Empowering Community Rangeland Health Workers: A Novel Path to Sustainable Ecosystem Management in Ethiopia | Vien Khoa Hoc Ky Thuat Nong Nghiep Mien Nam

Empowering Community Rangeland Health Workers: A Novel Path to Sustainable Ecosystem Management in Ethiopia

Saturday, 2024/12/28 | 07:35:03

CGIAR 24 December 2024

From 30 September to 5 October 2024, twelve Community Rangeland Health Workers (CRHWs) from Ethiopia’s Somali region (Moyale and Filtu districts) and Borana Zone (Moyale and Miyo districts) participated in a training program to equip them with the knowledge to promote rangeland health, prevent invasive species, and manage natural resources sustainably. The training covered rangeland health monitoring, invasive species identification and management, nursery establishment and the operational approach of One Health Units (OHUs). Delivered through presentations, group discussions, experience sharing with community health workers and field visits to rangeland and nursery sites, the program focused on empowering CRHWs to become leaders in sustainable rangeland management.

Following the training, CRHWs began to raise awareness in their communities about the impacts of invasive species and the importance of rangeland health. Their outreach efforts included explaining invasive species’ environmental, human and livestock impacts, as well as management strategies. Awareness campaigns were conducted during OHU service delivery and at schools, utilizing materials such as posters displayed in kebele offices, schools and health posts. Stickers were also distributed, prominently displayed on mobile phones and motorcycles to enhance visibility.

Addressing a Critical Rangeland Management Gap

The training and deployment of CRHWs address a critical gap in Ethiopia’s One Health Unit (OHU) model, which integrates livestock, human and environmental health services at the community level. As part of the One Health for Animal, Human, Environment (OH 4 HEAL) Project, implemented by VSF Swiss, Amref Health Africa and ILRI, the project delivers integrated health services through the OHU model. This model combines livestock, human and environmental and rangeland health services at the community level.

While the OHU includes human health extension workers and community animal health workers, there has been a gap in addressing environmental and rangeland health. An assessment conducted prior to the CRHW training highlighted the potential benefits of filling this gap. The findings underscored the importance of enhancing the effectiveness of OHU services at the community level.

CRHWs bring a unique combination of local expertise and scientific knowledge, enabling them to address critical challenges such rangeland degradation and managing invasive species. Their work directly supports livelihoods in Ethiopia’s pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, strengthening the resilience and sustainability of these communities.

CRHWs are now spearheading initiatives that include:

- Raising awareness about the importance of rangeland health and strategies to prevent invasive species

- Implementing community-based monitoring systems to track changes, detect early signs of degradation, and respond to invasive species invasions

- Identifying and controlling invasive plants that pose threats to rangeland ecosystems

- Establishing nurseries to produce native plant seedlings for replanting degraded areas and generating income through seedling sales

To ensure long-term success, CRHWs require ongoing capacity building. By empowering these workers to apply and expand upon their training, this initiative has the potential to create lasting, positive impacts on rangeland ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities dependent on them. The continued development of CRHWs not only strengthens rangeland health but also serves as a model for scalable and sustainable environmental stewardship across Ethiopia and beyond.

The One Health for Animal, Human, Environment (OH 4 HEAL) Project is supported by the CGIAR Research Initiative on Livestock and Climate, focusing on the challenges that climate change poses to livestock production, supporting livestock-dependent communities without accelerating greenhouse gas emissions or degrading land, water, and biodiversity.

See https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/empowering-community-rangeland-health-workers-a-novel-path-to-sustainable-ecosystem-management-in-ethiopia/

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