The document summarizes the experiences of the Lushoto Benchmark site in linking research, development and natural resource management in the AHI watersheds. It describes the historical development of the site since 1998, including the introduction of integrated natural resource management technologies and expansion to include more villages. Participatory diagnostic studies identified three themes - stakeholder engagement for agroforestry, water source management, and integrated catchment management. Objectives and issues addressed within each theme are outlined. The work plan aims to consolidate efforts across themes to improve livelihoods through integrated watershed management.

1. Linking Research, Development
and NRM in AHI Watersheds:
Experiences of the Lushoto
Benchmark site
Juma Wickama
Lushoto, Tanzania

2. Contact:
• The author can be contacted through
wickama@yahoo.com or follow him on
twitter wickama@twitter.com

3. Historical Development
• 1998 the Lushoto site taken on board for
Phase two of AHI regional programme
• 1999 – 2001, ARIs (4 Institutes) which
have a stake in the AHI agenda introduce
a basket of INRM technologies in the pilot
site (Kwalei village)

4. Historical development. . .
• 2002 the site braces for the third phase of
AHI agenda
• We delineate the Baga Watershed as the
working area
• We add 5 villages (Kwekitui, Mbelei, Dule
Kwadoe and Kwehangala)
• We conduct participatory diagnostic
studies across the Watershed

5. Historical Development …..
• 2003 we put together observations across
the Watershed and develop an action plan
with the communities
• We break the issues discussed with the
communities into three themes and
develop them into a work plan for 2004-
2005 implementation

6. Major areas of conflicts in the
Watershed
• Water for Irrigation,
• Trees Vs Shading
and Water sources,
• Declining Crop
Production,
• Soil Conservation,
• Poor Governance

9. The themes and objectives
Themes
• Stakeholder engagement for niche-compatible
Agroforestry
• Water Source Management
• Integrated Catchment Management.
Overall Objective
To improve the livelihoods of watershed communities
through integrated watershed management.

10. Issues within each theme
• Niche compatible agro-forestry
– Springs protection
– Farm cross boundaries issues
– Protected area buffer zone
– Policy and Governance (by laws and
implementation)
The theme engages and brings together a
number of stakeholders for negotiation and
joint action

11. Cutting down of harmful trees – An Acrocapus spp tree cut to reclaim a
water source in Kwadoe Village

12. Issues within themes
• Water source management
Carry out water source protection,
Promote spring-compatible forestry,
Advocate soil erosion control,
Lobby for implementation of relevant
policy and institutional measures.
The theme implements this through stakeholder
involvement, research and advocacy

13. Issues in the themes …..
• Integrated Watershed management
 improve the productivity and sustainability of natural
resources
 promote micro-catchments management by using
attractive incentives (improved domestic water supply,
income opportunities and integrated technical support)
 catalyse community innovation for system-wide impact.
The theme seeks to achieve these through community
engagement, policy advocacy and research

14. Linking the efforts to Development
in Lushoto
• Promoting contact with the Executives,
Counselors, and local District Council in
Lushoto
• Publicise our activities to other projects,
NGOs and Institutions in Lushoto to
reduce duplication of efforts (TIP,
TAFORI, SECAP)
• Exposing farmers to beneficial side of the
technologies and markets

15. Consolidating the work plan
• We have combined the work plan covering
the three themes to avoid each team
making its own encounters to same
farmers
• We have introduced briefings before and
after field works
• Each theme is supposed to report on the
technical and process issues

16. MANY THANKS
AND
WELCOME TO LUSHOTO