Abstract:
This report focuses on the experience/results of the Multipurpose Tree Species
Screening and Alley Cropping trials in the Hararge highlands, Eastern Ethiopia under
the ID R C - research grant. The two geographic sites for the research and research farm
developments reported on are Hirna and Alemava (Finkile).
The same IDRC - research grant was also used:
a) to develop and initiate the Diban Diba (M odjo) agroforestry research, with a
focus on alley cropping, on-farm boundary tree planting and homestead tree
planting,
b) initiate and operate an agroforestiy (alley cropping) trial at Wachu (Hararge
highlands), and
c) fuelwood surveys (Derer Alemaya, Hirna and Gelemso)
These activities are fairly new and reportable data is not available yet. But the
fuelwood survey results for Eastern Highlands have been reported (see Aregawi Belav -
1986).
The ID RC - research grant to FRC has been the cornerstone for the agroforestry
programme at FRC and has caused a programme shift from the traditionally silvicultural
emphasis to social forestry (agroforestry).
The compilers of this report and FRC are grateful To Mr. Berhanu Hika, Mr.
Dechassa Jiru and Mr. Aregawi Belay who were responsible in the initiation and
management of this project, supported by IDRC.
The agroforestry field programs at Hirna and Alemaya in the Eastern Highlands and
at the M odjo (Diban Diba) in Central Highlands initiated under the IDRC-support are
now being integrated into the new national agroforestry research and development
initiatives in which ICRAF is technically involved to bring Ethiopia's agroforestry
research into the regional network, namely AFRENA, E. African highlands. The
FA O /E T H /88/O lO Project o f U N D P /F A O is also attempting to fill the gap left by the
ID RC support. It is however hoped that IDRC could renew its support following a
review o f the impact of the first grant. This report should find its usefulness to initiate
a new phase in IDRC's support to FRC in this new priority area o f agroforestry research
and development.
FRC is indeed grateful to ID RC for its support to initiate agroforestry research in
the Ministry of Agriculture through FRC.
