Participatory Identification of Major Natural Resource Constraints and Potentials Under Koka-Lewate Watershed, Tembaro Woreda, Kambata Tambaro Zone of Southern Ethiopia

Koka-Lewate watershed is located in the Tambaro district of Southern Ethiopia and it is about 328 km and 185 km far from Addis Ababa and Hawassa respectively. It was selected by a virtual team (team of researchers from a natural resource, crop science, livestock, and socioeconomic departments) organized from Areka Agricultural Research Center, Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI). It was selected for its high level of degradation, minimal intervention and high amount of sediment load contribution on the Gibe III hydroelectric power dam. This study aimed to identify and prioritize natural resource constraints of the watershed and to document reports as baseline information for comparison after project implementation. Data for this study were collected from primary and secondary sources. The study catchment is characterized by intensive. The study revealed, soil erosion is severe and caused damage to house, inputs, and farmland fragmentation. Human and livestock damaged by a flood during the heavy storm were also reported. Intensive rainfall in combination with steep slope cultivation, lack of fallowing and deforestation were the prime causes of soil erosion. Soil fertility degradation is the major crop production constraint of the catchment which accounts for 97.9%. Mainly it is devastated by soil erosion, lack of fallowing, and intensive cultivation. The result shows that topography, skill gap, and inaccessibility of technology limited irrigation practice in the watershed. Furthermore, forest resources are deteriorating at an alarming rate owing to rapid population growth and agricultural land expansion.