Donor: European Union (EU) Partners: Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS),, Ethiopia Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA), Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC), Population Health Environment Ethiopia Consortium (PHE EC) and International Coffee Partners (ICP) Geographic Area: In Illubabor and Buno Bedele Zones of Yayu, Hurumu, Doreni, Bilo Nopha, Alge Sachi, and Chora Woredas Duration: 09/2021 - 08/2025 Mapping potential forest coffee area and assessing the level of degradation Land degradation assessment using GPS Nine kebeles have been designated for the assessment of land degradation. During the planned year, data collection and mapping of degraded land were completed. To finalize and verify the work, GPS coordinates were gathered from the ground. The finalized map was produced using the data collected from the field. A total of 28 experts, 27 men, and 1 woman, participated in the data collection. The data was collected in the months of July and August.<img src="https://api.ecff.org.et/images/c45c67ca-9bb0-45a0-8182-26b84736d001.jpg"> Developing scaling-up methodologies for a replicable landscape management model Advisory services, on-the-job training, studies, and specific capacity building and training measures were conducted to facilitate the replication of the landscape management model. This learning event was conducted from 19/09/2023 to 20/09/2023 in Matu town, which included theoretical learning and field-level practical learning. During this learning event, PHE – Metu site office experts and resource persons from Ilubabor Zone Land Administration office provided theoretical presentations, and technical staff from ECFF assisted the learners during field practices. The participants from the government and IPs of the project were 26 (24 males and 2 females). They were from:Land use experts from the six woredas' offices of agriculture, Forest experts from OFWE I/A/B branch, Yayo district, and Geba Didesa districts, ECFF Metu Site office staff, Harnnes Metu site office, Jima Research Center Metu sub-center and PHE Metu Site office, Additionally, community representatives also participated to share their experiences, explanations, and views on participatory land use planning in the community. During the theoretical session, Mr. Mohamed from Ilubabor Zone Land Administration presented the theory of land use planning and the global intention of land use planning. Experts discussed and provided comments on carefully implementing land use planning. They also emphasized the need for political attention to land use planning. The points raised by the community are as follows:<ul><li>Prior to the creation of the development map, land use, land capability, and community consultations were completed.</li><li>The community by-law has been prepared to guide the planned land use options in the Kebele.</li><li>Due to unsuitable past land uses, land suitability was neglected.</li><li>Farmers find it increasingly difficult to change their land use and rely solely on it as a source of income. For example, crop land that needs to be converted to eucalyptus plantations. Farmers are concerned about the impact this could have on their source of income.</li><li>Since the preservation of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve is the primary goal of participatory land use planning, more infrastructure development will need to be implemented with political attention.</li><li>One of the major issues with land use planning is overgrazing and free grazing. It is important to reduce the number of livestock in the Kebele through artificial insemination (AI) to improve breeds.</li><li>The land use by-laws should be analyzed by the justice office in comparison to other laws of the country.</li><li>Sectoral integration is crucial in implementing the proposed land use plan.</li></ul> The observed changes after the development of community land use by-laws are:<ul><li class="ql-indent-1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The rate of tree and khat / ‘kchata edulis’ / planting on crop land has decreased.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Destructive construction of soil and water features has decreased in the Kebele.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The use of herbicides and pesticides has decreased.</li></ul> Execute multidisciplinary participatory action research The action research is conducted with the title of “Participatory land use planning and its legalities for Yayo coffee forest biosphere reserve, the case of Ilubabor and Buno Bedelle zones”. Each Woreda has one Kebele and four woredas where the research is being done. The woredas are Chora (Hawa Yember kebele), Yayo (Gechi kebele), Hurumu (Gaba Kebele), and Bilo Nopha (Ulmaya Kebele). Participatory land use planning has by-laws to regulate all activities within the demarcated areas for land use planning implementation. Therefore, the compatibility of these by-laws with the Legal framework is to asses and correct by using action research. This action research is conducted with project partners, government sectors, and Matu University researchers. Project partners participated are PHE- Metu site office, Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung Ethiopia- Metu site office, woreda level office of agriculture, woreda level office of land administration, etc. Partners and stakeholders who are interested can use the completed research report. Develop guidelines on development packages related to a management model It was necessary to evaluate the development packages before creating the guidelines. As a result, a grassroots evaluation of suitable development packages was conducted through conversations with various woreda stakeholders, implementation partners at the zonal level, and expert opinions at the regional level. Based on the discussion, we determined that guidelines for implementing participatory land use planning in various topographies and land use systems are necessary, as is assistance in making it simple for farmers and extension workers to adopt. Provide continuous technical support, lobby, and advocacy work for landscape management On May 17, 2023, a workshop was conducted at the Metu Town, Ilu Star Hotel, to improve and put together the participants’ skills and knowledge to aid them in providing technical support, lobbying, and advocacy for integrated and sustainable landscape management. The training was interactive and participatory, utilizing a variety of techniques such as brief introductions, open discussions, and a range of communication channels (questions, remarks, and discussions). An additional mechanism was the trainees’ group discussions, which they summarized and later presented to the audience. The team spirit among the participants was developed as they gained an understanding of the concept and knowledge of landscape management, enabling them to support technically, work, lobby, and advocate for landscape management on the ground. Government agencies (natural resource experts from the Agriculture Office, experts from the Land Administration Office, experts from the Environmental Protection Office, and experts from the Administration Office) participated in the training. As a result, a total of 35 experts (33 men and 2 women) from six woredas, six experts from two zones, and three experts from the ECFF Metu office participated in the training. Mainstream biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation practices On June 13, 2023, this workshop was held at the Metu Town Ilustar International Hotel. A total of 24 (all male) participants from various disciplines attended the workshop: Woreda Facilitators, Harnnes Metu site office, Jima research center Metu sub-center, and Iluababor Zone office of agriculture; forest experts from OFWE I/A/B branch, Yayo district, and Geba Didesa district; and natural resource experts from the six woredas office of agriculture. The workshop’s main objective is to help the woreda sectors in integrating practices for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation into their operations. Experts from the Hanns R. Neuman Metu site office and the ECFF Metu site office prepared brief presentations on agro forestry, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation, respectively.

The EU Yayu DESIRA Project aims to enhance the sustainability of coffee production and protect forest ecosystems in the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve.

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EU-Yayu DeSIRA: Supporting sustainable coffee production and conservation of forest ecosystems through climate –relevant and integrated landscape management of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve