Testing and piloting the landscape management tracking system in the Central and South Regions of Ethiopia. Activity Report

In Ethiopia, Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) are essential for addressing land degradation and enhancing agricultural productivity. However, traditional paper-based tracking methods have proven inefficient and prone to errors. To overcome these limitations, a digital tracking system—developed through a partnership between the Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT, Inter Aide-Ethiopia, and RCBDIA—was piloted in Central and South Ethiopia. The system, accessible via web and mobile applications, supports real-time data entry, monitoring, and reporting on SWC/CSA interventions. A user testing and training program was conducted with development agents and experts from Hadiya, Kembata, and Wolaita zones. The training involved practical exercises comparing paper-based and digital tracking methods and aimed to evaluate system usability, learnability, task efficiency, user satisfaction, and acceptance. A mixed-methods approach was used to assess user performance and collect feedback. Results showed that over 78% of participants found the system easy or very easy to learn. Participants reported improved task efficiency and effectiveness when using the digital system compared to traditional methods. Most users expressed high satisfaction with the system, confidence in using it independently, and willingness to recommend its adoption more broadly. Participants also provided actionable suggestions for improving the system. These included adding offline functionality, expanding piloting to more farmers, offering continuous technical support, developing user-friendly training videos, and incorporating local languages such as Amharic. Overall, the pilot demonstrated the digital tracking system’s potential to enhance SWC/CSA monitoring, improve data accuracy, and empower local users through technology-driven solutions.

Adimassu, Z.; Tibebe, D.; Kebede, F.; Abera, W.; Demeke, G.; Gizaw, S.; Balcha, M.; Tamene, L.