Forestry research in Ethiopia: past, present and future

The history of forestry research has been intimately associated with studies on the flora of Ethiopia, which began much earlier than on its vegetation, and forests were the first to be studied among the types of vegetation. Forestry research can be broadly categorized in four major historical epochs. The first epoch, the period before 1895, is characterized by exploration expeditions, mainly, on the flora of forest resources in the country. It is the epoch in which, among others, the earliest documented records on the forest flora of Ethiopia were made, and usefulness of forest resources began to be realized by the rulers associated with loss of forest resources due to unsustainable utilization. The second epoch, 1895-1975, could be characterized by further botanical explorations of forest resources, decline in size and quality of these resources, introduction of exotic trees, initiation of formal forestry research trials and establishment of formal institutions responsible for forestry research and development. The third epoch, 1975-1997, is the epoch in which organized forestry research began with the establishment of two centers, i.e. Forestry Research Center (FRC) and Wood Utilization and Research Center (WUARC), exclusively mandated to undertake forestry research in addition to those institutions, which were already involved in forestry research. The last epoch, 1997 up to present, is the period in which the mandate to undertake and nationally coordinate forestry research, with FRC and WUARC, was transferred to the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) by proclamation. Currently, forestry research is organized as one of the five Sectors/Directorates in EARO, and enjoys an equal status with crops, animal science, soil and water, and dryland agricultural research. This is also the period in which a Forestry Research Strategic Plan (FRSP) of twenty years is developed with the active participation of stakeholders for the first time in the history of forestry research in the country.