admin | May 23, 2025
News Brief
In Ethiopia’s Konso highlands, farmer Kawadaya Oldisha relies on ancient terracing techniques to grow food on steep, erosion-prone land. But climate change is making farming harder, with erratic rains and prolonged droughts reducing yields. To cope, Mr. Oldisha and others are combining traditional dry-stone terraces with modern methods like intercropping, agroforestry, and drought-resistant crops. Experts warn that without local adaptation, livelihoods and the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape are at risk. Yet, for many like Mr. Oldisha, terracing remains both a heritage and a lifeline in the face of a changing climate.
As the first light of the morning sun breaks over the hills of Konso, Ethiopia, Kawadaya Oldisha begins his daily routine of inspecting his terraced fields. His family’s small plot, located on the steep slopes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Ethiopia, is where they grow millet, beans and various fruits.
For more than two decades, Mr. Oldisha has relied on dry-stone terracing, a 400-year-old agricultural technique passed down through generations. It’s what has allowed the people of Konso turn their rugged, erosion-prone land into fertile fields. He says, “It’s how we’ve survived. Our land is steep and rocky, but we’ve learned to make every inch count. Here, every piece of land is valuable.”
In recent years, climate change has made farming more challenging for Mr. Oldisha and other farmers in the region. Prolonged droughts have reduced crop yields, while extreme rainfall has washed away vital soil and nutrients, threatening both the land’s fertility and their livelihoods.
He says, “The land isn’t what it used to be. The rains are unpredictable — either too little or too much, coming too early or too late. Every year it becomes harder to grow enough food for my family.”
Last year, Mr. Oldisha lost half of his crops due to floods, and the year before, drought dried out the plants before they could even grow.
Yimer Mohammed Assen is a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn in Germany and lead author of a study on climate impacts in the region. He says that as climate change disrupts once-predictable weather patterns, small-scale farmers are facing a significant challenge in preserving their agricultural heritage. These challenges can lead to potential poverty for the community and degrade the Konso cultural landscape, his study warns.
He says, “Localized adaptation and mitigation approaches to the changing climate are needed to sustain both the land and the way of life that depends on it.”
For centuries, the people of Konso have adapted to their harsh environment using terracing and other traditional farming techniques. However, the changing climate has forced farmers to look for new ways to adapt. By combining ancient knowledge with innovative approaches, small-scale farmers in Konso are working to protect their livelihoods and keep the land productive.
Mr. Oldisha says, “Terracing isn’t new to us; it’s a tradition passed down from our ancestors, but now it feels like our only hope.”
Although Mr. Oldisha has long practiced terracing, he’s adapted the technique in response to the intensified challenges posed by climate change. His farm spans just 20 meters, divided into six carefully crafted terraces. He packs this space with maize, beans, sweet potatoes, and small trees like mango and avocado. He explains, “Terraces help keep the soil in place. They prevent erosion during heavy rains and retain moisture during dry spells.”
On this plot, he’s implemented several approaches at once. He’s adopting drought-resistant plants, agroforestry by planting trees, using soil bunds, and intercropping. These help provide food for his family and feed for his livestock, while also improving soil health and water retention. By diversifying the crops he grows, he ensures his farm stays productive even with the challenges of climate change.
Other farmers are also using these techniques more efficiently and effectively to complement the terracing tradition. They’re experimenting with improved crop varieties, such as sorghum and millet, that are resistant to drought and disease to achieve better yields, Kawadaya says.
Kussie Belay is the head of the agriculture office in Karat Zuria, the district that’s home to the UNESCO-listed Konso Cultural Landscape. He says, “More than 80% of the land in Konso has now been terraced, with more farmers adopting this practice to tackle the challenges of climate change. This shift is helping farmers increase their yields and secure a steady food supply.”
Terracing is labor-intensive, requiring constant effort to construct stone or soil barriers, repair damage, and clear debris, But for Mr. Oldisha and his fellow farmers, terracing is no longer optional; it’s a necessity.
This story is based on an article written by Solomon Yimer for Mongabay, titled “Ethiopian farmers blend tradition, innovation to sustain centuries-old agriculture.” To read the full story, go to: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/ethiopian-farmers-blend-tradition-innovation-to-sustain-centuries-old-agriculture-photos/
Photo: A woman at Mechelo Kebele in Konso, Ethiopia, harvests moringa leaves from trees on her small terraced farm. Moringa trees are vital for food security, offering essential nutrients during the dry season. Image by Solomon Yimer for Mongabay.