ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM THE ROLE OF FOOD AID IN SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF TACH GAYINT WEREDA, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, AMHARA REGION With Particular Reference to FHI/E Past Experience GIRMA DERESSA June 2006 Addis Ababa THE ROLE OF FOOD AID IN SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF TACH GAYINT WEREDA, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, AMHARA REGION A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BY GIRMA DERESSA YADETE JUNE 2006 ADDIS ABABA ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES THE ROLE OF FOOD AID IN SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF TACH GAYINT WEREDA, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, AMHARA REGION A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science By GIRMA DERESSA YADETE Advisors Signature 1. Dr. Fisseha Itana _______________________ 2. Dr. Belay Simane _______________________ Examiners 1. 2. Department Head Acknowledgements I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to my research advisors, Drs. Belay Simane and Fisseha Itana for their unreserved help, guidance and supervision during my research work. I am very much respectful and appreciate Dr. Fisseha’s commitment for technically refining my research methodology, traveling and visiting to the research site, which is about 750km away from Addis Ababa. Similarly, I also appreciate and acknowledge the invaluable advice offered to me by Dr. Belay during the fortnight research progress review meeting with him, which makes this thesis a reality. My thanks also goes to Addis Ababa University, Amhara Region Disaster Prevention and Food Security Bureau, Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau, Planning and Economic Development Bureau and Water, Mines and Energy Bureau who responded to my request for ideas, information, publications and materials for use in the realization of this research. I am also indebted to all Tach Gayint Wereda Office of Agriculture and Rural Development Staff, Wereda Administration and other sector offices for their inputs and transparent cooperation during my actual field work. My profound gratitude goes to the study area Administrators and the community for sharing their invaluable knowledge and information. In particular, my special thanks go to AAU, for offering me the necessary logistical and financial support during my research work. I am also indebted to all Food for the Hungry International/Ethiopia field as well as head office staff for their moral, material and logistical support. I am especially grateful to Dr. Andrew Barnes, Country Director of FHI/E and Ato Messele Fitsum, FHI Regional Relief Director, who greatly supported and encouraged me to pursue my study though arrangement of a part time work during my study. The regular encouragement and moral support I have got from my immediate work supervisors, W/t Etsegenet Hailu and Ato Gashaw Belay is highly acknowledged. Above all, my greatest debt of gratitude is owed to my Almighty God for his daily guidance and care through out my life. Without his abundant mercies and meticulous help, I would have not reached this stage. i Table of Contents Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................ i Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... ii List of Tables................................................................................................................................. iv List of Figures................................................................................................................................ v List of Pictures/Maps ................................................................................................................... vi List of Appendices ....................................................................................................................... vi List of Acronyms and Local Names........................................................................................... vii Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE:-INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Land Degradation and Food Aid in Ethiopia.................................................................. 1 1.1.2. Food for the Hungry International/Ethiopia (FHI/E) ...................................................... 2 1.2. Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................................. 3 1.3. Research Objectives....................................................................................................................... 4 1.4. Organization of the Paper .............................................................................................................. 5 CHAPTER TWO:-LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 6 2.1. Land Degradation and Trends in Food Production in Ethiopia................................................. 6 2.2. Food Aid Trend and Integration to Long-Term Development in Ethiopia ............................... 8 2.3. Debates on Food Aid...................................................................................................................... 9 2.4. Food Aid Disbursement Mechanisms and Effectiveness ........................................................ 12 2.5. Contribution of Labor-Intensive Works to Long-Term Objectives .......................................... 14 2.6. Factors for Sustainable Land Management .............................................................................. 16 2.6. 1. Biophysical Issues for Sustainable Land management............................................. 16 2.6.2. Land Tenure System................................................................................................... 20 2.6.3. Empowerment and Respect for Local Knowledge...................................................... 21 2.6.4 Poverty......................................................................................................................... 21 2.6.5 Pressure on Land......................................................................................................... 22 ii CHAPTER THREE:-MATERIALS AND METHODS..................................................................... 25 3.1. Description of the Study Area...................................................................................................... 25 3.1.1. Location ...................................................................................................................... 25 3.1.2. Topography and Climate ............................................................................................ 27 3.1.3. Population and Socio-Economic Futures ................................................................... 28 3.1.4. Vegetation, Crop and Land Use ................................................................................. 28 3.2. Methods and Processes of Data Collection .............................................................................. 29 3.2.1. Review of Relevant Literatures................................................................................... 29 3.2.2. Qualitative and Quantitative Method of Data collection.............................................. 29 3.2. 3. Observations/Measurements..................................................................................... 31 3.3. Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................. 32 CHAPTER FOUR:-RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS.................................................................... 34 4.1. Results and Discussions .............................................................................................................. 34 4.1.1 Household Characteristics........................................................................................... 34 4.1.2. Sustainable Land Management Practices .................................................................. 35 4.1.2.1. Ecological Benefits........................................................................................................ 35 4.1.2.2. Economic and Social Benefits..................................................................................... 53 4.1.3. Food Aid Trend and Integration to the Long-Term Development............................... 56 4.1.3.1 Integration of Food Aid with Long-Term Development............................................. 56 4.1.3.2 Food Disbursement Mechanisms and their Effectiveness....................................... 58 4.1.3.3. Evolution and Trend of Food Aid in the Study Area................................................. 63 4.1.3.4. Contribution of FHI/E Past Interventions to Wereda Food Security. ..................... 65 4.1.4. Factors Affecting Sustainable Land