Synthesis of Existing Knowledge and Experience on the Provision of ...

Although the WSDP principles are set nationally, targets in the Water Supply <strong>and</strong> Sanitation subsectorare developed regionally, largely based on population projections.Pastoralists (termed nomadic people in the document) are mentioned occasionally. Althoughpastoralists are mentioned, the WSDP goes into little detail regarding their particular needs <strong>and</strong> howthese should be addressed. The provision <strong>of</strong> water for livestock in nomadic areas is listed as one <strong>of</strong>six priorities, although this is not elaborated upon. However, issues <strong>of</strong> participation are explicitlymentioned (Box 6).Box 6: Participation under WSDP, 2002WSDP 2002 recognizes that public sector-led approach to water development “is usually carried out without theinvolvement <strong>of</strong> the people for whom services <strong>and</strong> facilities are being provided or constructed. This unfortunately meansthat the people least concerned address the sustainability <strong>of</strong> the provided services…<strong>and</strong> does not allow communities toadjust the blueprints developed by the public sector institutions to reflect their needs”. It also recognizes that therepresentative approach, driven by the political agenda <strong>of</strong> elected <strong>of</strong>ficials is also not ideal. Elected representatives“cannot plan <strong>and</strong> implement day-to-day economic activities <strong>of</strong> communities” <strong>and</strong> that their approach is <strong>of</strong>ten politicalrather than consensual, whereas “consensus must be a pre-requisite <strong>of</strong> development at community level”. Therefore a‘participatory approach’ is encouraged through the involvement <strong>of</strong> community organizations so that systems <strong>of</strong> localgovernance, development administration <strong>and</strong> resource mobilization should work effectively.The Water Supply <strong>and</strong> Sanitation Development Program (WSSDP)As part <strong>of</strong> the WSDP, the WSSDP promotes stakeholder participation in the planning, design,implementation, rehabilitation, operation <strong>and</strong> maintenance <strong>of</strong> water supply schemes. Majorstakeholders include federal <strong>and</strong> regional government, local communities, the private sector, <strong>and</strong>NGOs.Separate arrangements are made for domestic <strong>and</strong> livestock needs in the pastoral lowl<strong>and</strong>s. Use <strong>of</strong>domestic water for livestock is not encouraged, <strong>and</strong> only when no natural sources are availablenearby (springs, rivers, lakes, ponds) then cattle troughs are constructed at domestic water sources.Otherwise, specialized constructions such as ponds are planned.Different water developments are planned for different regions mostly focused on hardwareconstruction. Types <strong>of</strong> water points selected for human water supply mainly rely on groundwaterresources; including deep wells, h<strong>and</strong> dug wells, <strong>and</strong> spring development for Afar, Oromiya, SNNPR,<strong>and</strong> Somali, with additional interventions like river-based water schemes <strong>and</strong> dams cited for Somali.For livestock, planned interventions include birkad <strong>and</strong> ponds as well as shallow wells, h<strong>and</strong> dugwells, spring development <strong>and</strong> deep wells for SNNPR.The Irrigation Development Program (IDP)Irrigation schemes in Ethiopia fall under 4 broad categories: 1) Traditional small scale schemes <strong>of</strong> upto 100 ha established <strong>and</strong> operated by farmers with government support. These tend to be managedby community water users’ associations h<strong>and</strong>ling construction, water allocation, operation <strong>and</strong>maintenance; 2) Modern communal schemes <strong>of</strong> up to 200 ha established by government with farmerparticipation, meant to support livelihoods through the production <strong>of</strong> market oriented crops,irrigated via simple river <strong>and</strong> stream diversion techniques, <strong>and</strong> managed by water users’ associationswith technical support in some regions from zonal departments <strong>of</strong> agriculture, water <strong>and</strong> irrigation;3) Modern private schemes <strong>of</strong> up 2000 ha owned <strong>and</strong> operated by private investors (e.g. irrigationprojects in the Upper Awash established in the 50s <strong>and</strong> 60s), located primarily in Oromia, SNNPR<strong>and</strong> Afar regions; <strong>and</strong> 4) large scale public schemes <strong>of</strong> over 3000 ha owned <strong>and</strong> operated by thestate, most <strong>of</strong> which are concentrated in Afar region, followed by Oromia, SNNPR <strong>and</strong> Somaliregions respectively. Small-scale community driven agriculture <strong>and</strong> large scale state led enterprisesdominate the irrigation sector in Ethiopia, followed by modern small to medium size schemes. 83%51