The paradox of forest conservation and food security in Ethiopia

Though human history forests have played an essential role to the well being of human society. They play an important role in ensuring that hundreds of millions of people in the developing world go to bed without eating something or with empty stomach. Forestry has a large and an indispensable role to play in improving conditions that affect the present and future food security mainly in developing countries. Food security is defined as the physical and economic access to food for all people at all times. It also when poor and vulnerable households have physical and economic access to food, and when they have sustainable source of food. Food security is greatly influenced by physical, economic, natural resources, socio-cultural, gender and ethnic factors; and could be chronic or transitory. In Ethiopia, the contribution of forests and forest products to household food security and to the national economy is indispensable. However, deforestation has already affected the lives of many living in the forest regions in the country and has resulted in environmental problems such as forest biomass reduction, decline in the productivity of the land, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity which subsequently led to frequent socio-economic problems. Many of the socioeconomic problems in Ethiopia are associated with deforestation. However, interrelation is still poorly recognized. It is difficult to seek fast and comprehensive rural development options in Ethiopia in such a frustrating situation of environmental crises leading to deforestation. The extent and the level of land degradation owing to severe deforestation is increasing sporadically, and challenging the livelihoods of rural communities. Loss and/or alteration of forest habitat through grazing, agriculture, logging and fire could not only lead to the decline in local biodiversity but also affects food security of local communities as many people are directly or indirectly dependent on forest and forest related activities. Forest resources are generally undervalued in Ethiopia, despite the fact that millions of people rely on the forest and forest products for their livelihood. For instance, from 1989 to 1993, wood products (timber, poles, construction poles, fuelwood and charcoal) produced and used in the country amounted to ca. 291, 217, 780 million Eth. Birr. Similarly, in 1989/90 natural gum products produced and sold for domestic and export markets amounted to 17, 417, 138 million Eth. Birr, of which 60% of products were exported. This is an addition to medicine extract from the forest. Forest resources contribute a significant wealth of products that can be used for food, medicine, construction materials, energy source, etc. Ethiopia's forest resources have a direct impact on food security. This means that people are still very dependent on the natural environment for their survival. The country depends on a rain-fed agriculture to produce most of its food. If the rain fails to come at any one season, the country has to look for food aid or relief assistance. In many parts of the country, forest and forest related products make essential contribution to the household food security, especially during serious drought periods. A linkage which is often not made is the connection between deforestation, lack of fuel wood, food security and health. As deforestation reduces the available food security, there are a number of possible consequences. This may threaten economic life of a community, which can intensify poverty-the major cause of food insecurity. For people to have adequate food, it is necessary that a balance between agriculture and natural resources management should be maintained. This calls for policies that can adequately ensure the sustainable management of natural resources. These measures should include forest management and rehabilitation of degraded environments.