Land Degradation in Ethiopia: Its Extent and Impact

Abstract

In Ethiopia 85% of the population are directly supported by the agricultural economy. However, the productivity of that economy is being seriously eroded by unsustainable land management practices both in areas of food crops and in grazing lands. The direct costs of loss of soil and essential nutrients due to unsustainable land management is estimated to be about three percent of agricultural GDP or $106 million (1994 ). Other modeling work suggests that the loss of agricultural value between 2000-2010 will be a huge $7 billion. None of these estimates takes account of the indirect impacts of land degradation in Ethiopia. A number of factors contribute to unsustainable land management in Ethiopia. With steady growth in population, clearing of woodland for agriculture has been a continuous process at an estimated rate of 62,000 ha a year; methods of cereal production are conducive to soil loss and dung and crop residues are needed for fuel, reducing their use as fertilizers. Root causes of these problems include historical and changing patterns of land ownership and government control, low levels of investment in agriculture and animal husbandry, poor rural infrastructure and markets and low levels of technology. Remedial measurers have in the past focused on physical structures including terracing and bunding. Donor support has provided new levels of fertilizer input, but the difficulties of transportation and marketing has reduced the impact of improved productivity in the areas affected. Policy, institutional and participation issues are not usually highlighted in remedial measures and these directed to the regional issues and needs within Ethiopia could be an important component of future actions.