Fincha'a Integrated Watershed Management Project

The Fincha'a sub-basin measures 4,089 km² in area, and is part of the Abbay (Blue Nile) River Basin located in the Central Ethiopian Highlands. The sub-basin is located in Horo Gudru Wellega Zone of Amhara Regional State. The sub-basin is characterized by high elevations (2000 – 3200 m amsl in most parts), steep slopes, high rainfall intensity that generates considerable runoff, intensive cultivation, overgrazing and deforestation. These characteristics, and the use of inefficient traditional farming methods and growing human population on naturel resources lead to soil erosion, soil fertility decline, water scarcity and deepening poverty.

The objectives of the Fincha'a project are fourfold, to: (a) improve natural resources management through sustainable land management practices; (b) improve agricultural productivity by introducing improved crop and livestock technologies; (c) enhance Institutional capacity through various capacity building activities; and (d) diversify the livelihoods of local communities with a focus on women and youth by introducing different off-farm activities. The project as three components on sustainable land management, livelihoods support, and institution capacity building.

The project was identified in 2007 under the Cooperative Regional Assessment (CRA) of the Eastern Nile Watershed Management Project (ENWM), which was itself part of the Integrated Development of the Eastern Nile. Full feasibility and project preparation studies were completed in 2012 under the Project Delineation and Prioritization study supported under the NBI Institutional Strengthening Project (ISP). Both phases of the studies were funded by the Nile Basin Trust Fund.

The Fincha'a sub-basin measures 4,089 km² in area, and is part of the Abbay (Blue Nile) River Basin located in the Central Ethiopian Highlands. The sub-basin is located in Horo Gudru Wellega Zone of Amhara Regional State. The sub-basin is characterized by high elevations (2000 – 3200 m amsl in most parts), steep slopes, high rainfall intensity that generates considerable runoff, intensive cultivation, overgrazing and deforestation. These characteristics, and the use of inefficient traditional farming methods and growing human population on naturel resources lead to soil erosion, soil fertility decline, water scarcity and deepening poverty.

The objectives of the Fincha'a project are fourfold, to: (a) improve natural resources management through sustainable land management practices; (b) improve agricultural productivity by introducing improved crop and livestock technologies; (c) enhance Institutional capacity through various capacity building activities; and (d) diversify the livelihoods of local communities with a focus on women and youth by introducing different off-farm activities. The project as three components on sustainable land management, livelihoods support, and institution capacity building.

The project was identified in 2007 under the Cooperative Regional Assessment (CRA) of the Eastern Nile Watershed Management Project (ENWM), which was itself part of the Integrated Development of the Eastern Nile. Full feasibility and project preparation studies were completed in 2012 under the Project Delineation and Prioritization study supported under the NBI Institutional Strengthening Project (ISP). Both phases of the studies were funded by the Nile Basin Trust Fund.

The objectives of the Fincha'a project are fourfold, to: (a) improve natural resources management through sustainable land management practices; (b) improve agricultural productivity by introducing improved crop and livestock technologies; (c) enhance Institutional capacity through various capacity building activities; and (d) diversify the livelihoods of local communities with a focus on women and youth by introducing different off-farm activities. The project has three components on sustainable land management, livelihoods support, and institution capacity building.