Soil conservation and watershed management are not new concepts in Ethiopia. Despite political differences, successive Ethiopian governments have made significant efforts to address environmental issues such as soil erosion, land degradation, and water resource management.
Various measures and methods have been developed to conserve soil, manage watersheds, and recognize their crucial role in maintaining agricultural productivity, conserving natural resources, and ensuring the well-being of the population.
The country places a strong emphasis on soil protection through practices such as terracing, agroforestry, contour plowing, and reforestation. These conservation methods are particularly important in highland areas where agriculture is prevalent. Additionally, watershed management initiatives have been implemented to protect and restore the health of watersheds, reduce soil erosion, manage water flow, and conserve water resources for various purposes.
The political reforms in mid-2018 have created new opportunities for afforestation and land restoration in Ethiopia. The Green Legacy Initiative program focuses on afforestation and reforestation projects to increase forest cover, combat deforestation, and rehabilitate degraded areas. These efforts help protect watersheds by reducing soil erosion and increasing water retention.
Integrated land use techniques have also been crucial in ensuring sustainable natural resource management, including soil and water conservation. Zoning for different land uses, promoting sustainable agriculture, and reducing land degradation are among the strategies implemented by the government.
According to Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture State Minister Eyasu Elias (Prof.), soil preservation and watershed management have become ingrained in Ethiopian culture. Each year, millions of Ethiopians come together for several weeks to work on soil conservation and watershed development, resulting in millions of hectares being conserved annually.
As a result of these efforts, over 28 million hectares of land have been preserved and protected from degradation through soil conservation, watershed management, and reforestation programs. These initiatives have helped cover degraded lands with a variety of plant species, contributing to climate change mitigation and food self-sufficiency.
Besides, the country is also making significant efforts to remediate acidic soil to enhance soil fertility, prevent erosion, and boost output. Farmers are especially being urged to use a variety of techniques, such as preparing natural fertilizers, rotating their crops, and keeping some living crops and plants on the land, with the aim of boosting soil fertility and avoiding acidification.
He remembered that climate change is causing variations in monsoons around the world, recurrent droughts, decreased water levels, and disruptions to natural equilibrium. As a result, Ethiopia’s annual soil preservation and watershed projects play an important part in the country’s agricultural efforts to cope with the negative impacts of climate change.
In addition to efforts to improve soil conservation and watershed management, small-scale irrigation development projects and the annual building of expansive irrigation networks in collaboration with partners to optimize irrigation operations are also underway. This not only helps the country mitigate climate change, but it also makes progress in developing summer irrigation.
Accordingly, the country is now able to produce and replace wheat that was previously imported for over 1 billion USD. Furthermore, large-scale fruit production has become conceivable, and local beer barley imports have been substituted, he stated.
Furthermore, the country intends to replace its current rice consumption with domestic production through irrigation expansion, improved soil and water conservation, and other measures, he clarified.
Recognizing the immense value of the 28 million hectares of land and related activities they have given to global environmental preservation and mitigation, the ministry is working hard to publish it in academic international publications and educate the public about climate change resilience, he noted.
Ethiopian soil preservation and watershed management work ought to be acknowledged and published in internationally renowned scientific publications since it has substantial implications for climate change mitigation, food security, and so on.
Indeed, publishing work on environmental preservation, climate change mitigation, and soil and watershed management in scholarly international journals is critical for knowledge dissemination because these journals serve as platforms for disseminating new innovative approaches, and best practices in environmental preservation, climate change mitigation, and soil and watershed management. As a result, knowledge dissemination is critical for informing policymakers, practitioners, partners, and academics worldwide about Ethiopia’s efforts to mitigate climate change.
Moreover, Ethiopia’s soil conservation and watershed management initiatives have the potential to have a worldwide influence. By publishing in international journals, academics may reach a worldwide audience, resulting in greater impact and influence. This is especially critical for environmental challenges, which frequently cross national borders and necessitate global collaboration.
If the government completes and publishes its soil conservation and watershed management efforts, it will have policy and practical implications. Research published in international journals has the potential to impact policy formation and practical actions in environmental preservation and climate change.
Policymakers and practitioners frequently depend on evidence-based research to inform their decisions, therefore academic publications play an essential role in developing environmental policies and practices. This, in turn, has a long-term impact by giving useful insights and solutions to help future generations solve environmental concerns.
In general, soil protection and watershed management are integral components of Ethiopia’s efforts to ensure sustainable agriculture, conserve natural resources, and minimize environmental hazards. These initiatives are essential for the country’s long-term economic development and the well-being of its people.
Furthermore, soil protection and watershed management in Ethiopia meaningfully contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts by sequestering carbon, reducing soil erosion, improving water management, increasing resilience, conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and aligning with national climate change policies. These activities are critical to Ethiopia’s broader climate change response and sustainable development objectives.
Therefore, publishing the preserved 28 million hectares of land from erosion and related activities will assist future generations in environmental preservation, climate change mitigation, and soil and watershed management, as well as advancing scientific understanding, informing policy decisions, fostering global collaboration, and making meaningful contributions to our planet’s protection and sustainability, according to State Minister Eyasu Elias (Prof.).
In a nutshell, Ethiopia’s soil conservation and watershed management initiatives play a vital role in sustainable development, environmental preservation, and climate change mitigation. By preserving 28 million hectares of land and implementing related activities, Ethiopia is making significant contributions to global efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainability.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
The Ethiopian Herald June 30/2024
