Effects of Community Based Watershed Management on Rural Livelihoods: The Case of Lume Woreda, East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, natural resource degradation is worsening and posing significant risks, especially to the livelihoods of rural communities. Community-based watershed management is fundamental for managing natural resource degradation and minimizing its associated risks on the livelihoods of rural communities. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of community-based micro watershed management on rural livelihoods. The study used descriptive survey research design to achieve the intended objectives and employed quantitative and qualitative data. The total sample size of 251 respondents was taken using a systematic random sampling technique from a study population of 2595 households inhabited in four selected Kebeles. A questionnaire, interviews, field observation, and document analysis were used to collect the data. Besides, statistical methods such as percentage of frequencies, mean, standard deviation, bar graphs, paired sample t-test, and chi-square test were used in data analysis. Results show that there was a statistically significant difference in crop productivity before and after interventions of community-based watershed management practices (p= 0.05). The findings also demonstrated that the livelihoods of the rural community were improved in terms of food availability, income, annual saving capability, and household affordability for medical care. Qualitative data results also proved that the trend of community-based micro watershed management adoption, different activities were consistently practiced by the community and demonstrated an improvement in area coverage for conservation structures. Consequently, the household heads gained knowledge and experience via the process, enabling them to have a favorable perspective on watershed management measures and their impacts. Contrarily, the result added that some challenges were observed in reducing the improvement of livelihoods, such as lack of management and maintenance of previously conserved micro watersheds, less protection of conserved watersheds from animal and human interference, inadequate follow-up, and low integration between sectors. It can be concluded that intervention in watershed management significantly improved the rural community’s livelihoods. It is recommended that improvement in the practice of community-based watershed management is necessary. Therefore, the agriculture and natural resource management office of the woreda should mobilize and coordinate the community and other relevant resources. These actions are also vital for addressing the challenges observed in the watershed management activities.