In Ethiopia, deforestation rates remain high and the gap between demand and domestic supply of forest products is expanding, even though government-initiated re-greening efforts began over a century ago. Today, over 3 million hectares (ha) of degraded forest land are under area exclosure; smallholder plantations cover 0.8 million ha; and state-owned industrial plantations stagnate at under 0.25 million ha. This review captures experiences related to re-greening practices in Ethiopia, specifically with regards to area exclosure and afforestation and reforestation, and distills lessons regarding processes, achievements and challenges. The findings show that farmers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are the main players, and that the private sector has so far played only a small role. The role of the government was mixed: supportive in some cases and hindering in others. The challenges of state- and NGO-led re-greening practices are: inadequate involvement of communities; poorly defined rehabilitation objectives; lack of management plans; unclear responsibilities and benefit-sharing arrangements; and poor silvicultural practices. The lessons include: a more active role for non-state actors in re-greening initiatives; more attention to market signals; devolution of management responsibility; clear definition of responsibilities and benefit-sharing arrangements; and better tenure security, which are all major factors to success.

The growing demand for construction and fuel wood and the wide adaptation of Eucalyptus to the different agro-ecological zones of the country are resulting in increased plantation of Eucalyptus by smallholders, but the policy environment in Ethiopia discourages farmers from planting this exotic. While rural and urban households supported the planting of Eucalyptus, district level politicians opposed its planting, and researchers had reservations about it. The opposition of the politicians appears to be founded on fears of damage to the ecosystem. This study was conducted to examine the contribution of Eucalyptus to meeting wood and cash needs of rural households, on-farm management of Eucalyptus, and the perception of stakeholders in Central Ethiopia about this tree. Of tree species, Eucalyptus was ranked first by farmers, indicating conflicts between policy makers and local communities over market needs for Eucalyptus wood. A market survey showed that 74% of firewood sold in the district capital was Eucalyptus. The tree generated a quarter of annual cash incomes of rural households, and contributed significantly to subsistence. Almost half of the farmers had overstocked their Eucalyptus woodlots, indicating that plantation management needs improving. The study shows that Eucalyptus plays an important role in the livelihoods of smallholders, and that attempts to discourage Eucalyptus, in the absence of viable alternatives, will worsen wood scarcity in the Ethiopian highlands.

Johansson, M. U., S. D. Senay, E. Creathorn, H. Kassa, and K. Hylander. 2019. Change in heathland fire sizes inside vs. outside the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, over 50 years of fire-exclusion policy: lessons for REDD+. Ecology and Society 24(4):26. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11260-240426

Land management is a multi-dimensional and multi-institutional engagement that demands collective analysis, design, and implementation of innovations. Its importance for Ethiopia cannot be overemphasized, as land degradation threatens food security and environmental sustainability. Building on a specific case study of a project in Southern Ethiopia, the present article describes how the government and non-state agencies are collaborating to learn together while promoting improved land management practices and implementing land rehabilitation programs in communal areas and farmlands in the Ethiopian highlands. Ensuring full involvement and commitment of stakeholders at different levels, building the capacity of local institutions, and redefining the role of communities and the state in a dynamic way are essential prerequisites for success. Suggestions have also been formulated to facilitate wider adoption and scaling up of improved land management innovations.

The production of gums and resins in Ethiopia falls far short of its potential, even though the export volume and