The Natural Resource Management Directorate has continued to lead and coordinate impactful research activities across the South Ethiopia Regional State, focusing on sustainable land, water, irrigation, and biodiversity management. Recent evaluations of regional research findings show remarkable progress in developing community-driven solutions for soil and water conservation, watershed rehabilitation, small-scale irrigation, and climate-resilient farming practices.
In particular, irrigation-focused studies have demonstrated effective results and integrated watershed approaches that improve water-use efficiency and enhance dry-season farming. These efforts are strengthening farmers’ adaptive capacity, restoring degraded landscapes, increasing soil fertility, and improving food security through integrated natural resource and irrigation management.
By bridging research, extension, and local community participation, the Directorate is ensuring that evidence-based innovations in natural resource and irrigation management continue to contribute to sustainable development in South Ethiopia.