Arba Minch University (AMU) has officially presented its comprehensive baseline study report for the KfW–Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Sustainable Land Management (SLM-V) Project. The report, delivered to the German Development Bank (KfW) and key stakeholders on March 6 2026, marks a critical milestone in the mission to save the Lake Chamo watershed.Click here to see more photos.
The report was presented by Dr. Fasil Eshetu, Project Coordinator, and Dr. Mesfin Tilahun, Project Advisor, who shared the findings of the comprehensive study conducted across the watershed. The assessment involved extensive field data collection from selected micro-watersheds, including biophysical surveys, hydrometeorological measurements, GIS mapping, and household socioeconomic studies.
The baseline study provides a detailed scientific picture of the current environmental conditions, land-use practices, and livelihood conditions of communities in the project intervention areas. The data will serve as a reference point for tracking ecological and socioeconomic changes once the project interventions are implemented.
Dr. Teklu Wegayehu, Vice President for Research and Cooperation at Arba Minch University, described initiative as one of the most significant collaborative milestones in the university’s history and commended the research team for producing high-quality scientific data within a remarkably short time.
He noted that the baseline study provides the scientific foundation for the restoration of Lake Chamo, enabling stakeholders to measure environmental and livelihood improvements over time. Dr. Teklu also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to “Research for Action,” emphasizing that AMU will continue to provide strong scientific and technical support throughout the project’s implementation.
In an interview following the event, Dr. Fasil Eshetu explained that Arba Minch University serves as the lead scientific partner, responsible for generating evidence-based data to support the project and assess its long-term impacts.
He emphasized that conducting a baseline study before intervention begins is crucial, noting that many development projects in Ethiopia often start implementation without sufficient baseline data, making it difficult to properly evaluate their outcomes.
Dr. Fasil further stated that the study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team of experts, ensuring a comprehensive scientific assessment of the watershed. According to him, more than 90 percent of the baseline study activities have already been completed.
He also noted that the project is establishing key scientific monitoring infrastructures, including six river gauging stations, three automatic weather stations, and modern digital lake bathymetry equipment to strengthen long-term monitoring of the Lake Chamo ecosystem and its watershed.
Speaking about the objective of the event, Dr. Mesfin Tilahun highlighted that the baseline study plays a vital role in ensuring that project interventions are guided by reliable scientific evidence.
According to Dr. Mesfin, the baseline data will help implementers design and carry out interventions based on scientific findings, enabling more effective and sustainable land management practices in the watershed. He added that the study will also serve as an important benchmark for evaluating the results and impacts of the project interventions over time.
Representatives from the German Development Bank (KfW), the Ministry of Agriculture, and other project partners attended the presentation and discussed the findings and their implications for the next phases of the project.
The baseline report will serve as a critical scientific reference for monitoring and evaluating the impacts of the SLM-V Project, which aims to restore degraded landscapes and strengthen sustainable land management practices across ten woredas in the Lake Chamo watershed.
For more Information Follow us on:-
Website - https://www.amu.edu.et/
Telegram - https://t.me/arbaminch_university
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ArbaMinchUniversityccd/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOO_nclhMo8M3r74OyPBlVA
Public and International Relations Executive
