report visit trees for farmers september 2012 (short version) · pdf file1 report visit trees...
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Report visit Trees For Farmers September 2012 (short version)
Prepared by: Bert Reubens
Based on field visits and discussions with the MU-coordinator (Buruh Abebe), the facilitators (Araya
Tsadik and G/Hiwot Fitsum) and many other local stakeholders
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Table of contents Introduction and overview of project activities ...................................................................................... 3
Site specific information: ‘old site’ Aynmbrkekin .................................................................................... 5
Site specific information: ‘new site’ Selam ............................................................................................. 6
Site specific information: Adi Zaboy ........................................................................................................ 8
Site specific information: gully Adi Worho (Tabia Selam) ....................................................................... 9
Site specific information: gully Adi Kolakol (Tabia Aynmbrkekin) ......................................................... 11
New local nursery plots ......................................................................................................................... 12
School and homestead planting activities ............................................................................................. 14
Planting data and survival counts ......................................................................................................... 16
Farmers demonstration day and workshop .......................................................................................... 18
Ideas for the future ............................................................................................................................... 20
Questions? Suggestions? Contact? Financial support? ......................................................................... 23
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Introduction and overview of project activities
Brief history and objectives
Trees For Farmers (TFF) started in 2005, as a spin-off from a VLIR – Own Initiatives project
(Mekelle University – KULeuven) on forest rehabilitation.
Initially, tree seedlings raised at the nursery of Mekelle University (MU) were distributed for
planting in farmer homesteads, schools and forest relics.
Since 2008, focus shifted to enrichment planting in exclosures (areas where grazing animals and
cultivation are excluded so as to enable natural regeneration), though the initial distribution
activities continues on a smaller scale.
TFF is a multipurpose project with a clear focus on forest rehabilitation and safeguarding of
ecosystem services such as water and soil quality, wood provision and climate mitigation through
carbon storage. Priority is given to indigenous tree species, suited for the sites where they are
planted.
What makes TFF different from other rehabilitation initiatives, is the broad attention given to
tree survival and quality, local capacity building and benefits for the local communities involved.
As such, TFF also has a social dimension: our facilitators are supposed to be in close contact with
other organizations but especially the local communities. TFF is more and more growing towards
a multistakeholder process. Priority is given to poor, landless farmers to be involved in our
project activities.
People directly involved
On the Ethiopian site:
Dr. Kindeya Gebrehiwot: MU vice-president
Sarah Tewoldeberhan and Buruh Abebe: forestry researchers and current project coordinators
(Previously involved assistant coordinators, in chronological order: Aklilu Negussie, Reddae
Tadesse, Tekalign Simeneh)
Araya Tsadik and Gebre Hiwot Fitsum: project facilitators in Hagere Selam and Adi Zaboy area,
respectively
8 exclosure and gully guards
2 nursery workers
Many daily labourers for planting activities
On the Belgian site:
A working group with about eight active members
A cooperation of three organizations (Ere Mela Mela, Bosplus and Herbebossing Hoorn van
Afrika)
A link with research (VLIR-UOS and KULeuven)
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Exclosure and gully sites
At this moment, for the TFF activities in exclosures and gully sites, roughly two areas can be
distinguished:
“Hagere Selam area”: this area in Dogu’a Tembien woreda (a woreda is an administrative
district) includes the ‘old site’ Aynmbrkekin next to Adi Koilo village, the ‘new site’ Selam upslope
Adi Worho village, one gully in Adi Kolakol and two gullies in Adi Worho (Figure 1).
The “Adi Zaboy site”: this area in woreda Wukro is situated in the Northeast of Mekelle, along
the road to Wukro. It includes one exclosure area.
Figure 1. Hagere Selam area
Other planting activities
Besides enrichment planting in exclosures and gullies, planting activities have taken place in about 16
schools, 18 church forest relics and at individual farm homesteads in about 26 tabias (a tabia is a
smaller village within a district), mainly during the initial years of the project.
Objective of this report
This report is based on the field visit of Bert Reubens in September 2012 and contains a general
description of the project TFF, the current status of the project, but also a project evaluation,
planning and ideas for the future.
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Site specific information: ‘old site’ Aynmbrkekin
Basic information:
Enrichment planting started in: 2008
Current area covered: to be measured by GPS
Amount of seedlings planted so far: 21.000
Names of current guards (2): Yohannes & Abraha
Situation
This exclosure lies in Tabia Aynmbrkekin (village Adi Koilo) on a slope which is first gentle and then
becomes steeper, just below the elementary school of Adi Koilo and upslope from a big water
reservoir. It has a quite well-performing cover of naturally growing Acacia etbaica trees. Several
paths cross the exclosure, most of which are however out of use nowadays, except for one steep
path between the school and the lower reservoir. On the site of Adi Koilo, a big path going from the
main Mekelle – Hagere Selam road to Adi Koilo village, passes along the exclosure. Since disturbance
was quite high there, a long stone wall has been constructed by TFF. This certainly reduced but still
does not fully exclude disturbance.
Pictures: Upper left: start of the exclosure near to the school. Upper right: view on the Eastern side of
the exclosure. Lower left: view on the Western slope of the exclosure. Lower right: gabion dam.
Points of attention regarding tree seedling condition
Amongst others, species planted in this site are Acacia abyssinica, Acacia etbaica, Dodonaea
angustifolia, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Juniperus procera, Cordia Africana, Sesbania
sesban, Dovyalis abyssinica and Ziziphus spina-christi.
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As in most sites in this area, Dodonaea is strikingly performing very well in this site. The young
planted trees were pruned for the first time this year (2012). It would have been better to start
pruning also in the previous years, but still there is no problem to prune in such way that a
straight stem and height growth is promoted.
Also the in this site naturally present Acacia trees have been pruned for the first time this year.
The pruning was performed (very well!) by our guards and the wood was given to poor farmers,
according to agreements on Tabia-level.
Olea should be pruned very soon as well here as to guarantee valuable trees with upward growth
(if not pruned, Olea seedlings have the intention to grow laterally on the ground).
Juniperus is not performing very well in this site. There could be different reasons: damage by car
transport (these seedlings are grown in Mekelle), not enough watering, inappropriate planting
method, etc.
Though initially survival seemed to be quite good, final survival (after the 1st count) of the
seedlings planted in 2011 was relatively disappointing. Several aspects may have contributed to
this: seed quality, seedling planting, lack of water, etc. See below. There is a need for a more
open and immediate communication on bottlenecks throughout the year.
Site specific information: ‘new site’ Selam
Basic information:
Enrichment planting started in: 2010
Current area covered: to be measured by GPS
Amount of seedlings planted so far: 12.664
Names of the current guards (2): G/Giorgis & Tekelu
Situation
This exclosure lies in Tabia Selam (village Adi Worho) on a slope which is first steep and then
becomes gentle, just below Tabia Kunale. It includes one big gully on top of which a grass field with a
pond is present. Previously (before TFF activity) huge water infiltration trenches have been dug
inside the exclosure. It had almost no woody cover prior to TFF activities, except on top of and along
the gully. Grass and herb species are however widely present. A path crosses the exclosure, which is
nevertheless quite well-protected from intruding. Also on top of the gully, a stone wall has been
constructed by TFF, which however needs to be further extended still.
Points of attention regarding tree seedling condition
Amongst others, species planted in this site are Acacia abyssinica, Acacia etbaica, Dodonaea
angustifolia, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Juniperus procera, Cordia Africana, Sesbania
sesban, Dovyalis abyssinica and Ziziphus spina-christi.
Most seedlings seem to be in very good condition. This site clearly has a higher water availability
than the one in Aynmbrkekin.
As in most sites, Dodonaea angustifolia is performing strikingly well in this site. The young trees
were pruned for the first time this year (2012). It would have been better to start pruning also in
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the previous years, but still there is no problem to prune in such way that a straight stem and
height growth is promoted.
Olea pruning has also started (resulting in high quality saplings) and should be continued.
A number of small plots with fodder species (Pigeon pea) has been established as well. They are
yearly harvested by a different team of about 20 persons from the local community.
Pictures: Upper left: view on the exclosure slope with Adi Worho village down. Upper right: exclosure
gully with stone wall. Lower left: High-quality pruned Dodonaea. Lower right: Pond on the top.
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Site specific information: Adi Zaboy
Basic information:
Enrichment planting started in: 2011
Current area covered: to be measured by GPS
Amount of seedlings planted so far: 10.000
Name of the current guard (1): Girmay
Project facilitator: G/Hiwot Fitsum, involved since January 2012.
Situation
This huge exclosure lies in Tabia Adi Zaboy, just upstream the town of Agul’a. The exclosure nearly
covers an entire catchment slope. Some parts of the exclosure already had a quite good woody cover
prior to TFF activities, in other parts cover is still lacking. Also soil type is varying within the exclosure.
This creates a lot of ‘micro habitats’ where we can experiment with suitability of different tree
species.
Several paths cross the exclosure, which is nevertheless quite well-protected from intruding. Water
shortage is a serious issue. A yearly rotating grass harvesting system was already installed prior to
TFF activities, and BOARD previously appointed two guards (our guard is one of these) for this
exclosure. A big ‘bee farm’, supported by several NGO’s, is found in the same exclosure. This farm
recently expanded, which resulted in disagreement with the local community who claims not to have
any benefit from this bee farm. Apart from this bigger organisation, also two smaller groups of
(landless) young farmers recently started beekeeping activities in the exclosure. This creates
opportunities for future cooperation. Anyhow, these people need to be involved in the participatory
processes (e.g. for site but certainly also species selection, as well as guarding activities).
Points of attention regarding tree seedling condition
Amongst others, species planted in this site are Olea europaea (a lot!), Dodonaea angustifolia,
Acacia abyssinica, Acacia etbaica, Dovyalis abyssinica, Juniperus procera, Faidherbia albida,
Grevillea robusta and Jacaranda mimosifolia.
Most seedlings seem to be in good condition at this moment. However, both Buruh and G/Hiwot
stress the problem of drought: last year, mortality highly increased after January when watering
becomes more difficult. This site has clearly a very low water availability (soil already dry at the
time of visit while in Hagere Selam it was still raining).
As in most sites, Dodonaea is performing strikingly well in this site. It could however use some
pruning already (not performed so far).
Olea and Juniperus mortality is high, reflecting the huge need of more water.
A lot of Olea plants are not planted under shelter of other shrubs. Buruh believes shelter could in
the end also create too much competition. We agree that some smaller trials could be set up to
see the most suited planting conditions for this species.
This year, two year old Juniperus has been planted. They will need growth support very soon!!
Dovyalis is, as in every site, planted as a kind of natural fence along the main road.
Though the project focuses on rehabilitation with indigenous tree species, a relatively small
amount of exotics have been planted as a trial along a walking path, mainly Grevillea robusta and
Jacaranda mimosifolia. These species are demanded by the local communities, fast growing and
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having high value. So far, particularly Grevillea is performing well, while Jacaranda has a
relatively poor performance.
Fodder species (Pigeon pea) have been sown in lines, as a trial to evaluate performance.
Pictures: Upper left: exclosure with Agul’a town in the valley. Upper right: view towards the other
direction. Lower left: Start of exclosure beside the main road. Lower right: half moon structure.
Site specific information: gully Adi Worho (Tabia Selam)
Basic information:
Incorporated in TFF since 2011 – previously trees were planted for research purpose.
Enrichment planting started in: 2012
Current area covered: to be measured by GPS
Amount of seedlings planted so far: to be confirmed
Names of the current guard (1): Hailay Wolde Cheal
Situation
This ‘site’ (rather a linear element) consists of two separate protected plots positioned along and
inside two further expanding gullies downstream the village of Adi Worho. These gullies finally end in
one central river in the lowest part of the catchment. Tree seedlings (Sesbania, Dodonaea and Acacia
in the first gully, Faidherbia, Cordia and Psidium in the second gully) were planted here first in 2006
for the purpose of a PhD research (Bert Reubens), were later protected from intruding between 2009
and 2011 by MU (without any other activity), and finally incorporated in TFF for further rehabilitation
and expansion.
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We mainly focus on one of the two plots in this report (the eldest and biggest one, with initially
Sesbania, Dodonaea and Acacia planted – see pictures). The gully is still quite active and further
retreating backward. While the situation downstream the protected plot is quite ok, further
treatment upstream, at catchment level, will be needed to stop further expanding.
The planted part of the gully forms an ecological corridor between the exclosures upstream the same
slope and those on the other side of the valley.
Pictures: Left: view towards the lower valley, alongside the rehabilitated part of the gully. Right:
upslope view showing the upper catchment and gully retreat beyond the current fence.
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Site specific information: gully Adi Kolakol (Tabia Aynmbrkekin)
Basic information:
Incorporated in TFF since 2011 – previously research plot
Enrichment planting started in: 2011
Current area covered: to be measured by GPS
Amount of seedlings planted so far: to be confirmed
Names of the current guard (1): Hailu G/Her
Situation
This ‘site’ consists of a linear protected plot (split in two parts) positioned along and inside a gully on
the eastside of the village of Adi Kolakol. This gully, with a gentle slope, starts on a water outlet on
the main Mekelle – Hagere Selam road and finally ends on a steep cliff close to May Ba’ati forest
relic. Tree seedlings (Sesbania, Dodonaea and Acacia in the upper part, Faidherbia, Cordia and
Psidium in the lower part) were planted here first in 2006 for the purpose of a PhD research (Bert
Reubens), were later protected from intruding between 2009 and 2011 by MU, and finally
incorporated in TFF for further rehabilitation and expansion.
The gully is still quite active and further retreating backward. The planted part of the gully forms an
ecological corridor between the exclosures on the other site of the main road, the small exclosure
near to this gully and the forest relic and exclosures further downstream.
Pictures: Left: view towards the main road, with the recently constructed gabion check dam inside the
main gully channel. Right: detail inside the gully, with well-developed Dodonaea and Sesbania.
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New local nursery plots
The idea was raised to establish two local nursery plots, one inside the ‘old’ exclosure of
Aynmbrkekin & one inside the ‘new’ exclosure of Selam. There are several reasons to do so, as
shortly summarized in this paragraph.
Motivation
In order to invest in local capacity building and locally suited seedlings, we previously decided to raise
seedlings in the existing nearby nursery of Ruba Woini. However, several problems are noted:
Accessibility is difficult. This results in limited controllability: where do the seedlings go? Is the
payment for transport in proportion to the use in our sites? Etc.
Also seed and seedling quality are below expectations: seed of low quality was used and
seedlings were damaged by transport.
Advantages of local nursery plots inside exclosures
An enhanced controllability both by Araya and the MU coordinators: upon visiting the exclosure,
also the nursery can be visited.
Additional assistance by Araya is facilitated.
A nursery worker will be present and may contribute to guarding & maintenance activities.
No transport cost or damage.
Immediate backup to replace seedlings who died or performed bad in the same planting season.
Local capacity building and overall demonstration value (all activities concentrated in one area).
Prerequisites – potential bottlenecks
Water availability throughout the year is a necessity
Seed of appropriate quality
Controllability: strict guarding is necessary to avoid seedlings to be damaged or removed
Criteria selection nursery workers
Living nearby the site - always present
Preferably some previous experience
Gender issue
Eager to take initiative and contribute to the management work of the guards. Communicative.
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Pictures: selected plots for the new nurseries in Aynmbrkekin (left) and Selam (right).
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School and homestead planting activities
During Bert’s visit, five schools in Kolla Tembien area were visited. We mainly selected schools where
planting activities had taken place during the initial years of TFF activity (2005-2006) and where
follow-up had been limited. As such, the idea was to see how things had evolved since then.
Though nowadays focus is mainly on enrichment planting in exclosures, tree seedling distribution in
schools should continue to some extent, since this potentially has a high educational value if properly
followed-up.
The schools visited were located in Maryam Korar (planting 2010, also churchyard and individual
farmers visited), Agbe (planting 2006, 2007), Shoate Hagum (planting 2006) and Yechila (2 schools,
planting 2005-2006).
Most schools were surprisingly ‘green’, with lots of seedlings and saplings found in the school yards.
However, finally it appeared to be very difficult to trace back those seedlings which were actually
planted by Trees For Farmers, except in the school of Agbe, where we found a guard which was also
present at the time of seedling distribution. Several organizations had undertaken tree planting
activities (the school, BOARD, REST, etc) with similar species as those distributed by TFF.
Nevertheless, in some cases we could clearly conclude that most of the initially planted seedlings of
TFF simply had disappeared. Most probably reasons for poor performance are:
Seedlings in the initial years were simply dropped at the school sites but not planted by TFF staff.
This distribution took place at a moment where there are no students or teachers (summer).
We therefore have doubts about the good follow-up by the guards who were present at that time?
Were all seedlings actually planted?
Therefore, we have the following suggestions for future tree seedling planting in school yards (and
similarly for homestead planting):
Though the idea is to involve pupils in maintenance of the seedlings, the initial pit preparation
and planting should be coordinated and done by TFF people, so as to assure a valuable take-off.
Only after that, when the school starts in September, follow-up and maintenance can be handed
over to teachers and pupils.
Maybe it’s more workable if we select schools and homesteads near to our exclosure sites.
Previously, the Belgian partners also suggested to link part of the planting of trees near the
homesteads of individual families to the program at the schools, in the sense that the children at
the school, after having cared for “their” adopted tree, would be given seedlings to plant along
their home. In this way, we would valorize the educational benefit of tree planting at schools
immediately. Obviously, this needs to involve the parents, so the idea is to bring the parents
together in the school, explain the tree planting efforts and how it worked at the level of the
school, and then distribute the seedlings with directions on how to plant and how to care for
them (with a subsequent visit to check on the quality of the planting and further monitoring).
This would thus involve a different way of selecting families from the current one, and would be
more “bottom-up” compared to the current system in which the families are selected by the
developmental aid officers. This idea needs to be evaluated but may be very valuable. It need not
completely replace the old system, but some combination may be tried.
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Some other remarkable observations in the schools:
In most schools in the lowland Jatropha curcas is planted nowadays, but not by TFF. Seeds are
harvested and sold to the BOARD (for oil extraction).
Moringa trees in several schools grew very fast and have developed to mature trees nowadays.
In some schools, we found a lot of young tree seedlings (not planted by TFF) which were planted
but are now covered by grass.
Pictures: Upper left: school in Maryam Korar embedded in green. Trees also planted by other
organizations. Young seedlings covered by grass. Upper right: Moringa trees growing very tall in
Agve. Lower left: Yatropha as found in many lowland schools. Lower right: Yechila primary school.
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Planting data and survival counts
Table 1 below indicates the amount of seedlings reported to be planted since the beginning of TFF
activities. Remark that the number of planted seedlings varies yearly between approximately 10 and
20 thousand. However, the number of planted seedlings is not the best indicator of the project’s
success or quality. Therefore we need to look at the survival rates and sapling quality. For example,
the number of seedlings planted in 2011 is higher than in 2010 or 2012, but seedling and planting
quality was lower so survival inferior. Moreover, the survival of the seedlings planted (distributed) in
the schools during the first years was probably often quite low (see before), particularly in the
lowland areas. On the other hand, even if relatively less seedlings have been planted in 2012, a lot of
efforts have been made this year for pruning and hence investing in seedling and wood quality.
Table 1. Number of seedlings planted per project year, with details for the three exclosures.
Schools, churches and individual homesteads
See above: generally difficult to distinguish what is ours.
Exclosures
The information we have from the previous years generally suggests high survival rates. This was
often confirmed during our field visits and also during the workshop, where many participants
stressed the significantly higher survival rates when compared to other planting initiatives. So we
could say TFF is quite successful and making a difference.
Nevertheless, so far, survival counts each year were mostly performed only for the newly planted
seedlings and only two to four months after planting. See e.g. Table 2, where the (quite good) initial
survival data of 2011 are indicated. However, in the field we could observe how a substantial amount
of these seedlings finally did not survive the first year (and severe drought).
What really counts in the end is of course the total survival several years after planting. Therefore, as
to more accurately evaluate the project’s success rate, we are planning to perform
- A survival count of the newly planted (2012) seedlings in October;
- An overall survival count of the three exclosures by the end of this year (December/January);
- Distinguished per site, per species, and if possible also per origin (which tree nursery) and farmer.
Besides being a measure for the project’s success, this will also learn us:
- Which species are suited for which site
Planting
seasonProject year Nr planted
exclosure
Aynmbrkekin
exclosure
Selam
exclosure
Adi Zaboy
2005 2004-2005 12054 0 0 0
2006 2005-2006 9316 0 0 0
2007 2006-2007 22413 0 0 0
2008 2007-2008 20305 4494 0 0
2009 2008-2009 16568 3980 0 0
2010 2009-2010 15480 3280 3730 0
2011 2010-2011 19819 7623 6300 3900
2012 2011-2012 11265 1623 2634 6000
Total 127220 21000 12664 9900
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- Which treatment fits them and how it could be improved
- What are the reasons for mortality
- …
Table 2. Survival data of seedlings planted in 2011 (survival count 23 sept 2011).
Hagereselam (Old and New site)
S.N Species name
Old site New site
NO of planted seedlings
NO of survived seedlings Survival %
NO of planted seedlings
NO of survived seedlings Survival %
1 Olea Europaea 450 368 81.78 200 183 91.50
2 Dodonaea Angustifolia 1690 1436 84.97 1000 984 98.40
3 Cordia Africana 643 487 75.74 975 836 85.74
4 ‘Tambok’ 440 362 82.27 225 187 83.11
5 Faidherbia Albida 550 488 88.73 700 675 96.43
6 Tsfri dimu' 10 6 60.00 10 7 70.00
7 Juniperus procera 70 53 75.71 60 43 71.67
8 Acacia Abyssinica 670 621 92.69 300 281 93.67
9 Acacia Etbaica 310 289 93.23 250 212 84.80
10 Dovyalis Abyssinica 600 567 94.50 800 784 98.00
11 Ziziphus spina-christi 360 264 73.33 350 205 58.57
12 Leucaena leucocephala 550 487 88.55 505 482 95.45
13 Sesbania sesban 530 432 81.51 500 480 96.00
14 Tree lucern 750 688 91.73 425 361 84.94
Total 7623 6548 85.90 6300 5720 90.79
Adi-Zaboy
S.N Species name
Number of planted seedlings
Number of survived seedlings Survival %
1 Olea Europaea 870 502 57.70
2 Dodonaea Angustifolia 1000 782 78.20
3 Acacia Abyssinica 200 126 63.00
4 Acacia Etbaica 550 325 59.09
5 Dovyalis Abyssinica 800 533 66.63
6 Juniperus procera 480 254 52.92
7 Total 3900 2522 64.67
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Farmers demonstration day and workshop
On Sunday 16/9 we held a demonstration day and workshop in the ‘old’ site Aynmbrkekin. Around 65
people were invited and present. Besides the people directly involved in the project (coordinator
MU, facilitators, guards, farmers who planted seedlings), also participants from the Bureau of
Agriculture (BOARD), REST, woreda and tabia administration and Ma’ar honey project were present,
as well as some development agents.
The demonstration day started with a short introduction by Bert & Buruh, followed by a field visit
with more detailed information on our activities by Buruh & Araya.
After that, we met in the primary school of Adi Koilo for a discussion workshop, followed by a joint
meal. Below a short summary of the discussion is given.
Pictures: Field visit and discussion in and around the ‘old site’ Aynmbrkekin.
Project evaluation – comments on the field visit
The representatives of BOARD, REST and the Tigray Development Agency expressed their
appreciation for our management, the big changes in the site (canopy closure, soil fertility,
physical structures to reduce runoff, etc.) and the high survival rates as compared to their own
planting activities. As such, exchange of skills and experience are suggested.
They are positive about the species selected, particularly the idea of focusing on species suited
for the site conditions (many participants mention particularly Dodonaea angustifolia). Some
suggestions are the further introduction of fodder species and other species like Gravillea.
The benefit for the local communities from grass harvesting is considered very positive, and
some of the grass varieties found on our site are desired by REST for distribution to other sites.
Also the individual farmers of the different Tabias express their appreciation, and state that the
perception of the project by the local communities is generally good. Management and pruning
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activities are positively evaluated, and the exclosures in Selam and Aynmbrkekin are considered
different from other exclosures. Results are good even on poor soil, which proves that
rehabilitation is always possible: this works motivating.
A farmer from Aynmbrkekin suggests to improve still the species selection by communicating
more with the local community and BOARD. Workshops like the one held today should be
organized more frequently.
Critical questions are being raised about the survival counts, the watering and the quality of our
seedlings. They are addressed by Buruh.
Collaboration with other organisations
Repeatedly, strengthening the cooperation between TFF on the one hand and BOARD, REST, Ma’ar
project and Tabia administrations is stressed. Some suggestions:
Combining enrichment planting with beekeeping in exclosures.
Providing the Tabia administration a copy of our yearly plan for a more transparent cooperation.
Exchanging experience on survival enhancement with BOARD and REST.
Commitment of BOARD and REST to support our guards and to perform complementary land
rehabilitation works in our sites (gabion construction, infiltration trenches, etc.).
One suggestion to actually implement the intentions expressed orally today, is to establish a
permanent ‘Advisory Board’, by the example of Ma’ar project. In such Board, all interested and
relevant stakeholder groups are represented and this groups meets two or three times yearly, to
discuss project progress and future plans, bottlenecks, chances for collaboration, etc.
Suggestions raised for the future
Besides the suggestions mentioned above, these are some of the main other suggestions raised:
Increasing sustainability and benefit of the community, e.g. by combining with beekeeping
(mentioned very frequently).
Finally transferring the site to landless farmers, e.g. by dividing it in smaller parts for which each
person is responsible.
Focusing more on awareness creation.
Soil examination of the sites (both to link species suitability with site conditions and to evaluate
the project effects by comparing inside and outside).
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Ideas for the future
Potential cooperation with the Selam Watsani project
On Friday 21 September, Bert met Prof. Jan Nyssen & Dr. Amaury Frankl (Ghent University) and
discussed a potential cooperation between Trees For Farmers and their recently established project
on water sanitation and land rehabilitation in Hagere Selam and the May Zeg Zeg catchment: ‘Selam
Watsani’ (local coordinator = Seifu). These are some of the first ideas:
In Adi Kolakol, Selam Watsani plans to divert water from one or two gullies into the exclosure
(this exclosure lies alongside the gully where we are already working with TFF and upstream from
May Ba’ati forest relic). With Araya and Buruh we previously discussed the suitability of this
exclosure as a potential next site for Trees For Farmers: it’s near to the road, might have enough
water available, has already got a quite good Acacia canopy, and might serve as a corridor
between the forest relic, the gully and the next catchment where our Selam site is. Having water
diverted into this exclosure, might increase the water availability and fertility of the site. Once
sediment is caught into the site, the filtered water might be collected even into a kind of
container, to be used for individual seedling watering. Besides Selam Watsani, also Ma’ar project
is active in this site, with beehives managed by a cooperative of young landless farmers in the
exclosure. Potential planning: Selam Watsani prepares everything for water diversion the coming
dry season, water will be diverted a first time next summer, and TFF might start planting after
that (i.e. planting season 2014).
In Hagere Selam, the Eucalyptus plant on the hillside upslope the town has recently been
cleared. Selam Watsani sees it as a major priority to rehabilitate that site, since there is a lot of
encroachment now and runoff water might cause a lot of damage in the town. They foresee a
budget for that purpose, and would like to involve the people from TFF for their expertise.
Selam Watsani also started the collection of garbage, which is then also separated into organic
and non-organic materials. It might be an idea to use the organic material for compost
preparation, which is then used for the seedlings of TFF (see also further).
TFF and research
Prof. Bart Muys previously expressed the suggestion to establish a newly planted site as plot for
research activities at the campus of MU. Similarly, Buruh had the idea to install a new kind of
‘arboretum’ for educational and experimental purpose.
Main drive is to have an initiative or site which links TFF with research and education in a direct way.
Such site could serve multiple objectives with local, academic and international win-win: it could be
used as demo or practice site for students or more ambitiously for in-depth scientific research. And
on the other hand it’s suited for conservation of the area, for providing wood and ecosystem services
to the further expanding city of Mekelle, etc.
Together with the other TFF sites such new site at MU could provide enough elements for an
interesting MSc or even PhD proposal? See further.
More specifically, the idea Bart had in mind was to set up an experiment which could fit within the
objectives of the “TreeDivNet” network (see www.treedivnet.ugent.be). The TreeDivNetwork is an
international platform for research about the relation between tree species diversity and ecosystem
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functioning. The network groups several research projects in different parts of the world (Forbio in
Belgium, e.g.) and forms the largest project on ecosystem research worldwide. However, no site has
been established in Africa so far, so this creates a unique opportunity. We could set up an
experiment following the TreeDivNet protocols and hence compare monocultures with mixtures of 2,
3, 4 and up to 5 tree species. This would demand a total area of two up to eight hectares. Back in
Belgium, Bert also discussed the idea with Prof. Kris Verheyen (UGent, the initiator of this network)
who said a couple of hectares could certainly do for an interesting experiment. This idea still needs to
be worked out further.
Pictures: Upper left: view from the campus towards Mekelle city: hills with Eucalyptus plant and a
spring. Upper right: current SWC works. Lower left and right: potential sites for MU-TFF experiment.
Some other ideas:
Involvement of Ethiopian PAP students (practical attachment during bachelor) forestry. There is a
demand for places or projects. We could certainly incorporate some students; maybe 2 in Adi
Zaboy and 2 in Hagere Selam area next summer.
Link with MSc (or even PhD) theses, either Ethiopian or Belgian. One idea raised for example is to
work out an MSc thesis in which seedling performance in the different sites is linked with
management and environmental parameters such as soil conditions, water availability, etc., so as
to come up with suggestions for improvement. Maybe this may also include a comparison of soil
conditions inside and outside the exclosure, so as to evaluate the exclosure and project effects.
Another subject for a thesis could be to quantify the production of biomass in and outside the
exclosures. This would also be a way to evaluate the exclosures and the TFF project.
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Very interesting would also be to have an MSc thesis in social sciences: e.g. “Is TFF working for
the benefit of the local community?” This might include an evaluation of who is actually involved,
how these people are selected, how the facilitators are managing activities and how those
involved respond to that.
New exclosures sites to consider for the next years
There is still space enough to further expand our enrichment planting activities in the existing
exclosures, particularly in Adi Zaboy where we can continue for years. Nevertheless, in Hagere Selam
area we might consider new sites within the next few years:
Exclosure in Adi Kolakol next to the gully and upstream of Mai Ba’ati forest relic -> see also
paragraph on collaboration with Selam Watsani project.
When further expanding in the same area, the exclosure on the steep slope next to Mai Ba’ati
forest relic may also be considered.
The exclosure between Tukul village and Ala’asa village: just beside the road, easily accessible
and visible, wide area, good cover of Acacia etbaica trees.
Exotics versus indigenous species
See also site specific paragraphs. It is Buruh’s suggestion to experiment with limited amounts of
exotics such as Jacaranda and Gravillea. These species are demanded by the local communities, fast
growing and having high value.
Permanent advisory Board
See paragraph workshop.
A suggestion to actually implement the intentions of collaboration, is to establish a permanent
‘Advisory Board’, by the example of Ma’ar project. In such Board, all interested and relevant
stakeholder groups are represented and this groups meets two or three times yearly, to discuss
project progress and future plans, bottlenecks, chances for collaboration, etc.
Production & use of compost
Using compost might increase the buffer capacity of the young seedlings (nutrients + moisture).
Buruh explains that this is already tried (with pure manure) in Adi Zaboy, with good results in terms
of water retention but a lot of weeds later. However, a proper compost preparation could avoid this
problem.
There is a potential link with the water sanitation project Selam Watsani: see above. We also see a
link with the work of Bert (farm compost) and of Sarah’s mother.
Controlled use of (fire)wood from exclosures
Even if we keep out cattle and people from our site, the consumption of natural resources will
probably often just shift to other places. Therefore pressure on the environment might be reduced
e.g. by incorporating a certain amount of short term coppice species (Acacia etbaica, Sesbania
sesban,…) and actually managing them like that. This idea is already considered when selecting
species right now, although it is still too early to implement controlled harvesting.
Pressure might also be reduced by more efficient use of natural resources: see next suggestion.
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Contribute towards more efficient or reduced use of fire wood
We might stimulate the introduction of e.g. energy efficient stoves and solar panels in the local
communities. A suitable system still has to be worked out, but these are some suggestions:
Individual households might choose to invest in a solar panel + electric injerra stove or mogogo
or biogas stove. To enable that, we could cooperate with the woreda, the cooperative office, the
microcredit office, “mai ma’adi”, etc. These offices stimulate such sustainable investments.
As such, people might get a credit to afford buying these, and part of the cost may be supported
by our project.
Towards an optimized/sustainable/community supported guarding system
It is strongly stressed by everybody involved that it is still far too early to hand over any of the
exclosure sites to the community: most trees are still in seedling or early sapling stage, and if we stop
guarding right now, probably all efforts will be in vain. That’s what many other parties are doing, but
we need to show how the next steps are to be taken, how forest management really can be
implemented. Nevertheless, already right now we have to start thinking, together with all other
stakeholders, about a sustainable ‘phase out’ system in the future. That issue was also raised on the
workshop.
Any system which would be ‘independent’ of financial support by TFF, should probably be
economically profitable in some way. That could be by controlled harvesting of grass or wood, or e.g.
by combining tree management with bee keeping in the same exclosures (see suggestions
workshop). Such system should in all cases be flexible: an adapted system for every site. It would also
be good to further consider increased involvement of the ‘powerless’ in the guarding system.
Bert was thinking about a kind of ‘involvement’ system by the format of a cooperative: everyone
contributing at least a certain amount of work (planting, pruning, watering, guarding, cultivation)
would have access to certain ‘benefits’. This might include joint purchase of solar panels, electric
injerra stoves or biogas stoves. See suggestions above related to that. This still has to be worked out
further.
Questions? Suggestions? Contact? Financial support?
Do you have any questions, remarks or suggestions? Do you want to be involved in our project? Are
you involved in a similar project? Please contact Bert Reubens on [email protected].
Would you like to support Trees For Farmers financially? This is possible on the account of
Ere Mela Mela 068-2445234-85 with statement ‘Trees For Farmers’. Thanks a lot.