Hawassa University in collaboration with DAAD and Hohenheim University has organized two international conferences in a parallel session between March 25-29, 2024 at the Geremew Haile Hall, College of Agriculture.
The first event is the German-Ethiopian SDG graduate School CLIFOOD project block seminar 5 on the theme "Land Degradation and Rehabilitation". In a parallel session, the DAAD-AgriAlumniNet Workshop in Ethiopia focusing on Nature-Based Solutions and Agro-ecological Concepts for Sustainable Transformation of Agri-Food Systems. The two scientific events have involved researchers from across 16 countries.
Dr. Tafesse Matewos, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at HU, said in his welcoming speech that CLIFOOD project is among the 84 active collaborative projects of the university being implemented with esteemed partners from Germany with remarkable contributions to the human and material capacity building in the research areas of climate change and food security. Dr. Tafesse added that the project activities are very well aligned with HU's research priorities and the national and international issues of agriculture, food security and climate change. He extended his deepest gratitude to Hohenheim University, CLIFOOD Project management, DAAD and HU staff who have been quite instrumental to realize the success so far.
His Excellency Prof. Dr. Eyasu Elias, State Minister of Natural Resources Management at MoA, gave a key note speech entitled "Land Degradation and Rehabilitation Practices in the Ethiopian Highlands: Unraveling the Doomsday Scenario". In his presentation, Prof. Eyasu sited various studies on the extent, severity, causes and costs of land degradation in the Ethiopian highlands and reports on deforestation, soil erosion, economic cost and policy influence, environmental policies and strategies, community based natural resource management efforts, flagship programs and MoA's efforts and measures on conservations and restorations. He mentioned that due to the efforts that have been made, Ethiopian highlands have been successfully restored and deforestation, bare land and soil erosion have been reduced. Prof. Eyasu has typically shown with research evidence over the past two decades which has refuted the Domesday narrative reported earlier. The State Minister underlined that Ethiopia's achievement is a testament to the effectiveness of multi stakeholder partnerships, community involvement and political will in addressing environmental challenges.
The opening session was streamlined where representatives of international partners including the World Bank and GIZ have participated virtually. Various research papers have been presented by researchers from Hawassa University and other scholars followed by discussions. The events also include experience sharing, field visits and excursions as a way of alumni networking and further collaboration for the future.
