SECURING WATER FOR FARMERS' FUTURE (SWFF) Innovator: Aybar Engineering Field Report

The innovation involves constructing broad beds and furrows to drain excess water from fields, increasing crop yields. The Aybar BBM was developed to address the pressing challenge of waterlogging in Vertisols in the central highlands of Ethiopia. A total of 50 farmers were interviewed in July and August 2019 in West Shewa Zone of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. The survey questionnaire had four major parts: farmer information, farm information, income and expenditures, and perceptions on innovations. Each section had respective questions to achieve the objectives of the field report. The mean farm size of sampled respondents was 2.42 hectares [six acres], with a minimum and maximum farm size of 0.5 hectare [1.23 acres] and six hectares [14.82 acres], respectively. The mean farm size owned by female respondents was 2.125 hectares [5.04 acres], which is lower than the sample average. However, there was no significant difference in farm size between female and male respondents. The Aybar BBM has been used by farmers for four years, and the innovation has shown positive impacts on crop yields and income. The average annual farm income of end users before the innovation was 10313 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (approximately USD $362), which increased to 24155 ETB (approximately USD $847) after the innovation. Despite the positive impacts, the innovation has limitations, including reduced waterlogging by constructing broad beds and furrows that drain excess water from fields.