Research Area: Hydrological modeling
Nationality: Ethiopian
Time Frame: February 2014 – February 2015
Woinishet is a Hydraulic Engineer with thirteen years’ experience with the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia. She has held other positions as Project Coordinator, Sanitary Engineer, Civil Engineer and Hydrologist. Her qualifications include a MSc in Civil Engineering (Hydraulics) from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (2009), which included research on Daily Rainfall-Runoff Modeling for the Beles River Catchment, and a BSc in Hydraulics Engineering from Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, Ethiopia (2001).
I applied to attend this program because I was interested to work on hydrology models. I hope to get experience in working with the models while also expanding my professional expertise and applying it when I return back to my original position at the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia.
Comments on completion:
During my stay in IWMI I gained a lot of experience especially related to my work on Hydrology Models "Arc SWAT and Arc Apex". Now I am back in my office at the Ministry and working on Hydrology and Hydraulics Model projects.
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 
