The Ethiopian government has revealed its ambitious plan to plant 6.5 billion seedlings during the upcoming rainy season to combat desertification and address climate change, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture.
The planting of these seedlings will mainly take place from June to September as part of the Green Legacy campaign, with the seedlings currently being cultivated across 132,144 nursery sites in the country.
Fanose Mekonnen, head of natural resources at the ministry, mentioned that preliminary works are already underway throughout Ethiopia to prepare for this massive tree-planting initiative.
The ministry stated that 60 percent of the seedlings will be multi-purpose fruit tree seedlings, emphasizing the dual importance of enhancing food security and commercial opportunities for the nation.
Various efforts, such as area mapping, watershed development, and soil conservation works, are being implemented nationwide to ensure the success of this year’s tree-planting campaign.
The ministry also urged agricultural experts, farmers, and the public to collaborate and support the government’s goal of planting 6.5 billion seedlings.
Ethiopia’s objective is to build a green, lower-middle-income economy, with the Green Legacy campaign gaining momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Since its launch six years ago, this initiative aims to restore Ethiopia’s forests and combat desertification, addressing the adverse effects of climate change driven by deforestation.
Ethiopia’s vulnerability to climate change is linked to its heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources, coupled with limited adaptive capacity, according to the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EEPA).
EEPA’s director-general, Getahun Garedew, highlighted the urgent need for the country to enhance climate resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change, which are evident in the form of heavy rains, flooding, and soil erosion that threaten both urban and rural infrastructure.
