Menschen für Menschen makes up ground
Africa’s soils are threatened. Every year huge expanses of arable land are turned into desert in the Sahel zone alone. Today only 3% of the surface area of Ethiopia is forested. There are many reasons for this: overgrazing, deforestation for urgently needed firewood, population growth and climatic change. All this results in degradation of the soil and vast stretches of fertile land are washed or blown away.
Agroecology with a concept
Together with the Ethiopian farmers Menschen für Menschen strives in all project areas to improve traditional farming methods. Constructing terraced fields and soil stabilisation by means of deep-rooted vetiver grass is a first, but effective long-term measure to prevent erosion. Each year up to seven million new saplings are grown in tree nurseries for new tree plantations. In order to not only preserve the country’s remaining trees, but to expand the forest areas, besides reafforestation programmes Ethiopia Aid has also initiated the distribution of "green stoves" (wood-saving) and organises training for ecological farming. Menschen für Menschen is banking on farmers passing on their knowledge and finding many imitators all over the country.
Award for agricultural programmes
For his successful development aid Karlheinz Böhm was awarded an honorary doctorate in agroecology by the Ethiopian University of Alemaya. Wherever he implements agricultural reforms, ecological sustainability and increased yields mean a secure livelihood for the farmers and their families.
