INTEGRATED WATER SHED MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES AND PRACTICES IN GORCHE WAREDA, SIDAMA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA.

ABSTRACT This study assessed the major challenges and practices of integrated watershed management in Gorche Woreda, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. The study was based on descriptive survey and followed cross sectional design encompassing both qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 226 sample respondents were selected through systematic random sampling. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected by questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussion and own field observation. The secondary data were collected from internet sources and document file records and reports. The collected data were analyzed by quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative data were analyzed by using simple descriptive statistics such as percentages; frequency and charts and Qualitative data were analyzed through interpretation and conceptual generalization. Both data were integrated as necessary and findings of the study were presented through description measure using tables, figures and diagrams by using SPSS version 23 and Arc GIS 10.3. Besides, Maps and photograph were used to supplement qualitative data of the area. The findings of this study indicate that the study of IWM faced various social, economic, institutional and implementation problems that hinder the effective performances of IWM and development program. Of which deforestation, overgrazing, continuous plows, less contact between agricultural experts and farmers are the major determinants. Furthermore, poor education status of the respondents and farmers lack awareness of carrying responsibilities is the other challenging factors for the implementation of IWM practices. For that reason, limited training and technical support of agricultural experts or DAs, poor planning and identification of problems, lack of proper follow-up, lack of organization, proper implementation problems, lack of coordination between farmers and DAs, lack of support from NGOs, limited use of proper management techniques for varying landscape, administrative problems and failure of the committee in mobilizing the community are the main institutional and implementation constraints in the study area. Therefore, the WARDO and every concerned stakeholder should take into consideration the social, economic, institutional and implementation constraints affected the effective functioning of IWM program.