Project 5: Soil FertilityThe sustainable use of soil resources of the Gilgel Gibe watershed

Current project status presented by Jan Diels

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

14 local team members currently (1 PhD, 9 MSc, 4 BSc)Started with 10 real members (12 on paper)1 member (deputy PL) left Jimma University5 new members joined (3 in 2007, 2 in 2008) 3 of the current members are enrolled in an MSc abroad with external funding (1 in Gent with thesis research within the project; 2 elsewhere without any connection to the project)One member started local PhD program

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

8 Flemish team membersEric Van Ranst, UGentJozef Deckers, K.U.LeuvenGerard Govers, K.U.LeuvenJean Poesen, K.U.LeuvenStefaan De Neve, UGentOswald Van Cleemput, UGentPascal Boeckx UGentJan Diels, K.U.Leuven

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Project ObjectivesOverall objectives:Academic: A research and teaching centre of excellence in integrated soil fertility management is established at JUCAVMDevelopmental: Land productivity in the Gilgel Gibe catchment area is improved through integrated soil fertility management systems, and the lifespan of the Gilgel Gibe hydroelectric power plant is extended by minimizing sediment deposition in the reservoir.

Specific objectives:Academic: The research capacity of JUCAVM to develop agricultural technologies that improve soil fertility is strengthenedDevelopmental: none (planned for Phase 2)

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Project Concept and TimingYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5

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Assessment of the soil characteristics and the spatial distribution of soils in the Gilgel Gibe watershed

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Jimma-Dedo transect

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Identifying sediment sources and making sediment budget of Gilgel Gibe dam catchment

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Gilgel Gibe river at Assendabo (bridge Jimma-Addis road)

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Typical landscape near Dedo in SeptemberWhere does sediment come from?

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Landscape in FebruarySheet and rill erosion important when rains start?

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Confluence of contrasting rivers south of Dedo- right-hand river affected by a landslide

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Runout zone of large landslide South of Dedo - clay from weathered trachite - trigger?

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

ReservoirJimma

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No obvious trend in Gligel Gibe discharge rate at Assendabo bridge

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Improved cereal-grain legume cropping systems

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Maize-teff farmingsystem near NadaSecondary forest on steep slopes

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Horse bean: food + feedBiological nitrogen fixationRotation effects

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2008 Horse bean variety screening trial near Dedo town (Amsalu Nebiyu)

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P fertilizer beyond reach of the farmers?

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Capacity building

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Equipment procurement for soil and plant analysis= purchased on AP2007Lab equipment on Soil Fertility project: 37,000Lab equipment on World Bank grant: 92,000 (133,000$)

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Short term trainingEndelkachew Kissi: Followed course on free and open source geomatics tools (KULeuven, 1 Month, August 2008)Tsega Sime: being trained in soil and plant analysis methods (KULeuven, 3 Months, September-November 2008)Abraham Bantirgu: being trained in use of geomatics tools (KULeuven, 3 Months, August-October 2008)

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Candidates selected for MSc/PhD fellowshipAmsalu NebiyiCereal-grain legume systems, N&P management(Predoc UGent starts 8 October 2008)Endelkachew Kissi Sediment sources in Gilgel Gibe catchment(Predoc KULeuven starts 13 October 2008)Not selectedAbebayehu Aticho(MSc Hawassa University: starts in October 2008)Thesis research on soil nutrient balances?

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Ongoing MSc thesis research (students UGent)Aleyamehu Regassa(promoter Erik Van Ranst, Ugent)Niels Jacob(promoter Pascal Boeckx, Ugent)

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Are we on track?Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Literature review, soil survey, soil quality assessment started, sediment monitoring (PhD Endelkachew) will soon start; other activities yet to startGrain Legume screening trial started; further research covered in PhD research AmsaluOn track (short term training + MSc + PhD + equipment)

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SWOT analysis and suggestions

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StrengthsStrong motivation of MSc and PhD candidatesMost Jimma team members already have an MScStrong involvement of Flemish team membersMultidisciplinary teams (Jimma and Flemish side)Integration of research activities (project concept)No conflicts in Jimma team so far

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

WeaknessesLack of local ownership of project objectives and concept: project is rather seen as funding mechanism for equipment and fellowshipsLack of commitment for research activities that do not fit into MSc/PhD programme Lack of lab space in Jimma, no lab technician, no experience with lab management and procurement of chemicals/glasswarePoor team work and project coordination in Jimma so far

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

OpportunitiesScope for large impact (human capacity building at JU + beneficiaries in Gilgel Gibe catchment)MSc thesis students from Flemish universities support PhD research in JimmaSoil lab equipment being purchased on World Bank grant (133,000.- USD)Links with Land project of Mekelle-IUC (sediment monitoring, procurement of chemicals, NIR spectrometry)Links with Child Health and Nutrition (introduction of grain legumes), Environmental Health and Ecology (land use changes), Research Coordination (GIS), and Animal Nutrition (diagnostic surveys, fodder from legumes)

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ThreatsTeam members may leave JU after obtaining short-term or MSc/PhD trainingTeam members who are not selected for PhD grant may leave the projectLack of local project management capacity (project planning, budget planning and monitoring)Lack of good communication skillsLogistic constraints (local procurement, cars for field work)

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Suggestions towards Jimma-IUC programme management Purchase at least 2 additional cars (pick-up, 4WD)Organize training in project management in Jimma (budget planning and expenditure monitoring; project planning)Engage in discussion with JU management on:strategy for retaining staff after they received traininghow do team members get credit for their achievements other than through academic degrees (reports and publications, impact in project area, creation of lab facilities, )Establish Jimma-IUC report seriesLook into local procurement of chemicals, glassware, small equipment, with Mr. Jemal and Dr. KoraFirst invest in very basic lab facilities and skills before aiming at more advanced thingsOrganize similar meeting of local team members in Jimma (project presentations by local PLs; discussions on collaboration between projects)

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC

Thanks .

Meeting Flemish team members of Jimma-IUC