| About Necofa | General Acitivities | Projects | National Network Groups | Picture Gallery | Services | Contact & Imprint |
|
Proposal |
ETHIOPIA, Addis Ababa
August 1999
The international training course-Workshop on Ecofarming-Ecologically and Socially Sustainable Land Management was held in Ethiopia at different sites from November 16 to December 11, 1998. On this training, which was sponsored jointly by ZEL and DSE, 24 professionals participated from seven African countries.
Ecofarming recognises man as a part and parcel of the ecosystem. It targets the small scale farmers who are the largest majority of agricultural community in the developing world. The basic elements of ecofarming technologies include the use of green manure or multiple purpose plants, utilisation of indigenous knowledge, practice and farming technologies with the optimum use of external inputs especially agrochemical and pesticide, etc.
The objective of the workshop was to help participants be familiarised with the principles and concepts of ecofarming and exchange experiences. In order to materialise the implementation of ecofarming at grassroots level and facilitate information dissemination the workshop participants had established a network - Network for Ecofarming in Africa-NECOFA, at the conclusion of the workshop.
Ethiopia as an agricultural country and member of NECOFA can make use of the concepts and principles of ecofarming to promote sustainable agricultural development and food security. In this regard, deep involvement of planners, researchers, extension workers and the rural target group is inevitable.
This workshop proposal is intended to establish a channel towards developing ecofarming in the country.
The adoption and promotion of ecofarming is an essential undertaking especially in countries like Ethiopia where the dominant economic centre - the small holder agriculture accounts for about 55% of the GDP, 85% of the export and 80% of the total employment. The coverage of the non-arable land of the country has increased to 49%, excluding marginal lands of significant moisture limitation and steep lands greater than 30% slope. With the inclusion of thus land categories, the percentage rises to about 72% (MOA/UNDP/FAO, 1998).
Practically speaking, the agricultural sector in Ethiopia is mainly rainfed agriculture, which rests in the hands of small holders characteristically mixed farming system. It is highly diversified and plays a key role in the socio-economic life of the population. However, it neither met the food need of the population nor provided the rural population with a better income to obtain a better life. Researchers indicate that food supply in general has not been stable and not in pace with the population growth of about 3%.
The constraints on the productivity growth of the sector are of different character, some of which are:
The nutrient loss and soil erosion have resulted in forgone agricultural production close to 60,000 tons of grain per year. According to the World Bank study, nutrient loss due to the removal of dung and crop residue is the major features of land degradation.
The country's natural resource base is being unwisely exploited, affecting the wellbeing of the whole population. In order to improve agricultural productivity and achieve food security the strategy currently implemented is application of high inputs of agrochemical. The immediate effects of these inputs might be gratifying. The crux of this matter is sustainability, which is doubtful.
Experiences prove that the sustainability of agricultural productivity and achievement of food security were seriously threatened by the application of inappropriate technologies. The deterioration of natural resources and the main environmental problems like gene losses, destruction bio diversity, land, forest, and water resources degradation, salinisation, acidification, desertification, pollution of water, soil and air, etc., are all aggravated due to the application of inappropriate technologies.
The ecological disturbances caused by these "development" centred unsustainable activities have their direct repercussion of the socio-economic life of the community.
The possibilities of effective operation of NECOFA and realisation of ecofarming practices in Ethiopia are based on the following rationales.
a) Ethiopia is an agricultural country with a small holder farming system possessing less than two hectares. This goes in line with the appropriate target audience for ecofarming, making Ethiopia an ideal country for practising ecofarming.
b) The country has a large number of site appropriate indigenous farming system, which are to be assessed and inventored. Some of these technologies are older than 2500 years and yet exist. There are many opportunities experiment and utilise a large number of site appropriate ecofarming technologies.
c) The country has a great geographic diversity, with altitudes ranging from 4620 masl down to 110 masl. The rainfall gap is as well as the geographic diversity ranging from 2700 mm to 200mm. Agro-ecologically, it is defined in to five zones ranging from above 3200 masl to less than 500 masl. This implies the land use of the country is much diversified-another important element for ecofarming practices.
d) Ethiopia has experienced a number of political and social changes with their different approaches and programs of economic development. And yet the country has not achieved food security and sustainable farming system. These are good experiences to rethink the past and make ecofarming acceptable as an alternative.
e) Various technical co-operation projects and numerous NGO's are found in the country. Most of them are working towards conservation based rural development activities at grassroots level. This creates a sustainable condition to form partnership for the operation of the network and experience exchanging.
f) Good facilities of agricultural education and research as well as extension services are available in Ethiopia. This makes the condition convenient for inventorying, experimenting, practising, and promoting technologies.
g) The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, through its house of People's Representatives, has ratified two vital documents - The Conservation Strategy and the Environmental Policy - both of which are in line with the principles and concept of ecofarming. Thus the current Ethiopian political situation is completely suitable for the promotion of ecofarming and active functioning of the network.
h) The demand for agricultural inputs like fertiliser, pesticide, herbicide, improved seed etc., is tremendously increasing from time to time. However, these inputs are too expensive and are not readily available for the small holder farmers of the country. In this regard, application of ecofarming technology would minimise the problem significantly.
All NECOFA founding members
Potential members
Government and Non Government Institutions
Resource Persons and Guests
Service-giving
Total (potential): 42
It is tentatively proposed that the workshop will be undertaken at the end of September 28-30, 1999, Semen Hotel, Addis Ababa.
| About Necofa | General Acitivities | Projects | National Network Groups | Picture Gallery | Services | Contact & Imprint |
