Witness the remarkable journey from invasive takeover to thriving productivity in Kangaten town, Nyangatom Woreda, South Omo Zone, where the resilient people of Nyangatom have reclaimed their land from Prosopis and cultivated a vibrant future.
The area has been invaded by the harmful Prosopis juliflora at a rapid pace and spread, hindering the community's ability to produce agricultural products and significantly reducing the area's productivity. The harmful and invasive Prosopis juliflora has invaded native plants, disrupted natural processes, and disturbed biodiversity interactions. This has restricted plant movement, led to water scarcity underground, and depleted grazing land.
Moreover, the area's natural forests were being heavily deforested for illegal charcoal production, placing them at severe risk of depletion. Similarly, the area, invaded by harmful and invasive plants, reduced grazing and water for livestock, causing the community to turn to the Omo Park, inevitably impacting the park as well.
The harmful and invasive plant in the area (Prosopis juliflora)
To address these interconnected problems, Action for Development, in collaboration with the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoAREC&N), implemented an environmental protection project. The project tackled the root causes of biodiversity threats, enabling the recovery of natural forests through sustained protection efforts. Furthermore, land previously covered by invasive and harmful plants, rendered unproductive, was cleared, enabling the community to grow sorghum and beans for food consumption and income generation. Pastoralists also gained access to grazing land for their livestock.
The sorghum yield obtained from the land where Prosopis was removed, after agriculture
was practiced on the land that had been invaded by it
Action for Development cleaned the area of invasive and harmful plants by organizing young people, previously involved in illegal charcoal production through deforestation, into three groups. They provided training, essential equipment, charcoal storage facilities, and start-up capital. Melkamu Matewos is the chairman of the "Melkam Charcoal Production Enterprise." The group, consisting of 10 members, cleared Prosopis juliflora from 12 hectares of land and produced 600 quintals of charcoal using the removed plant material. By selling this charcoal, the group members were able to support themselves and their families, and even save money.
The natural forests around Kangaten town, previously deforested for various purposes, are now protected and recovering well.
Finally, Melkamu concluded our conversation with the following: "This success is a game-changer, enabling us to rescue grazing and agricultural land from invasive plant invasion, support ourselves with food and income, reduce the pressure and danger on Omo National Park and the surrounding forests, and transition from deforestation to productivity. Overall, the community's awareness of biodiversity and environmental protection has increased. They are also active participants and supporters of the project's positive changes, being the first witnesses. We plan to expand our income base by engaging in agriculture. We also aim to create market linkages, strengthen our group financially and in spirit, and eradicate harmful plants even further."
Melkamu Matewos - Chairman of the Enterprise
Action for Development's environmental protection project, implemented since 2020, has successfully rescued the ecosystem from the threat of depletion and facilitated a transition to productivity for the community. AFD is achieving its goal of enabling citizens to break free from dependency and establish a strong and resilient livelihood foundation. The positive changes within the community are a living testament to this.
