Brief 1 Transforming African agriculture through sustainable intensification February 2013 Tree growing in the highlands of Ethiopia: Key issues to be considered for its advancement The Ethiopian highlands are losing many valuable tree and and the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy shrub species because of anthropogenic and climatic from 2012–2025 (FDRE 2011) directly or indirectly factors. The coverage of high value indigenous tree and emphasized the benefits that can be maximized from trees. shrub species has declined. The tree species that used to provide quality products and ecosystem services have become limited. As a result, there is increasing use of non- forest/tree products such as dung and crop residues to fill fuel and other household requirements. There is also extensive importation of wood and wood products to narrow the gap between wood demand and supply. Trees can be a potential connector/integrator of the crop and livestock components of the farming system in the highlands of Ethiopia. Some indigenous tree and shrub species in the highlands are known for their ability to provide feed for animals (Figure 1) and organic fertilizer for crops (Figure 2). There are also exotic species that perform well in the highlands and can provide various economic and ecological uses for smallholder farmers. Generally, there is Figure 2. Indigenous tree species serving as soil fertilizer in farmlands a possibility to sustain benefits and ensure resilience against in western Ethiopia the impacts of climate change and climate variability through integrating trees in farms and landscapes. The following issues need to be revisited so as to enhance the economic, environmental, ecological and social contributions of trees in Ethiopia: Technological/germplasm issues Agro-ecologies, farming systems and socio-economic conditions of farmers in Ethiopia are highly diverse. On the other hand, tree related technologies that are compatible with various tree growing niches and which fulfill the interests of farmers are less available. There is, therefore, a need to properly identify the demand of the farming communities, properly cluster the growing niches and make accessible technological options (germplasm, management Figure 1. Hagenia abyssinica as sources of animal feed in central and utilization) that provide various products and service. Ethiopia At present, there are development and policy initiatives Data/information related issues that enhance tree farming in different landscapes and There is a lack of up-to-date tree-related data/information farming systems. These include the Forest Policy (MoARD that facilitates proper planning and the management of 2007), the Growth and Transformation Plan from 2011– various tree species. Propagation, seed treatment and 2015 (FDRE 2010), the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) germination information for many of Ethiopia’s indigenous 15 years program framework (MoARD 2008), a trees is lacking. Therefore, a co-managed and co-owned reforestation program for 15 million hectares of land (on national tree database is needed to track changes in this farm and communal land), a program to establish 100 valuable resource, compile the indigenous knowledge/ million Faidherbia albida trees on cereal cropland (four years experiences on tree farming, and provide facts and figures program), land registration and certification proclamations, for research and education purposes. Capacity building Policy related issues Capacity building in terms of facilities and human resources The Forest Policy of Ethiopia was released in 2007. development is a cornerstone to maximize benefits from However, there are no comprehensive regulations and tree and shrub species. Turnover of technical staff from directives to implement the policy on the ground even five research, extension and higher learning institutions is years later. The issue of free livestock grazing is also apparent in different parts of the country. This creates another challenge to integrate high value tree and shrub discontinuity in tree-related research and development species/fruit trees in the agricultural outfields. It is not initiatives and activities. Incentive mechanisms that attract uncommon to see cattle, equines and small ruminants productive forestry/NRM experts and researchers could be grazing freely on croplands and other potential tree designed and implemented. The capacity building efforts for growing niches. Livestock cause considerable damage to development agents (government extension workers) young planted and naturally grown trees while freely should be practically oriented to enable them properly grazing. Therefore, the problem of free grazing requires respond to the information and technology demands of policy intervention and technological innovation that farmers at the grassroots level. Farmers practice tree accommodates the interests of all. related technologies and information with confidence when they are practically demonstrated to them. Developing a holistic/integrated approach Farmers have their own holistic/integrated approach to farm management to solve farming system constraints. The This brief is a summary of material presented at the third research and development system should also follow a meeting of the National Platform on Land and Water similar approach to back up farmers with improved Management, 23−24 July 2012. The theme of the technologies and innovations. workshop was sustainable agricultural intensification and its role in the climate resilient green economy initiative in Ethiopia. Institutional issues The institutional arrangements in the forestry sector have The national platform is an initiative of the Nile Basin been unstable and suffering from frequent restructuring. The Development Challenge - http://nilebdc.org – in Ethiopia lack of a stable organizational structure for the sector is often cited as one of the bottlenecks to properly coordinate The meeting was supported by the Africa RISING ‘Early forestry research and development, and bring effective and Win’ project on ‘Sustainable tree–crop–livestock long-term management and development successes in intensification as a pillar for the Ethiopian climate resilient Ethiopian forestry. Therefore, capable and more efficient green economy initiative’ led by the World Agroforestry forestry institutions are required to coordinate national Centre (http://africa-rising.net) efforts and effectively handle international negotiations/agreements and mobilize resources. The Africa Research In Sustainable Intensification for the Next The three projects are led by the International Institute of Generation (Africa RISING) program comprises three research-for- Tropical Agriculture (in West Africa and East and Southern development projects supported by the United States Agency for Africa) and the International Livestock Research Institute (in the International Development as part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Ethiopian Highlands). The International Food Policy Research Future initiative. Institute leads an associated project on monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. Through action research and development partnerships, Africa RISING will create opportunities for smallholder farm households to move out Prepared by: Kindu Mekonnen (ILRI), Tilahun Amede (ICRISAT), of hunger and poverty through sustainably intensified farming systems Alan Duncan (ILRI) and Aster Gebrekirstos (ICRAF) that improve food, nutrition, and income security, particularly for women and children, and conserve or enhance the natural resource africa-rising.net base. This document is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License