kg oat, 12 kg vetch grass, 97 kg tree Lucerne and 2.5 kg alfalfa was completed / The distribution system was in a form of revolving fund
2.  / Introduction and Evaluation of yield Performance of different trees, forage Grass and Legume species on hillsides, homesteads, farm boundaries and gullies / ·  250 seedlings of 5 different species and 20 bamboo seedlings placed at the nursery site to check the adaptability.
·  Twelve volunteer farmers having a total area of more than 1.5 ha of land was selected
·  1.5 quintals of vetch seed was made available at SARC and will be transported for transportation by next week.
·  At kabe nursery site 500m2 (20mx25m) area of land was made available for demonstration of the adaptability and yield performance of different forage species. / Farmers were selected from the established Farmers, Researchers and Extension Group (FREG).
3.  / Participatory evaluation and demonstration of two different types of Rope and Washer pumps technologies at Kabe Watershed. / ·  Two rope and washer pumps were provided and demonstrated and tested in one of shallow wells.
·  Practical training on the use, maintenance and installation of rope and washer pumps was given.
4.  / Participatory Evaluation of Family Drip Technology. / ·  Six farmers were selected based on water availability.
·  The material was made available at SARC and will be installed by the end of the rainy season (September) / Farmers were selected from the established Farmers, Researchers and Extension Group (FREG).
5.  / Participatory evaluation and Demonstration of inorganic fertilizers / ·  On farm demonstration of fertilizer application (N and P) at recommended rate has been carried out in 8 farmer’s field (area of 9x25 m2) using wheat and barley improved varieties.
·  Awareness creation on the management of fertilizer trail was given to farmers
·  Plantation was done following the on-set of the rain. / Farmers were selected from the established Farmers, Researchers and Extension Group (FREG).
6.  / Participatory Evaluation of Different In-situ Water Harvesting Structures / ·  Different in situ water harvesting structures (170 eyebrow basins, 30 modified tranches and 100 normal pits) were prepared to improve the survival rate of seedlings in the hill slops / All labor works was covered by community participation
7.  / Introduction of alternate energy sources / ·  Fuel wood consumption data at household level was collected and analyzed.
8.  / Introduction and evaluation of pre weaning growth performance of Awassi cross breed / ·  Selection of a suitable village for ram distribution and arrangement of households (farmers) with their neighbours based on their flock size were made
·  Awareness creation for farmers was made on the special merits and management needs of the breed
·  13 rams (Awassi breed) were bought from Guguftu sheep breeding center and distributed to 13 farmer groups
·  Medication (for internal and external parasites) was given to sheep owned by each group
Activities / Outputs
(For example, meetings, publications, training, technical information, technical cooperation and so on) / Status (Complete / current) / Comments
9.  / Water related activities
·  Spring development
·  Construction of shallow wells
·  Construction of water harvesting structures / ·  Construction of two spring development was completed.
·  Four shallow wells pit was dug but only one shallow well was covered by slaves and the rest three will be completed soon).
·  Two water harvesting structures (one at FTC and one at individual level named (Awole Ali) are progressing well, will be completed- end of July.
·  All labor work and locally available materials were covered by the community whereas the cost for cement, iron bar, pipe, sand and gravel was covered by the project. / Farmers Field School (FTC)
10.  / Home garden related activities
(Vegetable seed and apple seedlings purchase and distribution) / ·  Carrot, cabbage and Swiss chard Seeds, 2 kg each, and 8 quintals and one quintals of shallot and garlic bulb respectively was purchased and distributed
·  Site selection, field layout and plantation of all vegetable seeds were completed.
·  600 Apple seedlings were purchased from Chencha Kalehiwot church and ready for distribution
·  Plantation pit and compost preparation at individual level (12 pits per individual) was completed.
·  A total of 50 households were benefited
11.  / Soil and water conservation (SWC) and Agro-Forestry practices / ·  Different physical soil and water conservation activities in selected sub-watersheds were completed.
·  One gabion retention was completed
·  A total of 21261 farmers were participated for two months (natural resource campaign)
·  Raising of different tree and forage seedlings at nursery level was completed at Korbancha and Mekanesilassie tree nursery.
·  Provision of indegineous tree seedlings (Asta) from Borena Saint Park was on progress
·  Purchasing of 900 bamboo seedlings from Kosober was completed by WU. / ·  Community free labour participation estimated was 297, 654 Br. (17, 008.8 USD)
·  Plantation is started following the onset of the rain.
·  Plantation will be started in a week time
12.  / Capacity building / ·  Consensus building on collective action and awareness creation workshop for 600 farmers was conducted.
Ø  Discussion and agreement with the community was reached to stop free grazing.
·  By-law to ‘’stop free grazing’’ was prepared
·  Different meetings and visits with partners were held at woreda and watershed level to provide technical support.
Ø  Discussion on the community participation, selection of farmers’ research group, supervision of ongoing activities and technical support was given at different time.
·  On-farm training for potato producing farmers was completed
·  Eight training modules prepared
·  80 farmers were trained based on the prepared modules
2.2. If the project activities and outputs listed in the project work plan for the reporting period have not been completed and/or changes/delays in project delivery are expected, provide reasons and details of remedial action to be taken
Provision of alternate energy sources was delayed due to lengthy purchasing process. It is will be delivered in August 2012.
Three shallow wells were not completed yet due to delay in purchasing of cement and iron bar. Two shallow wells will be completed within two weeks.
In order to get satisfactory discharge rate, one shallow well completion was postponed to the end of the rainy season.
One night storage dam construction was planned but not started due to early on-set of the rain and postponed to the end of the rain season (September). All necessary materials are available.
Training of extension workers was not carried out according to the plan due to their engagement in some other government activities and planned to carry out at the end of July and early August, 2012.
The second session of farmers training was not done due to farmer’s engagement in Meher planting activities and planned to carry put in early August, 2012.
Policy brief in progress because most of the activities were performed during the last two months and planned in September 2012.
2.3: If the project conducted inception seminar, training workshop; public sensitization meeting at local, district or national levels, please complete the Table below
Category of Participants / Senior local government Officials / Local government Extension Staff / Local Government; Opinion Leaders; Community Leaders / Academia and Research / Private Sector (inclu. Media) / Civil Society Organizations (NGO, CBOs, etc) / Women Groups / Youth Reps. / International and Development Organizations / Total
Activity

Consensus building on collective action and awareness creation workshop

/

4

/ 5 / 15 / 7 / 31

Community workshop at watershed level

/ 1 / 3 / 8 / 9 / 21
Meetings and visits with partners at different occasions / 3 / 6 / 5 / 6 / 20
Activity
Activity

3: Work Plan

3.1:Planned Activities:
Activities / Period
§  Watershed mapping / September
§  Plantation of tree seedlings / July
§  Provision of indigenous tree seedlings, apple and bamboo seedlings / July
§  Second session farmers training / August
§  Reporting and presentation of socio-economic survey results / August
§  Data collection and follow up of on-farm trials / July-October
§  Gully rehabilitation / July
§  Installation of family drip irrigation devices / September-October
§  Follow up of distributed sheep breeds / July-October
§  Forage seed distribution / July
§  Final reporting of all activities / October