Soil erosion and conservation in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper reviews Ethiopia’s experience and research progress in past soil and water conservation (SWC) efforts and suggests possible solutions for improvement. Although indigenous SWC techniques date back to 400 BC, institutionalized SWC activity in Ethiopia became significant only after the 1970s. At least six national SWC-related programs have been initiated since the 1970s and their focus over time has shifted from food relief to land conservation and then to livelihoods. The overall current soil erosion rates are highly variable and large by international standards, and sheet, rill, and gully erosion are the dominant processes. The influence of human activities on the landscape has traditionally been deleterious, but this trend seems to have recently reversed in some parts of the country following the engagement of the communities in land management. The efficiency of SWC measures show mixed results that are influenced by the type of measures and the agro-ecology under which they were implemented; in general, the relative performance of the interventions is better in the drylands as compared with humid areas. Methodological limitations also occur when addressing the economic aspects related to benefits of ecosystem services and other externalities. Although farmers have shown an increased understanding of the soil erosion problem, SWC efforts face a host of barriers related to limited access to capital, limited benefits, land tenure insecurity, limited technology choices and technical support, and poor community participation. In general SWC research in Ethiopia is fragmented and not comprehensive, mainly because of a lack of participatory research, field observations, and adoptable methods to evaluate impacts. A potentially feasible approach to expand and sustain SWC programs is to attract benefits from global carbon markets. Moreover, a dedicated institution responsible for overseeing the research–extension linkage of SWC interventions of the country should be established.

The Contribution of Physical Geographers to Sustainability Research

“…However, much of the work by physical geographers on agricultural impacts has been executed outside Europe and North America. The effectiveness of soil and water conservation systems in Ethiopia has been assessed [44,45]. In China, there have been investigations of the impacts of several soil and water conservation schemes on the Loess Plateau [46] and research on the rehabilitation of degraded red soils [47].…”

Analysis of farmers perception on the impact of land degradation hazard on agricultural land productivity in Jeldu district in West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

“…The smallholder farmers' decision-making procedures are strongly based on their perceptions of the forces that drive degradation (Tesfaye et al, 2014;Haregeweyn et al, 2015;Bewket and Teferi, 2009) and its consequences on their lives and livelihoods. Perception will partly control awareness, goals and practical actions.…”

“…In Ethiopia, land degradation, low and declining agricultural productivity, and poverty are severe and interrelated problems that appear to feed off each other (Tesfaye et al, 2014;Haregeweyn et al, 2015;Bewket and Teferi, 2009;Seid, 2009). If urgent measures are not taken to arrest Ethiopia's serious land degradation, the country is headed for a "catastrophic situation" (Pender and Gebremedhin, 2006).…”

“…If urgent measures are not taken to arrest Ethiopia's serious land degradation, the country is headed for a "catastrophic situation" (Pender and Gebremedhin, 2006). Programs addressing land conservation are not succeeding where they are most needed (Tesfaye et al, 2014;Haregeweyn et al, 2015). Understanding, preventing and mitigating Land Degradation (LD) at the local scale seem to require more than technical knowledge and perception by external agents such as agricultural advisors and government officials.…”

“…Land and water degradation and its effect on agricultural activities may be unintentional and unperceived; it may result from carelessness or from the unavoidable struggle of vulnerable populations, for the necessities of survival (Teshome et al, 2016). Understanding the local people's perceptions on environmental issues is thus a prerequisite in making successful and sustainable resource management strategies (Assefa, 2009;Alemayehu et al, 2013;Achamyeleh, 2015;Pender, and Berhanu, 2004;Wagayehu and Drake, 2003;Tesfaye et al, 2014;Haregeweyn et al, 2015;Bewket and Teferi, 2009). Any effort towards this direction should begin from research which aims at exploring location specific factors influencing the adoption of land management practices.…”