Ethiopia has protected the environment through natural resource management that incorporates traditional methods. Millions of Ethiopians volunteer annually for a range of environmental conservation projects, which are vital to both the environment and the country’s agricultural industry.
Forest conservation, in particular, helps safeguard and maintain biodiversity, as forests are essential habitats for various species and natural carbon storage. These efforts not only benefit the environment but also support sustainable agriculture methods for communities living near forests and across the nation. Maintaining and restoring forests benefits the ecosystem and promotes sustainable agricultural practices for populations living in and near forests and across the country.
Watershed management is another milestone task that could serve as a model for natural resource preservation efforts. Ethiopia’s highlands and abundant rivers are essential for agriculture, drinking water, and electricity generation. Watershed management strategies like terracing, agro-forestry, and soil conservation help minimize erosion, enhance water quality, and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Farmers across the country are known for their traditional land management practices that are key to agriculture. Many Ethiopians use traditional land management strategies to conserve natural resources. Farmers practice rotational grazing to prevent overgrazing and preserve grassland quality, supporting the agricultural sector by providing fodder for animals while maintaining necessary plants on farmland.
The government’s approach to community-based natural protection and conservation efforts is an admirable environmental policy. Ethiopia has placed a greater emphasis on community-based conservation tasks, involving local populations in decision-making and benefit-sharing agreements for natural resource management. This approach increases local capacity and ownership of conservation activities.
Ethiopia’s natural resources and environmental protection efforts, combining conservation methods, traditional knowledge, and community participation, support the conservation of natural resources while promoting sustainable development, benefiting agriculture.
Ethiopia’s conservation of natural resources significantly impacts the nation’s agricultural methods. Soil erosion is a major issue in Ethiopia, leading to the loss of topsoil and reduced agricultural output, making soil conservation essential. Natural protection techniques like terracing, contour plowing and agroforestry help prevent soil erosion, promote soil health, and increase water retention capacity, providing more consistent and fruitful growing conditions for crops.
Ethiopian agriculture heavily relies on rainfall for irrigation, making water management crucial for crop production. Watershed management measures such as check dams, water collecting structures, and irrigation systems help conserve water resources, enhance water availability for agriculture, and reduce the risk of crop yield reductions due to droughts.
Nature conservation efforts help Ethiopia adapt to climate change, increasing climate resilience by improving ecosystem processes, retaining soil moisture, and reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events. This resilience is essential for maintaining agriculture’s long-term viability in the face of climate change.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture’s State Minister for Natural Resources Development, Professor Eyasu Elias, stated to The Ethiopian Herald that the country’s fertile land, water, and human resources have not been sufficiently developed to ensure food security. The agricultural sector has not progressed enough to support and grow the economy, facing challenges from droughts and climate change in the last decade.
Recognizing this, Ethiopia has taken a strong stance in protecting and developing natural resources, focusing on degraded lands, afforestation, soil preservation, and environmental activities since the country’s political reform in mid-2018. This sustainable approach supports the agriculture sector, now a significant contributor to the country’s economy.
Efforts over the last five years to manage watersheds, conserve natural resources, and implement green legacy initiatives have enabled Ethiopia to have sustainable natural resources supporting the agriculture sector. Under the motto “Let’s Adorn Ethiopia,” the country is now Africa’s leading fruit exporter.
The Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative has planted 32.5 billion seedlings in the past five years, with 60% grown in farmers’ backyards for food. Farmers who planted seedlings have begun producing and exporting fruit, making Ethiopia Africa’s largest exporter. 35% of the seedlings were planted to prevent floods, reforest degraded mountains, restore forest cover, and prevent soil erosion, benefiting the agriculture sector’s climate change resilience.
With over 7.5 billion seedlings prepared in 123,000 nurseries, Ethiopia is set to launch the Green Legacy Initiative program nationwide on June 28, 2024, aiming to turn the country green. These natural protection tasks promote sustainable land management, boost soil fertility and water availability, protect biodiversity, and enhance climate change resilience, ensuring food security, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector.
Ethiopia’s integration of natural conservation and preservation initiatives with watershed management is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
The Ethiopian Herald June 23/2024
