Drought and overgrazing

There is huge untapped potential in the rangelands for activities like growing high-value gums or through renewable energy. But the land in poor condition as a result of drought, unsuitable farming practices and overgrazing.

Farm Africa is carrying out a one-year pilot project in partnership with our long-standing local partner SOS Sahel Ethiopia to:

• find better ways to manage the rangelands’ natural resources

• train local communities in planning how they and their herds can best access water, food and markets.

• build partnerships between the Ethiopian government and pastoralist communities guaranteeing their right to use the land sustainably. These links will support pastoralists now, while also establishing more effective long-term joint management of the rangelands.

This innovative project is seeking to apply to a lowland area the tried-and-tested forest management approach of our nearby Bale Mountains project.

The project will also help increase our understanding of how protecting the highland forests can help maintain the flow of water to the arid lowlands.

Who are we helping?

We are working with 20,000 pastoralists to identify ways to improve the condition of the rangelands in the eastern Bale area.