33
as mulch on smaller farms and on lands more intensively cultivated combined with
a higher intensity in livestock production (Brown et al. 2018). Crop residues are also
increasingly privatised and sold as fodder in Ethiopia (Valbuena et al. 2012).
A study assessing the adoption potential of CA across Ethiopia used low livestock density or controlled grazing, good market access, high population density
and moderate rainfall (above 500 mm) as criteria for high potential for CA (Tesfaye
et al. 2015). Based on these criteria, it was assessed that 9% of the cultivated area
had a high socio-economic and biophysical potential for CA, whilst 24% of the
cultivated area was considered unsuitable for CA. In Ethiopia, it is high livestock
density in particular that limits the opportunities for CA (Tesfaye et al. 2015).
7 Practical Experiences of CA
Experiences on CA in Ethiopia have accumulated over the last 20 years through
research and development projects. CA has been promoted in Ethiopia through
Sasakawa Global 2000, the Sustainable Land Management Programme of the
Ministry of Agriculture, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the Drylands Coordination
Group and the SIMLESA project. The introduction of CA with mulching is a challenge in Ethiopia as farmers prefer to use crop residue as fodder because it gives an
immediate benefit, whilst the benefits from using straw for mulching may not necessarily be seen in the first years. The free grazing system also makes the use of residues as mulch difficult in Ethiopia. Only 3% of farmers retain as much as 1 Mg
mulch ha
−1
in Ethiopia (Baudron et al. 2014).
CA has been introduced in the Wolaita and Sidamo regions through the NGO
Terepeza Development Association, with funding from the Canadian Foodgrains
Bank. This NGO has been promoting CA since 2013. CA was initially part of an
integrated development programme, but since 2015, there has been a specific project on CA promotion. CA has been adopted by around 7000 households in the
Wolaita area. The Wolaita area has favourable rainfall conditions as it receives about
1300 mm rainfall year
−1
. The adoption seems to be genuine as there is no input or
other forms of subsidies following the training on CA. In the first years, CA was
demonstrated in training centres set up by the Ministry of Agriculture and on the
cultivated land of schools, but as confidence in CA has grown, the approach is now
demonstrated in the farmers’ own fields. In Wolaita, the project has been able to
reach 10 of the 40 villages. Project objectives were erosion control, increased soil
fertility and to address climate variability. CA is practised in annual crops such as
maize, lab-lab (Lablab purpureus), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and taro (Colocasia
esculenta) and in perennial crops such as enset (Ensete ventricosum) and papaya
(Carica papaya). Bylaws have been introduced in the area to restrict free grazing of
crop residues and thereby ensure that a significant amount of crop residues are used
as mulch. The mulching materials used include crop residues, household waste and
other types of organic material. Farmers use crop residues for both mulching and
fodder. The upper part of the maize straw is used for fodder, whilst the lower part of
The Prospects for Conservation Agriculture in Ethiopia
as mulch on smaller farms and on lands more intensively cultivated combined with
a higher intensity in livestock production (Brown et al. 2018). Crop residues are also
increasingly privatised and sold as fodder in Ethiopia (Valbuena et al. 2012).
A study assessing the adoption potential of CA across Ethiopia used low livestock density or controlled grazing, good market access, high population density
and moderate rainfall (above 500 mm) as criteria for high potential for CA (Tesfaye
et al. 2015). Based on these criteria, it was assessed that 9% of the cultivated area
had a high socio-economic and biophysical potential for CA, whilst 24% of the
cultivated area was considered unsuitable for CA. In Ethiopia, it is high livestock
density in particular that limits the opportunities for CA (Tesfaye et al. 2015).
7 Practical Experiences of CA
Experiences on CA in Ethiopia have accumulated over the last 20 years through
research and development projects. CA has been promoted in Ethiopia through
Sasakawa Global 2000, the Sustainable Land Management Programme of the
Ministry of Agriculture, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the Drylands Coordination
Group and the SIMLESA project. The introduction of CA with mulching is a challenge in Ethiopia as farmers prefer to use crop residue as fodder because it gives an
immediate benefit, whilst the benefits from using straw for mulching may not necessarily be seen in the first years. The free grazing system also makes the use of residues as mulch difficult in Ethiopia. Only 3% of farmers retain as much as 1 Mg
mulch ha
−1
in Ethiopia (Baudron et al. 2014).
CA has been introduced in the Wolaita and Sidamo regions through the NGO
Terepeza Development Association, with funding from the Canadian Foodgrains
Bank. This NGO has been promoting CA since 2013. CA was initially part of an
integrated development programme, but since 2015, there has been a specific project on CA promotion. CA has been adopted by around 7000 households in the
Wolaita area. The Wolaita area has favourable rainfall conditions as it receives about
1300 mm rainfall year
−1
. The adoption seems to be genuine as there is no input or
other forms of subsidies following the training on CA. In the first years, CA was
demonstrated in training centres set up by the Ministry of Agriculture and on the
cultivated land of schools, but as confidence in CA has grown, the approach is now
demonstrated in the farmers’ own fields. In Wolaita, the project has been able to
reach 10 of the 40 villages. Project objectives were erosion control, increased soil
fertility and to address climate variability. CA is practised in annual crops such as
maize, lab-lab (Lablab purpureus), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and taro (Colocasia
esculenta) and in perennial crops such as enset (Ensete ventricosum) and papaya
(Carica papaya). Bylaws have been introduced in the area to restrict free grazing of
crop residues and thereby ensure that a significant amount of crop residues are used
as mulch. The mulching materials used include crop residues, household waste and
other types of organic material. Farmers use crop residues for both mulching and
fodder. The upper part of the maize straw is used for fodder, whilst the lower part of
The Prospects for Conservation Agriculture in Ethiopia