Sustainable tree-crop-livestock intensification as a pillar for the Ethiopian climate resilient green economy initiative – ICRAF led project funded by USAID Aster G/Kirstos (PhD) and Kiros Meles Hadgu (PhD) Presented at National Dialog On Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and its role on the CRGE July, ILRI, Ethiopia

Content Major Development challenges Overcoming the challenges? Role of ICRAF (in relation to other partners) Preliminary project outputs Key questions for discussion

- High Degradation - Climate change/variability - Population pressure -Increasing food and energy demand Major Development Challenges

World Bank World Development Indicators South Asia Kg per Hectare Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America East Asia Cereal Yields by Region Source: Dennis Garrity, ICRAF

World Bank World Development Indicators grams per Hectare Fertilizer Use by Region Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia Latin America East Asia Source: Dennis Garrity, ICRAF

Overcoming the challenges Can agroforestry contribute to overcome some of the challenges of Ethiopian development? YES! Sustainable intensification of mixed tree-crop-livestock systems on farms and within farming landscapes can reverse land degradation, and improve crop productivity, livestock feed availability and food security (Garrity et al., 2010).

Overcoming the challenges (Contd) Ethiopian government initative The Ethiopian Government has launched innovative approaches that include a Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRG 2012). Faidherbia Program (to establish 100 million Faidherbia albida trees on cereal cropland during the next four years). Reforestation of 15 million hectares of land (on farm & communal land)

Role of ICRAF ICRAF to be deeply engaged in supporting the CRGE (underpinning the governments programs on watershed management and agroforestry). ICRAF led Africa Rising early win project Sustainable tree-crop-livestock intensification as a pillar for the Ethiopian CRGE in collaboration with ILRI, EAIR and MU

Major Objectives of the project To document local knowledge about integrating trees in fields, farms and landscapes Best bet tree species and management options identified Needs for development of the tree seed and seedling supply sector assessed Effective partnerships for promoting tree-crop- livestock integration to underpin the climate resilient green economy initiative established (the purpose of this dialogue)

Major successes and challenges in Arsi (Bekoji) Preliminary results on local knowledge What does the current system look like? Eucalyptus is the dominant tree species in the system Native tree cover (both in forest and as AF) has been continuously declining Loss of soil is apparent in many locations within the landscapes

What do farmers know and explain well? Major causes for loss of tree cover Expansion of agriculture (crop & livestock), un- sustainable use of different uses of forest products (e.g., fire wood) Preliminary results on local knowledge (Contd)

Major challenges: Especially AF species (Bekoji) Free grazing (livestock damage seedlings) Lack of seedlings of appropriate species Slow growth rate of native species (which are good as AF species Preliminary results on local knowledge (Contd)

Major successes and challenges in Tigray (Abreha Atsibha) Preliminary results on local knowledge (Contd) What does the current system look like? Improved vegetation cover decrease sediment deposition increase water infiltration

What does the current system look like? improve land stabilization improve fertility of the soil production of grasses for fodder/livestock Preliminary results on local knowledge (Contd) Cut and Carry livestock feeding

Tree seed and seedling supply sector (in Tigray) Major challenges: Especially AF species (Abreha Atsibha) Lack of seedlings of appropriate tree species Slow growth rate of native species

Mean tree seed distribution by FRC from (2006/ /11): top ten Tree Seed and Seeding supply

Major tree and shrub species planted in Arsi Highlands Chamaecytisus palmensis Eucalyptus globulus Cupressus lusitanica Sesbania sp Acacia decurrens A. melanoxylon Grevillea robusta Casuarina equisetifolia Dovyalis caffra Juniperus procera Tree Seed and Seeding supply (Contd)

Key Discussion points What should be done to make the tree-crop- livestock intensification strong enough to support the green economy initiatives and other multiple roles? – Policy (e.g., creating synergy among policies) – Research & development (Priorities) – Extension and advocacy – Capacity building – Partnership and networking – Market and Gender

There is massive tree planting initative that should be commended and what are the measures taken to ensure its success Open access grazing management system (What are the experiences in different regions) Maintenance and care after seedling plantation Planting the right trees (based on farmers preference and ecological suitability) Points for reflection Open Grazing management and post planting management plan..

The need to creating synergy among disciplines and scientist from crop, tree livestock etc (unfortunately this is seldom the case) Would it be successful without integrating other measures like family planning, education (women), technology development, nutrtional change, etc? Sustainable Agricultural intensification

Can we talk about sustainable agricultural Intensification with out considering tree as integral part of the system Often time crop scientist considr trees on farmlands undesirable...what is your say on this Is Crop livestock intensification similar to Agricultural intensification

How to promote/scale up successful initatives and practices among regions

THANK YOU!