"Nurturing Nature: ORDA Ethiopia's Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Program Achievements in 2024"

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia – ORDA Ethiopia's Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Program (EFCCP) achieved its target by establishing and managing 107 nurseries, including 25 new ones. In 2024, the program produced 7.49 million tree seedlings (88.33% of the target), with 3.37 million being indigenous species. The ETH 1192 project purchased 20,000 lowland bamboo seedlings, while the FLRP project acquired 342,200 seedlings from government nurseries.

The program planted 7.69 million seedlings (94.6% of the target) over 2,427.22 hectares, including 3.134 million indigenous species. To improve seedling survival rates, measures applied such as timely input provision, healthy seedling production, planting potted seedlings, constructing soil and water conservation structures, and reducing grazing pressure were implemented. The second-round seedling survival rate reached 72.57%.

The program managed 21,901 hectares of ex-closure areas (92.17% of the target) and prepared management plans for 3,039 hectares. It also strengthened 11 existing Participatory Forest Management (PFM) cooperatives and established 4 new ones, managing 57,993 hectares of forests. Despite security challenges, seven PFM cooperatives produced 516 quintals of incense.

Additional achievements include establishing 7 fuel-saving stove production groups benefiting 67 females', distributing 1,449 fuel-saving stoves and 773 solar lanterns, installing 18 household biogas plants, and establishing and strengthening 14 model watersheds covering 7,143 hectares. Seven PFM cooperatives having 128 members were produced 516 Quintal of incense and sold 28,000 birr per quintal, totally they gain 14,448,000 birr this help to improve the livelihood of PFM members.

The program also rehabilitated 64 hectares of gully land. Overall, the EFCCP made significant progress in seedling survival, area rehabilitation, PFM cooperative income, and conservation efforts in 2024.