Model Climate Smart Village Project Field Visit

A field visit to the Climate Smart Village (CSV) project in Debub Mecha Woreda, Amhara Region was made on Saturday, 22nd May, 2021. The project has been undertaken by BNWI/BDU in collaboration with Addis Ababa University for the last three years (2018 -2021) in Semen and Debub Mecha Woredas with the objective of establishing model villages that can withstand the impact of climate change and continue to grow economically. 

About 50 people from Bahir Dar University, Debub Mecha Woreda Administration and Agricultural Offices and other agencies took part in the field visit the purpose of which was to share the lessons and experiences learned in the project

The project in Kondela micro watershed, Birhan Chora Kebele of Debub Mecha Woreda focused on gully rehabilitation, area closure and introduction of furit and vegetable farming to improve livelihood of the local people. It was very interesting to observe during the visit that flow of a stream in the project village has significantly increased because of the gully rehabilitation and area closure and the local people were able to use this stream for small-scale irrigation even during the dry season. The importance of local knowledge, local bylaws and continuous monitoring in the process of putting into effect the observed fruitful development efforts were shown. And it was also interesting to see how thankful the local people were to the project coordinator, Dr. Mintesinot Azene, and the local development agent, Mr. Minyichil Abita, for their committment and dedication to work.