Addis Ababa: Ethiopia is actively implementing a sustainable land use project aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands and promoting sustainable land use practices across the nation. This initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Development, is titled the “Food Systems, Rehabilitation and Sustainable Land Management Project.”
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Mulugeta Worku, the Program Coordinator at the Ministry, explained that the project has been operational since last year, with a budget of 20.8 million USD. The primary objective is to establish systems that ensure responsible land use to prevent degradation, focusing on regions known for their wild coffee production such as Oromia, Southern Ethiopia, South-Western Ethiopia, and Sidama.
Efforts have already been made in areas like Bale and Kefa, as well as Yayu, to support forest coffee cultivation while preserving its natural flavors. The project also involves the stumping of old coffee trees to boost productivity.
Over the next six ye
ars, the project aims to rehabilitate 60,000 hectares of degraded land in collaboration with local administrations. It is expected to benefit 440,000 smallholder farmers and generate employment opportunities for youth through nature-based conservation and restoration activities.
The overall goal of the project is to establish sustainable and integrated land use practices, rehabilitate lands damaged by human activity and natural causes, and mitigate the impact of climate change on local ecosystems and agricultural productivity.