Notes to broadcasters
The land, which serves as a versatile foundation for life, has been impacted by ongoing land degradation that has affected over 1.5 billion hectares and negatively impacts 1.2 billion people globally.
Physical land degradation is grave in Sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopia; 85 per cent of the land is degraded to various degrees, and the recent degradation is more rapid than in previous decades. Specifically, the highland region, once a home of rich biodiversity, altered to hotspot of ongoing physical land degradation. Several factors may contribute to the degradation. These include centuries of cultivation, the clearing of forests and woodlands, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, unsustainable farming practices (both extensification and intensification), high population pressure, fragmented landholding, sloping terrain, and challenges related to water security.
In return, the region is currently providing lower ecosystem services and goods than its potential, and its extreme vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change has led to a steady decline in agricultural productivity. However, recent government and community-driven initiatives in watershed and riverbank agriculture are emerging as promising livelihood and food security strategies for millions of farmers, particularly for resource-poor women.
Many farmers are increasingly relying on riverbank agriculture as a source of income, especially by cultivating water-loving vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and flood-tolerant crops such as rice.
Future watershed management activities, including closures and rotational grazing, are showing positive signs of rehabilitating and restoring previously degraded lands. This is particularly true for the farming community along the Bale and Guge escarpment, which lies within the Tikurewuha River catchment—a catchment that feeds Lake Hawassa year-round and supports a community of riverbank farmers who maintain healthy rivers and ensure sustainable livelihoods.
If you decide to use this radio script as inspiration for your own program, you could talk to farmers and experts and ask them the following questions:
- How is climate change evolving and shaping your riverbank agriculture?
- Which effective water management strategies, riverbank protection methods, and watershed management practices are being implemented in the Tikurwuha River catchment and its surrounding environment?
- How are farmers balancing production along riverbanks while preventing erosion in the Tikurwuha River catchment?
- What is the impact of implementing the practices described in the text in your community?
Length of program, including intro and extro: 30 to 35 minutes.
Script
Script
SIG TUNE UP, THEN FADE OUT
HOST :
Hello, dear listeners! I recently spoke with Mrs. Wonasho Talamo and Seboatu Gemeda, two women practicing sustainable riverbank farming in the Tikurewuha catchment. They shared how they grow water-loving vegetables and flood-tolerant crops like rice, while helping protect the riverbanks and manage the watershed to prevent erosion and pollution. We also discussed water access, wetland restoration, and community resilience around Lake Hawassa. Additionally, I spoke with experts Mr. Moka Shiferaw, Mr. Zelalem Boru, and Mr. Docalo Amona, who shared insights on successful water management and community-led efforts supporting food production. Now, let’s hear from our guests.
HOST :
How are agricultural practices, including food production and water management, evolving in the Tikurwuha River catchment and its surrounding areas?
MRS. TALAMO:
The Tikurewuha River catchment, once a dense forest rich in wildlife like the Spot-breasted Lapwing and Wattled Ibis, now faces severe challenges from rapid urbanization and infrastructure projects linking Addis Ababa to Moyale, Kenya. Expanding commercial agriculture, driven by rising food demand, competes with limited land, especially affecting landless women. Nearby industrial developments add pressure by depleting and contaminating water resources. Climate change worsens the situation with erratic rains, higher temperatures, flooding, sedimentation, and soil erosion, all harming land and productivity. These threats endanger farmers’ livelihoods and vital ecosystem services. To adapt, I’m shifting to flood-tolerant crop varieties and applying a watershed-based approach that balances food production with environmental conservation.
HOST :
What types of crop varieties do you grow? In which locations are these crops cultivated?
MRS. TALAMO:
I grow mainly water-loving vegetables: cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower, and flood-tolerant crops like rice. My fields are found in the southeast direction, approximately 13 km from the main bridge that connects Tikurewuha town and Hawassa city, near Hawassa Lake in the southern Ethiopian Rift Valley. Since the Tikurewuha River catchment and its surrounding environment are suitable for growing water-loving vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower, as well as flood-tolerant crops like rice, it is also endowed with fertile soils and a unique microclimate despite increasingly erratic rainfall. Over time, I also diversified a bit by intercropping with other crops and a few vegetables to better manage risks and ensure food security. The production of water-loving vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower has increased because many urban residents near Hawassa City and the Tikurwoha River catchment have the potential to provide for these products on a daily basis if sustainable agriculture production is followed. As a result, farmers on the riverbank are producing these vegetables and delivering them to the market. These plants require a short period to harvest and have lower production costs.
HOST :
Could you please tell me in which season the crops grow? What is the average yield per hectare?
MRS TALAMO:
I cultivate crops year-round, thanks to the continuous availability of water in the Tikurewuha River catchment. There are three main productive seasons: Winter (Kiremt/Bona) from June to August, Summer (Ganna), and Fall (Birraa) from December to February. Rice is typically planted at the beginning of the rainy season in the catchment. Yields tend to vary slightly between winter and summer crops. With improved management practices, I achieve an average of 1,600 kilograms of rice per hectare on 0.4 hectares of land. However, with better soil management, yields can increase to around 1,900 kilograms per hectare. These results depend on factors such as field conditions, soil fertility, and management efficiency. For instance, in areas where I’ve applied effective water management and an integrated approach to mitigate erratic rainfall and sedimentation, crop yields have improved significantly.
HOST :
What portion of your land is used for water-loving vegetables and flood-tolerant crops?
MRS TALAMO:
Seventy-five percent, or 65 hectares, of my land, is cultivated with water-loving vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower. The remaining thirty-five percent is dedicated to flood-tolerant crops like rice. Additionally, I often plant water-tolerant crops, and leave some areas for pasture. This spatial arrangement allows me to align crop needs with the inherent strengths of different parts of my land, ensuring that I use water and soil resources as efficiently as possible.
HOST :
What type of livestock do you raise? Are you raising livestock for consumption only or for the market?
MRS TALAMO:
I raise different types of animals for various purposes, including meat, plowing, eggs, and milk, and I sell these products in the local market to support my family’s needs. We maintain a modest herd of cattle and goats, along with a small flock of chickens. The cattle are primarily raised for both milk and meat, while the goats—known for their hardiness and rapid reproduction—provide additional meat and occasionally milk. Our chickens supply eggs and meat to meet the needs of our four family members.
HOST :
Is it sustainable to grow and cultivate water-loving vegetables and flood-tolerant crops on the riverbank?
MRS TALAMO:
On my farm, rice and other water-loving vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower thrive in consistently moist conditions, thanks to a year-round water supply. However, the riverbank catchment faces challenges such as unpredictable floods and seasonal sedimentation, which require careful watershed management. To address these issues, we use water control structures like terraces and check dams to slow floodwaters during the rainy season. This reduces sedimentation and soil erosion while helping us maintain a reliable water supply throughout the year. Additional measures—including protected area closures and rotational grazing—further protect crops from floods and sediment buildup. This integrated approach not only promotes ecological sustainability but also ensures stable agricultural production.
HOST :
Thank you so much, Mrs. Talamo. Now, let’s turn to Mrs. Gemeda. Mrs. Gemeda, what other challenges do you face in achieving sustainable food production and managing flooding on your farm?
MRS GEMEDA:
Recent climate change and weather instability have made farming in the Tikurewuha River catchment increasingly unpredictable. Riverbank agriculture is especially vulnerable to both seasonal and unexpected flooding, requiring management strategies different from other cropping systems. To mitigate flooding, water depletion, and pollution affecting our water supply, we’ve implemented several measures along the riverbanks. Beyond constructing physical barriers, we are actively reforesting the banks to stabilize soil and create natural erosion barriers. In particularly vulnerable spots, small check dams have been installed to regulate river flow and prevent sudden water surges from damaging crops. Together, these efforts have significantly enhanced the protection of our fields against flood damage and long-term soil degradation.
MUSIC UP AND FADE UNDER
HOST :
Thank you both so much; it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Now, let’s welcome Mr. Docalo Amona, an agricultural extension expert from the Community-Based Watershed Councils. Mr. Amona, could you please explain the specific measures taken so far to balance animal and crop production while protecting the riverbanks, including how the community manages flooding issues?
AMONA:
We practice watershed management, terracing, land closure, and rotational grazing to prevent land degradation and preserve existing forest areas. While we raise livestock mainly for our own consumption, we also generate income by selling surplus products—such as milk, meat, and eggs—in local markets and nearby towns, diversifying our income sources. This integrated system is crucial because it allows us to recycle crop residues as livestock feed and use animal manure to improve soil fertility. In the past, steep and uncultivated lands lacked vegetation, but the community—including myself—has recently started planting diverse vegetation in these areas. Vegetative cover has become a key strategy to protect riverbanks from pollution and topsoil erosion. Previously, industrial and factory waste was discharged directly into water bodies, causing severe pollution; however, this practice has stopped following a government ban. Additionally, household waste—including animal dung, urine, refuse, and biodegradable materials like vegetable and fruit peels—was once dumped in open fields. Now, we compost these materials to create organic fertilizer, which reduces agricultural costs, prevents soil runoff into water bodies, and increases productivity and income.
HOST :
At this point, we will shift back to Mrs. Talamo. Does the outcome obtained from Riverbank Agriculture support family life?
MRS. TALAMO:
Yes, it supports various needs, including covering school fees and health expenses. Recently, I changed the building material of my house from mud to steel, and I also purchased additional furniture, including a sofa.
HOST :
Does the government recognize and support your work?
MRS. TALAMO:
Yes, the Oromia regional and local Tikure Wuha district agricultural offices recognize and support our work through agriculture extension services including farmer demonstration fields. They also provide seeds of different water-loving plants and assist in land preparation and flood control mechanisms.
HOST :
What can other farmers near riverbanks learn from this practice to sustain the ecosystem?
MRS. TALAMO:
I advise fellow farmers to enhance productivity by adopting organic farming methods alongside effective watershed management, rotational grazing, and land closure practices. By prioritizing environmental conservation, they can boost crop yields while protecting the riverbank ecosystem. This holistic approach supports sustainable agriculture, helps maintain biodiversity, and promotes soil health—striking a balance between agricultural productivity and ecological preservation.
MUSIC UP AND FADE UNDER
HOST :
Now, we will hear from Mr. Moka Shiferaw, a crop science expert from the Tikurewuha District Agricultural and Rural Development Office. Mr. Shiferaw, could you please explain the profitability of riverbank agriculture in the Tikurewuha catchment and how trade-offs within the ecosystem are managed?
MR SHIFERAW :
The sustainability of riverbank farming in the Tikurewuha catchment depends on integrated water management, soil erosion control, and suitable crop choices. Rehabilitation efforts—such as building bunds, terraces, and check dams—reduce flood damage, capture water for moisture-loving crops, and improve yields. Crop diversification helps farmers adapt to climate variability, reduce erosion, and maintain soil fertility, balancing short-term productivity with long-term ecosystem health. Collaboration among farmers, local authorities, and researchers is key to developing adaptive strategies that protect river health, biodiversity, and downstream water users. This coordinated approach maximizes profitability while conserving natural resources.
HOST :
Thank you for speaking with us. Now, let’s hear from agricultural extension expert Mr. Zelalem Boru. Mr. Boru, could you explain the important role crop calendars play in riverbank agriculture?
MR BORU:
Farmers’ knowledge of sustainable practices along the Tikurewuha riverbanks is growing, thanks to access to weather information, research institutions, and extension agents. They follow crop calendars and choose stable crop varieties, cultivating water-loving and flood-tolerant crops together, which boosts yields. Improved land preparation, crop rotation, and composting crop waste enhance soil quality, leading to more consistent yields, higher income, and lower input costs. The involvement of various stakeholders is essential to this progress.
HOST :
That brings our discussion to a close. Thank you all for listening. To our guests, thank you for joining us today. We’ll end on this positive note, celebrating the hard work of our farmers. Goodbye for now, and I’ll be back with the next program soon.
Acknowledgements
Contributed by: Yideg Alemu
Reviewed by: Mulu Berhe, Radio Officer at Farm Radio International
Mrs. Wonasho Talamo Seboatu Gemeda, riverbank agriculture and participant in watershed conservation and management interview was conducted on February 16, 2025
Mr. Docalo Amona, local community leader interview conducted on February 16, 2025
Mr. Moka Shiferaw and Mr. Zelalem Boru, and Tikurwuha District Agricultural and Rural Development Office interview was conducted on February 18, 2025
Information sources
- Tomalka, J. et al. Stepping Back from the Precipice: Transforming Land Management to Stay within Planetary Boundaries: Special Report on Land. 122 pages, 15,4 MB https://publications.pik-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_30631(2024) doi:10.48485/PIK.2024.018.
- Gebreselassie, S., Kirui, O. K. & Mirzabaev, A. Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement in Ethiopia. in Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development (eds. Nkonya, E., Mirzabaev, A. & Von Braun, J.) 401–430 (Springer International Publishing, Cham, 2016). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-19168-3_14.
- Bishaw, B. Deforestation and Land Degradation on the Ethiopian Highlands: A Strategy for Physical Recovery. 2001.
