Enabling Policy and Institutional Environment for Scaling-Up Sustainable Land Management in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

An effective policy and institutional environment is crucial to speed-up the scaling-up of Sustainable Land Management (SLM). However, many limitations at institutional level currently hinder the spreading and effectiveness of SLM efforts. The central aim of this study was to analyse the policy and institutional environment that was relevant for the process of scaling-up SLM in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The qualitative data were generated through interviews with key informants and reviews of relevant policy documents. The results indicated that the limitations for institutions at the national, regional and local level related to policy formulation and implementation, institutional capacity and collaboration. The study concluded that changes at the policy and institutional level were urgently required to speed-up the scaling-up of SLM practices. Hence, the government of Ethiopia and other development actors should invest more in creating supportive policies, building the institutional capacity, and consolidating institutional collaboration and networking. These are crucial to tackle land degradation and improve food security in the country.