Research Area: Hydrological modeling
Nationality: Ethiopian
Time Frame: February 2014 – February 2015
Ashenafi has been working as a Senior Hydraulic and Hydropower Researcher in the Research and Development Directorate of the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia since 2011. His qualifications include a MSc in Hydraulic and Hydropower Engineering from Arba Minch University, Ethiopia (2010), a BSc in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization from Hawassa University, Ethiopia (2005), and a postgraduate diploma in Water Resource Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt (2013).
Ashenafi worked as a full-time instructor and lecturer at Gambella Agricultural TVET College, Ethiopia (2006-2010). His work for this program focuses on the ‘Evaluation of adaptive management of water resources under climate change impact in the Blue Nile River Basin’ under the IMPACT2C research project. Currently, he is setting-up the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) hydrological model and revising the existing Water Evaluation and Planning Model (WEAP) setup for the Blue Nile River Basin.
Comments on completion:
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the