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MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST and CLIMATE CHANGE
NATIONAL REDD+ SECRETARIAT
National REDD+ Readiness Process and Sustainable Forest Management in Mexico
(Short Report on Awareness Creation Visit)
September 26 - October 3/2015
1
CONTENTS
1. BACKGROUND TO THE VISIT 3
1.1 Organization of the report 5
2. VISIT OBJECTIVES, JUSTIFICATIONS AND GOAL 5
3. VISIT SCHEDULE 7
4. VISIT ENGAGEMENT 9
5. LESSONS LEARNED 24
6. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS 25
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 26
ANNEXES 27
2
1. BACKGROUND TO THE VISIT
Ethiopia has been implementing a Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy since
2011. The goal of building a green economy aims at reducing carbon emissions across sectors
through the years and achieve a middle income status. Ethiopia's green development path ensures
sustainable natural resource management and utilization along with a significant reduction in
national GHG emissions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
In building a green economy, four sectors were selected for fast track implementation among
which forestry is one (Figure 1). As part of the CRGE, the forestry sector is expected to have a
huge (around 50%) abatement potential with the implementation of a wide range of abatement
levers to reduce the pressure on the country's forests. Realizing the full potential of the forestry
sector and achieving sustainable forest management, a number of abatement levers are identified
for implementation. REDD+ is one of these abatement levers.
Figure 1. Pillars of the CRGE Strategy
Unlike most countries, the REDD+ program in Ethiopia is embedded in the national CRGE
strategy making its implementation a national development endeavor.
REDD+ Mechanism: is a policy approach and an incentive mechanism to reduce GHG
emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Globally, REDD+
implementation process follows a phased approach namely Readiness phase, Implementation
phase and emissions reduction phase.
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The Four Pillars of Ethiopia’s Climate
Resilient Green Economy StrategyAGRI
CULTURE
POWER
Forestr
y
TRANSPORT,INSUSTRY & BUILDING
S
REDD+ process in Ethiopia: REDD+ Readiness in Ethiopia started in January 2013. A national
REDD+ Secretariat under the Ministry of Environment and Forest has been implementing
different readiness activities. The major readiness include REDD+ Strategy preparation, National
Forest Inventory, Forest Reference Level Setting and MRV system establishment, Analysis of
the legal and Institutional frameworks for REDD+ implementation, consultation and
participation of stakeholders, awareness creation and capacity building, putting in place
management arrangements and initiating regional pilots.
In this regard, among the various Readiness activities that ensure the effective REDD+
implementation, awareness raising and capacity building to key stakeholders (Policy makers,
federal and regional implementing entities, Civil Society and NGOs) is one. Capacity building to
decision makers and federal/regional implementers will ensure their informed participation. They
will help them provide effective leadership and facilitation of REDD+ and Sustainable forest
management activities at federal/regional level. Therefore, it is with this context that participants
(Federal Ministry of Environment and Forest, of this awareness creation also able to effectively
coordinate and lead REDD+ and/ or Moreover, it will e and will help informing stakeholders.
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1.1 Organization of the report
This report is organized into 7 sections. The first section presents a background information on
Ethiopia's CRGE strategy and the role of forestry in the realization of CRGE goals. It also
touches upon the mechanism of REDD+ and Ethiopia's REDD+ process objectives and goals in
relation to sustainable forest management and emissions reductions goals. The second section
outlines the objectives of the visit and the justifications for choosing the visit destination
(Mexico) and the goal of the visit. This section is followed by an outline of the activity schedule.
Section four of the report provides a synopsis of the visit engagements including presentations,
discussions, facility/field visits and on-site interactions. The report then builds on (Part 5) the
discussions in the preceding sections and draws on lessons and experiences of the visit. Few
recommendations (section 6) are forwarded based on the strength and weaknesses of the visit
followed by acknowledgements (section 7) to those who made (in one way or the other) the visit
a success.
As a note to the reader, the full version of the presentations will be uploaded to the National
REDD+ Secretariat temporary blog (www.redplusethiopia.wordpress.com). Interested readers
can download these resources to supplement this report.
2. VISIT OBJECTIVES, JUSTIFICATIONS AND GOAL
The objectives of the visit were
To share lessons and experiences on REDD+ readiness implementation in Mexico.
To understand the institutional and policy approaches relevant in sustainable forest
management.
2.1 Justifications (Why Mexico?)
In preparation for this visit, the National REDD+ Secretariat made a serious of consultations
with partners like the World Bank to help us identify a REDD+ advanced country with whom we
can share lessons and experiences in the area of REDD+ readiness implementation and
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approaches for sustainable forest management. On the basis of these discussions, Mexico was
found to be a suitable destination for the planned visit for a number of reasons
Mexico is one of the few REDD+ advanced countries (REDD+ early movers) with a lot
of lessons and experiences on the challenges and opportunities of REDD+ readiness
process.
Mexico has a practical experience on implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services
(PES), a feasible scheme for the promotion of Sustainable Forest Management.
Historically, Mexico had a high rate of deforestation (up to 600,000ha/yr in the south
east) and Mexico's deforestation was driven by agricultural expansion and unsustainable
fuel wood extraction. This has a parallel in Ethiopia as these divers are the current
challenges in Ethiopia. On top of that, the country has got lessons (success and failures)
from forest rehabilitation and development efforts.
Mexico is a mountainous country like Ethiopia and forest development is intrinsically
linked with ensuring sustainable land and water resource management which is the case
in Ethiopia.
2.2 The goal of the visit
Upon the successful completion of the visit, Visit participants
Will better understand/evaluate the challenges and opportunities of REDD+ Readiness
implementation process and Sustainable Forest Management.
Will learn experiences and identify best practices that will help them guide REDD+
process at federal or regional level.
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3. VISIT SCHEDULE
A team of nine Ethiopian delegates (see annex 1) led by H.E. Ato Belete Tafere, Minister,
Ministry of Environment and Forest, left Addis Ababa on September 25/2015, arrived in Mexico
on 26 September. Visit engagement began on September 28/2015. The Following is the schedule
for the daily engagements of the delegation during the course of the visit.
Monday (September 28/2015)
Time
Activity Responsible
9:30 Meeting with representatives of the Deputy Director General of CONAFOR ,Officials and experts at CONAFOR for a briefing on institutional programs and collaborative activities
CONAFOR
Welcoming Remarks Mr Alturo Beltran Retis, Deputy Director General, CONAFOR
Short Remark H.E. Ato Belete Tafere, Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest
10:00 Overview of Ethiopia's Forestry Sector and Expected outcomes
Dr Wubalem Tadesse, Director General, Ethiopia Environment and Forest Research Institute
10:20 Overview of Mexico's Forestry Sector and National Forestry Program (PRONAFOR) 2013-2018
Jorge Fernandez, General Coordinator, Planning and Information
11:00 National REDD+ PreparednessDesign of National REDD+ Strategy/National REDD+ ProcessImplementation of REDD+ early actionsREDD+ National Consultations
Jaime Severino, Manager of Forest Carbon Projects and Markets
11:45 Coffee Break12:00 REDD+ Safeguards Mrs Fransisco Moreno, Manager
of Information System of Socio-environmental safeguards
12:15 National Forest and Soil Inventory Rubi Cucena Lara, Management of Forest Inventory and Geomatics
13:10 Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for REDD+
Jorge Morfin Rios, Coordinator of Project Preparation and REDD+ Strengthening South-South Cooperation
14:00 Lunch Break16:00 Fire Management (Including Visit to the National Center of
Forest Fire Control)Alfredo Nolasco Morales, Manager of Forest Fires Protection
17:30 End of Meeting CONAFOR
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Tuesday (September 29/2015)
Time
Activity Responsible
07:30 - 14:30
Field VisitTrip to Military Forest Nursery, Ameca JaliscoTour of the Nursery facilities
CONAFOR
14:30 Lunch Break CONAFOR15:30 Field visit to Reforestation Site CONAFOR18:00 End of visit
Wednesday, September 30/2015Tim
eActivity Responsible
8:00-11:00
Field VisitTrip to site, Jacales, MascotaConserved Maple ForestPayment for Ecosystem Service and Community Engagement (Cloud Forest)
CONAFOR State Office at Jalisco
14:00 Trip to Mascota14:30 Lunch Break16:00 Presentation "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems of the
Biological Corridor Ameca, Manantlan" designed to strengthen governance mechanisms and integrated management of territories in biological corridors.
CONANP, Project Coordination
18:00 End of Visit16:00 Fire Management (Including Visit to the National Center of
Forest Fire Control)Alfredo Nolasco Morales, Manager of Forest Fires Protection
17:30 End of Meeting CONAFOR
Thursday, October 1/2015Tim
eActivity Responsible
8:00-14:00
Field VisitTrip to Predo El Atajo, MascotaTimber Forest ManagementLow Impact timber ExtractionReforestationFire Management
CONAFOR
14:30 Lunch Break16:00 Drive Back to Guadalajara18:00 End of Visit
Friday, October 2/2015
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Time
Activity Responsible
13:00 Check out and transfer to air port CONAFOR14:00 Arrival to airport and Check in14:30 Lunch17:00 Departure Flight
4. VISIT ENGAGEMENTS
In this section, we provide a synopsis of the major engagements of the visit with a focus on the
presentations and discussions, field/facility visits and on-site discussions. For convenience, a
highlight of individual presentations is given followed by a summary of the general discussions
made. In reporting visits to facilities/field sites, a description of the facility/field site is given
followed by issues discussed. The daily engagements are presented separately and the narration
in this section is hyphenated with selected photos so as to give the reader a feel of visit
engagement in discussion rooms or field sites.
DAY 1
The Ethiopian delegation enjoyed a warm welcome at CONAFOR head office in Gudarajara,
Mexico. Following a short introduction of meeting participants, the Mr Alturo Beltran Retis,
Deputy General of CONAFOR gave a short welcoming remark. In his remark, the Deputy
director highlighted the following points,
The forest sector is a high priority for Mexico as it supports the livelihood of the rural
community
National forest programs in Mexico are focused on integrating forests for development,
protection of high biodiversity areas and restoration of degraded areas
Mexico is taking part in the global REDD+ initiative and made considerable progress in
REDD+ preparedness
Following the Deputy directors remark, H.E. Ato Belete Tafere took the stage and made a short
remark stressing that
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The Ethiopian delegation give the visit a special consideration and anticipates that it will
be an opportunity to learn from Mexico's challenges and opportunities.
The Government of Ethiopia's Vision to achieve a carbon neutral green economy through
a CRGE strategy and the role of forestry in achieving the vision and
The process of REDD+ readiness in Ethiopia and the lessons that his delegation would
like to draw from Mexico's REDD+ Process
(A) (B)
Photo Plate 1. Opening remarks: Mr Alturo Beltran Retis, CONAFOR's Deputy Director (left, center) and H.E Ato Belete Tafere (right)
Photo Plate 2. H.E Ato Belete Tafere presenting a small gift to Mr Alturo Beltran Retis, CONAFOR's Deputy Director
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Presentation 1 - Dr Wubalem Tadesse: Overview of Ethiopia's Forestry Sector and
Expected outcomes
The presentation gave an excellent overview of Ethiopia (its geography, ethnic and cultural
diversity, population, history, topography, economy etc...). It drew a parallel between Ethiopia
and Mexico as both countries are home for ancient civilizations (Axum, Lalibela vs. Maya,
Aztec). It then highlights the forest resources of Ethiopia with a focus on the contribution of the
forestry sector and; non-timber forest resources in Ethiopia; the major challenges and
opportunities of the sector in Ethiopia. It described the institutional structure of MEF and EEFRI.
and gave a brief account of the status of REDD+ readiness in Ethiopia. The presentation winds
up by providing justifications for choosing Mexico as visit destination and the expectations of
the Ethiopian delegation from the visit.
Presentation 2 - Jorge Fernandez: Overview of Mexico's Forestry Sector and National
Forestry Program (PRONAFOR) 2013-2018
This presentation aimed at providing the Ethiopian delegation a basic information of Mexico's
forestry sector. It described the forest wealth (64.8million ha) of Mexico (70% of this forest is
owned by communities) and how important the forest resource is in supporting the livelihood of
a considerable (11 million) portion of the population. It then outlined a diagnosis of the forestry
sector that clearly identifies a range of legal, institutional, technological, social and market
related challenges that should be addressed within the national forest program in the short-term
and long-term. The national forest program of Mexico is prepared under a presidential decree
and the program is a mandate of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources and State
entities coordinated by the same. In addition, other agencies of the Federal Government are
subject to applicable legal provisions of the National Forest Program and shall formulate their
respective programs and preliminary budgets for an effective fulfillment of the objectives and
goals of the National Forest Program 2014-2018. The program strongly emphasizes the need for
transversality and institutional coordination among federal agencies for the realization of the
program. The five-year National Forest Program has the following five interrelated objectives:
increasing sustainable forest production and productivity; promotion of conservation and
restoration of forest ecosystems; protection of forest ecosystems; strengthening governance and
development of local capacities and promote and facilitate an enabling environment for
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sustainable forest development. The program further outlines key performance indicators for the
plan period with respect to component activities. It is worth noting some of these targets
Developing markets linked with forest industry (2.5 million ha will be certified by 2018)
Promote matching-funds for payment of environmental services (Increase area under
Payment for Environmental Services from 2.8million ha to 3.1 million hectares by
2018).
Restoration and/or productive reconversion of 1 million hectares in the period 2013-
2018
Improving seedling survival from 30% in 2013 to 60% by 2018.
The presentation also outlined the activities of the National Forest and Soil Inventory by
CONAFOR and the procedures of state level inventories. A brief account of the National
REDD+ Strategy and Mexico's goal of reducing 25% of its GHG emissions and short-lived
pollutants and its commitment to achieve 0% deforestation rate by 2030 (Mexico's INDC) is
summarized.
Presentation 3 - By Jaime Severino National REDD+ Preparedness (Design of National
REDD+ Strategy/National REDD+ Process, Implementation of REDD+ early actions and
REDD+ National Consultations)
This presentation provides a detailed description of the national REDD+ process. Through the
years, Mexico has tackled drivers of deforestation and significantly reduced the rate of
deforestation between 1990 and 2010. Mexico's vision on REDD+ is based on the diagnosis
carried out for the forestry sector and recognizes that addressing deforestation and degradation is
a challenge. To this end, it underlines that the best way to develop REDD+ in Mexico is through
Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) which promotes a territorial and multi-sectorial
approach, in order to reduce the pressures that lead to deforestation and forest degradation. The
major objectives of the National REDD+ program is to address deforestation and forest
degradation to reduce GHG emissions through implementation of sustainable practices aimed at
Sustainable Rural Development and conducive to improve living conditions of forest owners
and users in rural areas. Mexico has produced a comprehensive REDD+ strategy with three
components: actions to specifically meet the needs of forests and climate change; Program of
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REDD+ Early Actions and Low emissions activities. The presentation further outlines REDD+
Early Actions under implementation which includes:
Develop and strengthen capacities of different sectors and actors.
Develop replicable and scalable models on integrated landscape management, as
platforms for local governance options.
Integrate different activities into sustainable rural development.
Selection of priority sites for early action implementation was based on a clearly defined criteria.
The national REDD+ strategy preparation involved a continuous consultation and participation
of multi-stakeholders based on a communication strategy and a consultation plan. The
consultation process has 3 phases (information/fact fishing, consultation/advisory and
systematization of feedbacks) and the process has been successfully implemented in 32 different
32 different states across Mexico.
DISCUSSIONS
The presentations were followed by questions from members of the Ethiopian Delegation. Here
are some of the most important questions and the responses that follow.
Q What is the financial support and the benefit sharing mechanism to ensure proper
implementation of activities and distribution of benefits particularly from PES schemes?
Response: About 50% of the budget to run the 43 different programs is covered by CONAFOR
and additional financial support is also provided by developmental partners. The basis for
payment for PES is calculated from the opportunity cost of the forest (i.e. the opportunity cost
associated if 1ha forest is converted to 1ha corn field). This cost usually ranges from USD 35 -
100/ha/year and payment depends on the type of ecosystem (i.e. ecosystem with high
biodiversity or hydrological value get the highest pay than ecosystems with lower ecological
significance).
Q Why it took so long for REDD+ Process?
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Response: REDD+ process started at the end of 2010. The major reason for an extended process
is the broad consultation and participation of all relevant stakeholders/actors that REDD+
requires. The consultation and participation process involved a wide range of stakeholders at
different administrative and sectoral levels. For example the national REDD+ strategy has been
under consultation for the last two years and it has been consulted with different federal sectors
and those in the 32 states of Mexico.
Q What were the socioeconomic challenges (for REDD+) you learned from REDD+
consultations?
Response: The two most important challenges are for future REDD+ implementation are
unemployed youth and woman and free grazing which REDD+ need to address.
Q How is forest land certification done?
Response: The work of Certifying good forest management practices were done with a financial
support from FAO since 2013. Good forest management practices are identified and are
evaluated for certification.
Q How do you promote reforestation?
Response: Through technical support for restoration for ecosystem services and by working
towards increasing seedling survival.
Q What is the contribution of reforestation in achieving carbon neutrality?
Response: The 1 million ha of reforestation and/or productive reconversion will contribute to
carbon neutrality. This is in fact additional to other programs for commercial wood and
restoration.
Q How do you align pubic policies which is a challenge and also an important step for REDD+
implementation?
Response: We combine a top-down and bottom-up approach in dealing with this challenge. In a
top-down approach the decree for the National Forest Program implementation obliges sectors to
align their policies and plans with the forest program. We did also series of discussions with
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different actors for better coordination. Second, territorial (equivalent to sub-national level) level
discussions are initiated by Public Territorial Development Agency to identify the needs of local
people and harmonize programs accordingly.
Following the discussion, the Ethiopian delegation were shown a documentary titled
'Biodiversity in production forest and certified markets'. The film exemplifies the possibility of
ensuring ecosystem sustainability by creating a workable linkage and balance between nature,
society and business.
Presentation 4 - Rubi Cucena Lara National Forest and Soil Inventory
This presentation is a more technical one and deals with the general objective, legal framework,
sampling intensity and design, and sampling variables of the inventory process. Issues worth
noting are: the forest inventory is a multi-resource inventory, it is comprehensive and it is a
phased (2004 - 2009 and 2010 - 2014) approach.
Presentation 5 - Francesco Moreno REDD+ Safeguards
This short presentation on the design of REDD+ National Safeguard system underlines the
effective application and compliance with the safeguards and principles stipulated in the strategy
and the legal framework. The components of the National Safeguard System (NSS) are
crosscutting theme of the draft National REDD+ Strategy in order to ensure their application and
compliance. Accordingly, there are principles and measures relevant to safeguards in other
sections of the strategy
Institutional Arrangements and Capacity Building
Public Policy and Legal Framework
Communication, Social Participation and Transparency
Mexico identified a series of actions and steps to advance the design and implementation of the
NSS in Mexico these include
Promote a process of participation and communication during the design and implementation of the NSS.
Identification and analysis of the legal, institutional and compliance frameworks Definition of REDD+ Safeguards in Mexico
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Define the architecture and operation of the NSS – inputs from analysis to determine
Determine how the NSS and the SIS will operate between the national and state levels
Designing the structure and operation of the Safeguards Information System (SIS)
Presentation 6 - Jorge Morfin Rios Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system
for REDD+
The presentation on Mexico's REDD+ MRV system outlines the components of the national
Forest Monitoring system, the IPCC requirements, the context of the approach and inter-
institutional arrangement. The process of establishing Mexico's MRV system started in 2011
with the support of Norway, UNDP and FAO. Mexico employs Tier 2 in assessing its activity
data and determining emissions factor. The process of MRV system establishment aspires to
build the national capacity and generated lessons through engaging research institutions.
Mexico's activity data combines 4 time-series (1993, 2002, 2007, and 2011) for land use land
cover change. Mexico has advanced in its REDD+ Readiness and accomplished its international
commitments. Readiness activities also improved monitoring of national mitigation targets and
the country is now a reference in Forest Monitoring across Latin American countries.
A few questions were raised on the presentations.
DISCUSSIONS
Q What is your forest definition?
Response: According to Mexico's forest definition, land with no livestock and/or water is
considered as forest. For REDD+ MRV purposes, we adopt a forest definition which includes
woody plants, shrubs including grasslands and shrubs having 30% cover.
Q How do you tackle assessment of forest degradation?
Response: We combine two series satellite data to detect forest degradation. A historical change
is captured with Land Sat 7 and Rapid Eye Sensors are used to detect changes after 2011.
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After a lunch break, the delegation team was taken to a Fire Protection and Management facility
in the premises of CONAFOR. The following is our observation of the facility and the discussion
we had with the personnel at the fire protection department.
Visit to Fire Protection and Management Facility
Wild fire is common in different parts of Mexico and Mexico has identified wild fire priority
areas (101,43million ha high and medium priority areas). Wild fire is caused by a number of
drivers including agriculture, hunting, festivals, rituals etc,,,). While fire due to agriculture is the
major cause, 98% of wildfires are caused by humans. The Sustainable Forestry Development
Law of Mexico stipulates that Fire Management is a shared responsibility among CONAFOR,
municipal government, state government, land owners and the Federation. Mexico has a well-
developed strategy for the prevention, detection, and suppression of wildfire activities. The
strategic planning principle is to promote applied research in early warning system, moving from
fire suppression policy toward fire management policy and strengthening international
cooperation. There are 6 regional fire management centers which are aligned with the fedreal fire
managemnt center. A central fire management unit can monitor fire incidences and coordinate
onground actions with regional centeres. In general, Mexico has an advanced fire management
system in the region.
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Photo Plate 3. Ethiopian delegation visiting the central fire protection department
DAY 2
Modern Nursery Management
The delegation made a field visit to a modern nursery managed within the premises of a military
campus. A briefing, by the Nursery manager, outlines seed source, annual production capacity of
the Nursery, seedling survival rate, and the approaches used to standardize nurseries across
Mexico. A total of 236 million seedlings are produced annually across Mexico in 341 nurseries
owned by the State Governments, Municipalities, educational institutes, Military institutes,
individual nurseries and nurseries owned by CONAFOR. These nurseries are providing planting
material for reforestation activities across Mexico. The nurseries are located in areas with high
deforestation rate. A national reforestation program coordinates the reforestation activity.
Around 170,000ha of land is reforested annually largely in communal lands. Reforestation is
often done in areas with <20% forest cover and where erosion is stronger. Improving survival
rate of seedlings is a focus area of research. At national level, the current seedling survival rate
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(1 year after planting) is 43%. Currently, a number of measures are being taken to improve
seedling survival to 70%.
Photo Plate 4. Briefing on Nursery Management and a Modern Nursery
DISCUSSIONS
Q Why is survival rate so low?
Response: The 43% is a national average. In different climates, the survival rate is different. In
social forestry programs, it is expected to be low as most of the reforestation activity is taking
place in degraded areas. In commercial forestry the survival rate can be as high as 85% .
Q With diverse Nurseries, what is the mechanism of ensuring seedling quality?
Response: We ensure seedling quality by standardizing nurseries (through provision of selected
germ plasm or seed source and certifying nurseries). Standard seedling production manuals are
often used across Nurseries.
Q What is the role of the community and their benefit in reforestation activities?
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Response: We engage the communities in reforestation activities particularly in soil preparation,
fencing and fire break construction and they get payments for these activities.
Q What type of seed source you use for seedling production?
Response: we have 18 germplasm banks where we carry out feasibility and sensitivity tests. We
also use vegetative produced
Q What are the indicators of seedling vigor?
Response: Seedling height, root collar diameter, percent lignification of seedling stem, presence
of mechanical damage and % of root mass. Specific indicators are used for conifers and other
tree species.
Community Supported Reforestation Program
The next site visit was to a community supported reforestation site. The reforestation activity is
being carried out on communal land covering 1,163ha. We had a discussion with a community
member and he explained that they are working the reforestation activities on their own land.
They do soil conservation (stone band, cactus barrier) and site fencing during June to September
and start planting of seedlings during the June (wet season). The community member explained
that they are benefiting from the program as they get payments for their engagement in the
reforestation activities.
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Photo Plate 5. Visit to community managed reforestation site
DAY 3
Payment for Ecosystem Services
As per the visit schedule, the Ethiopian delegation had another trip to a field site in Mascota,
south east of Mexico. The visit was to a forest area (about 27,000ha) where communities work
with CONAFOR to sustainably mange the forest through a payment for ecosystem service (PES)
arrangement. The forest is rich in biodiversity and has a hydrological importance. In the PES
arrangement communities are required to avoid unsustainable timber extraction, avoid livestock
grazing and prevent fire. The government provided financial support (a biodiversity fund has
been established) for financing community activities to protect the forest. The government sets
up a legal and institutional arrangement for promotion of PES in more than 2.5million ha forest
area. In the PES arrangement CONAFOR enters a 5-year contract agreement with community
associations. The communities need to perform conservation activities and CONAFOR carries
out annual field visits and satellite monitoring on site conditions. Communities receive up to
USD 60,000 annually. Communities often invest the money on micro-business (local bakery,
building school). Generally, the PES arrangement and the enabling environments for its
implementation are conducive for realizing the objectives of sustainable forest management in
Mexico.
Field visit to Maple forest - Conservation for biodiversity
We had a brief visit to a Maple forest which the government conserves for biodiversity purposes.
It is a strictly conserved forest with no human interaction. A similar conservation forests are
found in different parts of Mexico. These forests together with other biodiversity focused
sustainable forest management activities will contribute Aichi 2020 global biodiversity
conservation goal.
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Photo Plate 6. A Maple forest for biodiversity conservation
DISCUSSIONS
Q What is the responsibility of communities in a PES arrangement?
Response: Communities are engaged in soil conservation, reforestation activities, fire protection
and fence protection. Mostly low income families will make use of these job opportunities.
Q What are the criteria for selection of a PES site?
Response: There are well-defined criteria which gives high priority to social and environmental
values. Some of the criteria are: areas whose water resources are over exploited, flora and fauna
in need of conservation, level of poverty etc...
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Q Which NTFPs do communities extract from the forest?
Response: Mainly mushrooms, honey and coffee.
DAY 4
Visit to Low-impact logging site
Sustainable forestry in Mexico attempts to address the national wood demand (so as to reduce
the pressure on the natural forest) and also improving the competitiveness of forest production
systems in regional markets. The plan by CONAFOR is to increase production, modernize the
industry, increase efficiency and provide technical support. The overarching government policy
encourages wood production on community land with value-adding in community-based
sawmills. Bigger timber companies in Mexico do not own land (as the maximum land that can be
provided to these companies is 25,000ha). These companies either buy logs from community
saw mills or use their own work force to extract timber from community owned plantations.
CONAFOR provides technical support to private land owners and communities while the
Ministry of Natural Resources play a regulatory role. In an attempt to promote the contribution
of forestry in the economy, CONAFOR works towards strengthening community-based wood
industries through technical support, capacity building and improving productivity. We visited
a small (4500ha) wood production site where 10 land owners form an association. With a
technical and financial support (60% of the cost is covered by government) from CONAFOR,
the association is now using a cable technology for low-impact log extraction replacing tractors.
Low-impact logging will reduce the impact on the site, improve safety, increase efficiency and
productivity. The cable technology can carry and transport 1500kg of log and transports
110cubic meter log per day.
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Photo plate 7 Low impact logging (cable technology) site
5. LESSONS LEARNED
The following lessons/best practices were identified during a wrap-up discussion that visit
participants had at the end of the visit. Some of these lessons/best practices can be adapted.
Mexico has established a system in running the forestry sector and standardized forestry
activities.
The government (CONAFOR) has strong involvement in the national forestry
development program (technical and financial support) and there is strong linkage
between CONAFOR, regional sectors, military and NGOs working in forestry sector.
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Mexico's reforestation program is quality-oriented: objective based plantation programs,
plantation programs measured by the covered area and not by number of planted
seedlings and give focus on improving seedling survival through research.
The Military is highly engaged and contributing on forestry development of the country
(modern seedling production system, vast seedling production in many nurseries all over
the country).
Mexico's nursery management can be a model for Ethiopia.
Communities own the largest (up to 70 %) forest resources and they
Mexico's PES scheme benefits community and conserved ecosystems (a very good lesson
to adapt).
Mexico has a good land use plan.
Mexico's REDD+ readiness has progressed well.
Mexico's REDD+ Strategy development was highly consultative and participatory
(lessons that Ethiopia need to take)
Mexico has a comprehensive forest inventory program.
Inter-sectoral Coordination in REDD+ is effective (lesson to learn).
6. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ETHIOPIA'S FOREST
SECTOR
The following are recommendations, on the basis of lessons learned and best practices identified
Private forestry should be encouraged in Ethiopia.
PES should be initiated in Ethiopia in a form of projects in different regions.
MEFCC should establish linkage with CONAFOR for future collaboration.
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MEFCC should work to standardize forestry activities (e.g Seed source establishment and
Nursery establishment and management).
This visit was organized and coordinated by the National REDD+ Secretariat in collaboration
with Mexico's National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR). With comments and guidance from
H.E. Ato Belete Tafere, the original content of the visit was modified so as to make the visit
practical. It is recommended that future visits should evaluate country profile and provide
sufficient information for visit participants well ahead of time to identify visit destination.
Coordination should be improved so as to make the visit smooth.
Coordination should be improved for future experience sharing visit programs.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A number of individuals and organizations have contributed their share for the success of this
visit. We are grateful of their service
CONAFOR (Comision Nacional Forestal, Mexico's Forestry Commission) - for
accepting our request, for their warm hospitality, for planning and coordinating visit
engagements and for generously sharing Mexico's lessons and experiences and for
making our stay in Mexico memorable. Two individuals, Mr Jose Armando Alanis de la
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Rosa and Mrs Miriam Andreli Solis Hernandez at CONAFOR deserve special thanks for
their company and serving us tirelessly.
The World Bank (Karin Kachelle) - for providing the necessary information in
identifying visit destination and facilitating the link with CONAFOR
The National REDD+ Secretariat/Ministry of Environment and Forest - For arranging the
visit and providing overall support.
ANNEX - Visit Participants list
H.E. Ato Belete Tafere Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest
H.E Ato Dessie Dalkie President, Southern Nations, Nationalities, Peoples Regional State
Honorable Ato Yalew Abate Speaker, Amhara Regional Government Council
Honorable Ato Sani Redi Vice President, Southern Nations, Nationalities, Peoples Regional State
& Head, SNNPR Bureau of Agriculture
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Dr Wubalem Tadesse Director General, Ethiopia Environment and Forestry Research Institute
Ato Abraham Mashalo Advisor to the President of Southern Nations, Nationalities, Peoples
Regional State
Ato Haftu Kiros Core Process Owner, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection,
Regional Bureau of Agriculture, Tigray Regional State
W/O Abrehet G/Hiwot Director, Private Forest promotion and Marketing Directorate, MEF
Dr Solomon Zewdie National REDD+ Pilots Coordinator, National REDD+ Secretariat, MEF
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