Agroforestry in southern Ethiopia

Just got back to Addis from Wenago, in southern Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone. Lem Ethiopia has been active in the Wenago area for several years, and most recently implemented a Sustainable Land Management project that started in July 2011 and that we were tying up with this visit.

Lem Ethiopia organised a ceremony with the local farmers to conclude the current project. There were very few women present, likely because they were too busy or they were guarding their homes from thieves. The Wenago High School Environment Club gave a comedy performance on the adverse effects of deforestation; beehives were presented to select model farmers who were both willing to share technical knowledge and socially respected; and tree seedlings were handed out and planted.

Unfortunately, population pressure and limited resources has led land use in Wenago to drift away from agroforestry towards crop agriculture, leading to soil degradation.

Lem Ethiopia has introduced several SWC (Soil and Water Conservation) methods to the farmers. Here, water fills the trough and is absorbed by the tree seedling planted next to it.

More SWC through vetivers, whose deep roots absorb water and prevent runoff and soil erosion. Vetivers' other uses include animal feed, perfume, and insect repellent.

Primary school kids running and chanting environmental songs, holding signs like "CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT TREE."

Construction of a new local health post by Lem Ethiopia, simultaneously promoting usage of mud bricks as an alternative to wood.

We also had a field visit to the farms themselves to get feedback on the project's input:

Shoes caked in heavy mud from the wet path after a tropical downpour.

Urine diversion toilets, which separate urine and faeces, built by Lem for the local school. The faeces are stored with ash over them and later used as compost.

Agroforestry in its full glory. At the top are birbira, bisana and wanza trees, perfect for giving dappled shade to coffee, while simultaneously increasing soil fertility. Below are banana and ensete (false banana) trees. The bushes in the background are coffee plants. Lower are some sugarcane plants. Finally, at the bottom are cabbage, peppers, and godere (taro).

Maize growing on what used to be barren land with infertile, depleted soil.

Likewise, wheat, with a lone mango seedling, on what used to be barren land.

A model farmer's new water harvesting pond for irrigation (the angel in the back is me measuring my height against a maize stalk).

Traditional beehives made of mud.

A model farmer, his wife, and their new, more efficient beehives provided by Lem Ethiopia.

After conducting an in-depth interview with the farmer and his wife, through a translator.

A typical hut and home garden. In the back is the hen house, from which a wild cat recently stole chickens.