Research Area: Irrigation diagnosis using the OASIS model
Nationality: Ethiopian
Time Frame: May 2014 – November 2014
Filmon is a lecturer at Mekelle University, Ethiopia, along with research and community service responsibilities. His qualifications include a MSc in Irrigation Engineering from Haramaya University, Ethiopia, and a BSc in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization from Hawassa University, Ethiopia. He has worked as a junior researcher at a regional branch of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) (2007-2009).
I applied for this program on the recommendation of Cai Xueliang who is based at IWMI’s office in South Africa, in order to help me strengthen my research abilities and skills. I am currently based at IWMI-South Africa to work on collaborative research on water management in the Gumsellasa area in Tigray, Ethiopia, using an OASIS computer model.
Comments on completion:
Working with IWMI-Southern Africa was great. I gained a lot of experience both in research and outside. I was pleased with the work environment, the friendly interaction of the staff and the warm welcome and treatment to newly joining interns like me; and the facility was so great. Finally, I would say IWMI-Southern Africa was an ideal place to work in.
Enhancing capacity for system transformation
Strengthening and sustaining the enabling environment
Enabling gender and youth inclusion
Brokering knowledge for sustainability
Cultivating scaling preparedness
Fostering scaling partnerships
Co-developing innovation bundles
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 
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 
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 
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 
