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Proposal on Potential GIAHS candidates of Ethiopia

Gedeo multistory agorofrestry system

Konso Agoroforestry and Cultural Landscape

Wubalem Tadesse (PhD)

Ministry of environment and Forest

wubalem16@gmail.com

GIAHS Steering and Scientific Committee Meeting

28-29 April 2014, Rome, Italy

ETHIOPIA Agrarian country

Area: 1,1 millones km2

Population: + 90 Million

Altitude vary, from 120 mbsl to 4,620 masl

4.620 m

1.500 m

-125 m

High lands

Low lands

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Ethiopia and its Biodiversity

Ethiopia is endowed with diverse ecosystems in which

diverse flora and fauna as well as microbial resources are

found.

About 6500 – 7500 vascular plants are known to exist

About 12 percent are endemic

is center of origin as well as diversity for major

agricultural crops

About 9 vegetation types are recognized

Is a primary gene center for field crops such as tef

(Eragrostis tef), noug (Guizotia abyssinica) etc,.

Ethiopia is birth place of coffee.

AMONG THE MAJOR CHALLENGES IN ETHIOPIA

Deforestation and forest degradation.

Population pressure and the increasing need for agricultural land

Over grazing (Free grazing).

Soil erosion and loss of productivity

Depletion of indigenous tree/shrub species

1. Gedeo multistory agorofrestry system

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Gedeo multistory agorofrestry system

Gedeo is a Zone in the SNNPR autonomous region of Ethiopia.

Gedeo Zone has the largest population density in the country

The Gedeo Mixed Cultural and Natural Landscape is the

combination and the presence of a harmony of combination

between nature and cultural civilization.

Foto: Badege et al..

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The Gedeo agroforestry system has

been practiced since the time land

users inhabited the area.

The Gedeo cultural and natural

landscape is representative of human

interaction with the environment when

it has become vulnerable under the

impact of deforestation resulting in

loss of biodiversity and low adaptive

capacity to climate change.

These systems mostly follow similar

patterns and sequencing of crops but

with variations in the number and

species of vegetation planted.

The crops grown largely depend on

specific area and socio-cultural

conditions.

Gedeo multistory agorofrestry system

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The agroforestry practice of the Gedeo is

among the best sustainable land

management systems adopted also by

different areas of the country.

Agroforestry based land management

practice involves deliberate growing of

different vegetation types and crops (annuals

and perennials) together in a given plot of

land.

The purpose of adopting agroforestry based

farming practice is to obtain maximum

possible production from a fixed area the

land possibly from each and every crop and

tree planted.

The type and composition of crop/vegetation

varies depending on slope, soils and the

amount of rainfall.

The Gedeo people are known for production

of high quality coffee, the Yirgacheffe Coffee.

Gedeo multistory agorofrestry system

Fotos Badege et al 2013

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Agroforestry system (multi-storey)

involving planting crops such as

banana, fruit trees and woody

biomass together

Various fruit trees species and woody

biomass grown together

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“Enset” (Ensete ventricosum) Agriculture is endemic to Ethiopia and

is grown together with fruit and woody trees.

Enset is a staple food in Gedeo and other SNNP areas of Ethiopia.

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The combination of crops, fruit trees and woody biomass is

largely determined by the elevation, soils and rainfall of the

particular area.

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Research and publications

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2. Konso Agoroforestry and Cultural Landscape

14 Konso

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Konso Agoroforestry and Cultural Landscape contd…

The Konso live in South-Western Highlands of

Ethiopia – having to survive in a harsh environment,

in a terrain characterised by steep slopes and soils

highly susceptible to erosion.

The Konso have developed a complex and highly

sophisticated agricultural system, which has allowed

them to subsist in a mountainous area, harsh

conditions and irregular rainfall.

Farming is based on an elaborate system of

terracing, soil and water conservation practices,

irrigation, multiple cropping systems with the

integration of livestock and forestry and crop

biodiversity.

The Konso terracing multiple functions include: a

sophisticated water control, efficient soil

conservation and the hosting on terracing of a

variety of plants, including woody perennials and

herbaceous, that is known as agroforestry.

Terraced agroforestry system in Konso Ethiopia

illustrates how genetic conservation and food

production can work together

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Besides terracing, the most striking features of the agricultural system are

irrigation, mulching, multiple cropping and the integration and utilisation of

tree species.

The integration of animal husbandry and intensive agriculture is typical for

Konso and is the distinguishing feature to other agricultural systems in

Ethiopia.

Manuring is a striking feature of the Konso agricultural system. Unlike in

many other parts of Ethiopia, dung is never used as fuel. It is an essential

part of the system to maintain such an intensive continuous cropping cycle.

The Konso have a well-developed knowledge of wild food plants and these

form an important dietary supplement.

Their consumption is incorporated into livelihood strategies and

considered an important local survival strategy in periods of food shortage,

before the upcoming harvest, or when they run out of food stocks.

The domestication of Moringa stenopetala, originated in the lowlands

between Kenya and Ethiopia, allowed Konso civilization to resist to

extenuating droughts by providing them with vitamins, proteins and

minerals.

Konso Agoroforestry and Cultural Landscape contd…

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The Konso Cultural Landscape has been

repeatedly rewarded by various foreign and local

scholars as an example of man-nature

interrelationship and was made subject of various

research topics

Their national award includes “Green award -

2007 in civil society organizations category

outstanding winner-konso community” –signed by

the President of of Ethiopia.

The Konso international award include the

Friends of the United Nations (1995)

UNESCO had registered the Konso Cultural

Landscape as World heritage center as of June

27, 2011.

Publication and Awards

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Gedeo multistory agorofrestry system

Konso Agoroforestry and Cultural Landscape

Crucial for Food and livelihood security

Diversified agricultural systems, and ensures diversified income generation

Maintains biodiversity and ecosystem function

Is based on strong cultural and Indigenous knowledge of thousands of years.

Outstanding mountainous landscape.

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South west forest management

system (Timber, NTFP, wild animals,

biodiversity..)

Sheka forest is UNESCO

Biosphere reserve

Borena Traditional Rangeland

Management for Improved Pastoralist

Livelihoods

Other possible candidate GIAHS systems of Ethiopia

Traditional cropping system

22 Thank you