Action oriented training of natural resource management : case study of community- based natural resource management in Wodebeyesus Village, Debaitilatgin Woreda, Ethiopia

Development is largely perceived as a process of building capacities, hence empowering people through training is to able to handle their affairs by them selves. The research examined the practical significance of action oriented training as a basic approach for sustainable management of natural resources (soil and water). The effectiveness of the natural resource management ( NRM) is mainly determined by the needs and strategies of the farming community. Farmers have to be exposing to innovations and technologies through trainings and demonstration to increase capacity in solving problems in their living environment by their own effort. SARDP focuses on the conservation and rehabilitation of the natural resources and much effort was exerted in capacity building of the community through organizing intensive training programs on the conservation and management of natural resources. However, the natural base of the area is not improved. Despite much level of interactions has done, less practical changes have taken place by the farmer community to which are not keen to make use of the information, knowledge and technology they gained through trainings. The research identified the problem on how learning has taken place in natural resource management (soil and water), and why there is a problem to employ by the farming community at large scale. During field work, it was revealed through the interview that some of the farmers were trained intensively in different training areas, while some of the respondents didn’t participate in any training, demonstrations, and experience sharing visits. This has created differences in attitude and capacity in maintaining the natural resources that can contribute for improved agricultural production indeed. Training Need Assessment (TNA) has not ever been conducted to discuss and endorse in the areas of the community’s need either in the government or donor supported programs. Participation is limited only to consulting, that is to obtain acknowledgement from the public during meetings or gathering. The trainees were also selected by the Kebele Administration, Woreda Agriculture Office or by the development agents (DAs) giving no room for the community to play any role in the decision of selecting the appropriate trainees, where, when to train and on the content of the training themes. The Woreda Program Coordination Committee (WPCC), which is responsible to coordinate the Sida-supported program, replied on the role of the community and how the overall development activities of planning and implementation are taking place. Thus planning in the areas of training is done solely by the experts. The experts diagnose constraints at each Kebele and at the same time identify training topics like SWC, seed multiplication, horticulture development, etc. that seem appropriate for each Kebele( village). Then the whole process is reviewed and endorsed for implementation. According to the respondent farmers, in addition to the absence of participatory need assessment, there is no properly scheduled evaluation of the outcome and feed back of the trainings to take corrective measure and/or replicate the good practices. Sometimes training outcomes were evaluated during community conferences with other political, social and economic issues. Problems and challenges that halted the achievement of the objectives of the different trainings as mentioned by the interviewed farmers and actors are outlined. Besides, factors enhancing learning are also indicated