Ecological agriculture practices have been successfully implemented in Tigray, Ethiopia to address challenges of overgrazing, soil degradation, and poverty. The Tigray Project promoted (1) local bylaws to empower community control of resources, (2) biological and physical soil/water conservation, and (3) composting with low external inputs to improve soil fertility. Results include increased incomes, crop yields equal or exceeding chemical fertilizers, reforestation, and spring water returns. The project reconnects youth to sustainable traditions and empowers innovator farmers to spread solutions. It provides a model for climate-resilient smallholder agriculture adaptation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

1. ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE in Ethiopia Sue Edwards, DerejeGebre Michael, Hailu Araya and ArefayneAsmelash Institute for Sustainable Development, Ethiopiahailuara@yahoo.com

3. A rugged and mountainous country

4. High population about 80 million.

5. It is the water tower’ of eastern Africa - providing over 85% of the waters of the Nile and some to Kenya (Omo) and Somalia (Juba)

8. Biological and physical Soil & Water conservation including planting multipurpose trees e.g., Sesbaniasesban

9. Women support based on environmental sustainability

10. Promoting Innovator farmers bringing local solutions

11. Connecting the new generation to the Sustainable Dev. Program and their elders

12. Promoting controlled grazing especially access to vulnerable land

15. It builds on and enhances the traditional knowledge, practices and innovations of the farming communities

16. It uses low external inputs, which are readily available and affordable by the farmers

19. Farmers’ practice - Results from over 900 samples from farmers fields over 7 years

20. The net income of the three crops (ETB/ha)

21. Plant protection The introduction of HYV was supported with pesticides Pesticides – retard plant growth e.g. 2.4.D delayed teff 10-15 days compared with no application Kills and then reduce the size of bee colony Reduce the production of honey Then transforming from pesticides into traditional plant protection – - reducing use of pesticides. - Communities are banning use of pesticides

22. Natural resource conservation Physical and biological soil and water conservation improved watersheds Gullies reclaimed Catchments are occupied by beekeeping Landless and unemployed youth are organized in bee keeping development Plant cover is improved Beekeeping development generate higher incomes, Springs re-appeared – micro-irrigation started

28. AdiNefas- All components being used Pond Rehabilitated gully Sesbaniatrees and long grasses Composted fields of tef, wheat and barley

29. Agricultural diversification Number of crops grown per family or farm increased Agriculture created complementarities Increase intensive way of production like inter-cropping, double-cropping, Production and income per unit area increased

30. Reconnecting the new generation into local practices Students are increasing their awareness through their environmental clubs Students implement environmental conservation at school compounds and family lands They respect and participate in their family activities

33. Promoting innovator farmers Innovator farmers start a technology from local problems and local resources Local innovations are cheap and easy to understand Open for other members

36. Bee forage

39. Water-lifting innovations

41. Easy to be copied

42. Energy and labour saving

44. Water use efficiency

48. Harmonizing the extension approach Connecting the gap between farmers and extension workers Improve dialogue Experience sharing events Train farmers as Training of Trainers (TOT) to train other farmers - Develop trust between farmers and extension workers

54. In Ethiopiafinger millet – average 4 – 6 t/ha compared to about 2 t/ha normal practice. In 2003, an old woman got 7.8 t/ha.

55. Tried in 2009 with tef at a research station, and wheat, finger millet, sorghum, maize and lentil with farmers

58. Avoidance of debt and delays in getting chemical fertilizer

59. Aquifers recharged – springs reappeared

60. Family income increased very much

61. Double cropping, i.e. 2 crops per year with access to harvested water

62. Farmers diversify production and introduce perennial crops

63. Families better fed and clothed and children able to attend school

65. Agroforestry as local practice

66. A farmer of the future