Projects

Water scarcity, a pressing global concern, is most acutely felt by the farming communities in arid and semi-arid regions in northern Ethiopia, Amhara regions, who rely on consistent rainwater availability to sustain their livelihoods and feed their family.  As climate change exacerbates, the aridity of these regions and unpredictable rainfall patterns become the norm; these farmers are left grappling with decreasing yields and an uncertain future. Despite the challenges, Yotor believes it is possible with concerted efforts and targeted initiatives to create a lifeline for these farmers. Our cause, hydrating the arid, and helping foster a sustainable future for farmers, aims to address this issue by harnessing innovative agricultural techniques, effective water management strategies, and sustainable infrastructure development. We intend to offer long-term solutions to empower farmers in arid regions, fortifying them against the harsh realities of their environment and ensuring their ability to contribute to the region’s food security. While Yotor partners to work with the farmers to find a long-term solution, it intends to focus on the short-term goals of alleviating the water shortage. By providing access to clean water, Yotor contributes to improving public health and reducing waterborne diseases. This initiative also eases the burden on women and children, who often must travel long distances to fetch water from distant sources. That is to focus on pumping underground water for growing crops and household use. By utilizing groundwater for irrigation purposes, farmers will be able to grow food in dryer months. That includes arid and semi-arid regions. This promotes sustainable agriculture and empowers local farmers to improve their livelihoods. Farmers can diversify their crops, increase yields, and enhance their economic prospects with water supplies from the ground. At the same time, working towards finding a sustainable water source. Groundwater reserves are generally more drought-resistant than surface water sources, allowing for more reliable farming even in adverse weather conditions. The infrastructure for groundwater extraction, such as boring wells, is comparatively cheaper and easier to install than large irrigation canals or reservoirs. Rain is dependent on seasonal variations, while groundwater is consistent. A cautious and judicious use of the groundwater should be exercised, not significantly deplete the groundwater supply. While groundwater is there for farming, using rainwater and storing rainwater is another alternative to our approach. Rainwater harvesting and planting in aid and semi-arid areas are crucial to providing water for both plants and replenishing underground water tables. In these regions where rainfall can be scarce and sporadic, efficient collection and usage of rainwater can significantly affect agriculture and overall water availability. This practice can also help mitigate the erosion of topsoil caused by rainwater, preserving the fertility and productivity of the land. Some steps could be taken as a guide on how to do this as follows.

1. rainwater harvesting is collecting and storing rainwater for later use. It can be done in various ways, including using roof catchments that direct rainwater into storage tanks or underground catchments where rainwater can percolate into the soil directly. 

2. Swells and contour trenches in the landscape you can dig contour trenches or swells shallow, wide trenches dug along the contour of the land. These trenches will collect rainwater and slow its movement giving it time to infiltrate into the soil. This is an effective method for producing and increasing the groundwater recharge rate

3. Terracing is another effective method for both water harvesting and soil conservation. The terraces reduce water runoff speed, allowing for more water infiltration into the soil and less soil erosion.

4. Planting suitable crops immediately after the rain ensures they utilize the water stored in the soil.

5. Use deep-rooted plants that can access water deep in the soil. To prevent water evaporation from the soil, use mulching. Mulching covers the soil, reducing evaporation, suppressing weeds, and improving soil health.

6. Use of cover crops and green manures. These plants are grown to cover the soil and then tilt back in. They help reduce erosion and improve soil structure and organic matter in the ground.

7. Use of cover crops and green manures: plants grown to cover the soil and then tilled back in. They help to reduce soil erosion, improve soil structure, improve moisture retention, and add organic matter to the soil. As many of these crops are nitrogen fixers, pulling nitrogen from the atmosphere and storing it in their roots.

8. Keyline plowing: This method follows the land’s contours to slow down water run-offs and promotes its absorption into the soil.

9. The percolation pits: These are pics dug into the ground and filled with coarse aggregate to promote rainwater infiltration into the environment. They help replenish the groundwater table.

10. Check dams. Small dams are constructed across drainage ditches or waterways to counter erosion by reducing water flow velocity. They also help in groundwater recharge.

Implementing these strategies will depend not only on the landscape but also on the rainfall distribution in each area, soil type, and the type of crops being grown. It is also important to note that rainwater harvesting systems should be maintained regularly to ensure their effectiveness and longevity. In the long run, it is believed that implementing these methods can be a cost-effective and sustainable solution to water scarcity in semi-arid regions, enhancing water security, promoting crop growth, and replenishing groundwater levels. It could be an excellent strategy for farmers and those involved in rural agriculture to mitigate the impact of climate change and increase agricultural productivity. The Yotor Farmers Association considers this its flagship project and intends to work tirelessly to make this a reality. As a result, it has launched a groundwater extraction project in one farming district in the Amhara region. The following actions will be taken to achieve this goal:

• Yotor will work with donors and responsible parties in the region and the community to dig for underground water sources to provide drinkable water and support irrigation needs in Central Gonder Zone, Wogera Woreda, Taga Kebele, within Gezewuye and Gichit Villages. To achieve this goal, Yotor has conducted geological, hydrological, and geophysical feasibility assessments to identify areas with high potential for groundwater availability.
• Currently, we are mobilizing resources; we are acquiring and importing water-drilling Heavy Machinery with the potential of digging up to 300 Meters.
• Governmental entities from the kebele level to the Regional Bureau know the project and have given tremendous support.
• We have organized the farmers. They have understood the project’s goal and committed to the fullest for its success.
• We contracted a hydrogeologist who is committed to overseeing the project.
• We plan to commence during the fall season of 2023. And we expect the whole project to end in a year and hope to tap into the underground water reserves.