Land Degradation in Amhara Region of Ethiopia: Review on Extent, Impacts and Rehabilitation Practices

Abstract

Land degradation is a serious issue in Amhara region which leads to depletion of land resources and which in turn induces reduction in agricultural production, loss of biodiversity, water quality depletion, poverty, food insecurity, and social instability. Expansion of agriculture to marginal lands, unmanaged grazing, land insecurity, deforestation, and poverty were mentioned in many reviewed research outputs as the major causes of land degradation on the region. The region has been involved in extensive land rehabilitation activities for centuries and vast structural and biological conservation measures were implemented. The rehabilitation actions were commenced by individual farmers at farm level and community mobilization at large. Many projects and organizations, like AMAREW, ORDA, GIZ, WASE-TANA project and others were also involved in the program. The review shows that despite various interventions have been undertaken, land degradation in Amhara region is continuing with increasing rate. This was mainly due to over exploitation and mismanagement of the land resources. Land management can be successfully realized with greater participation and involvement of the local communities.

Keywords: Population Pressure, Free Grazing, Poverty, Land Degradation, Rehabilitation