| Abstract: | Dry land resources have national and global significance. Ethiopia, in particular, is a dry
land country whose resources are yet to be managed properly if they are to contribute
meaningfully to the country's socio-economic development and environmental
resilience. Using major findings of several on-going and completed studies and field
level observations , the paper presents brief descriptions of the major natural resources
in the dry lands of Ethiopia in terms of agricultural land, wildlife and ecotourism, water
(irrigation potential), range for livestock and wildlife, commercial crop and livestock
farming, biofuels plantations, and dry forests. It identified the major challenges to
developing these resources as misconceptions surrounding the dry lands, policy related
constraints, demographic pressure, climatic variability and change, chronic food
insecurity, land degradation, and weakening of traditional institutions. In conclusion, the
paper outlines measures that would help in sustainably managing these resources. It
specifically suggests the need for developing physical land use plans to designate
agricultural lands and conservation areas and building the capacity of local authorities to
monitor land use and enforce relevant regulations while encouraging and supporting
communities to invest in natural resources management work. |
