Ethiopia’s Soil and Water Conservation Drive Boosts Yields, Restores Land Fertility: Ministry

Addis  Ababa, November 14, 2025 (ENA)—The Ministry of Agriculture reports that nationwide soil and water conservation efforts carried out with strong public participation are improving soil fertility and raising production.

Climate change, floods, erratic rainfall, drought and soil erosion continue to threaten ecosystems and human wellbeing, it stressed, adding that tree planting and coordinated conservation work are helping restore degraded landscapes and reduce risks.

 The ongoing Green Legacy Initiative and the annual summer watershed development campaigns reflect the country’s commitment to environmental protection.

 Fanose Mekonnen, Lead Executive Officer for Natural Resources Development, Conservation and Utilization at the Ministry, told ENA that climate shocks and land degradation are “nature’s response to the damage caused by human activities.”

 He said the conservation campaigns undertaken in recent years “have enabled an increase in production and productivity by improving soil fertility.”

 Ethiopia has 12 major river basins and 135 sub-basins, and that an additional 8,903 basins are now being identified and developed, he explained, adding that annual activities are taking place across 197,843 small watersheds managed at community level.

 According to the Ministry, redevelopment work is under way on 33.6 million hectares of land with active engagement from both government and communities.

 Preparations for the upcoming summer watershed season, including identifying target areas, surveying farmers and readying agricultural tools, are already in progress, Fanose noted.