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The Soils of Ethiopia

Part of the book series: World Soils Book Series ((WSBS))

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Abstract

Ethiopia has a great ecological diversity, ranging from tropical to temperate climatic conditions. The altitude in the country ranges from −126 to 4620 masl, and there are 32 major agro-ecological zones. Agriculture is one of the most promising sectors but has been slowed down by periodic drought, overgrazing, deforestation, limited use of and access to external inputs, and high population density. About 35.7% of the total land mass is allocated to agricultural use. The existence of diverse environments resulted in 21 soil types. The country has several major rivers and lakes, and significant groundwater resources. There are also extensive mineral resources including precious metals, industrial minerals, construction materials, and agricultural input types. The national energy balance of Ethiopia has been predominated by two energy resources—hydropower and biomass use. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which is expected to generate about 15,720 GW hr per year will increase the electricity supply to the population and power export potential of the country. Indigenous soil classification in the country is as old as agriculture. Currently, the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) is widely practiced. Significant amounts of fertile topsoil are lost due to water erosion. Vast areas of the highlands are affected by soil acidity that is either strongly or moderately acidic and about 10% of the total land area is also affected by salinity and/or sodicity. The current rate of urbanization, industrialization, and the extent of agro-chemical use are raising soil pollution that can be a major concern in future soil issues. Agricultural development in the highlands is crucial both for ensuring the incomes of populations in these regions as well as the availability of food in food deficit regions. The development priority in these regions is to introduce improved technologies, soil and water conservation practices, and management of acid soils. Land is a common property of the Nations and shall not be subjected to sale or transfer to other means of exchange. Although comprehensive and integrated land use policy at federal or regional levels does not exist, various government ministries issued policies that directly or indirectly relate to or affect land use. Huge efforts and investments were made to prepare digital maps of soil fertility parameters from data collected through intensive soil sampling campaigns in cultivated and arable lands. Countrywide and regional land suitability evaluations are being conducted for the preparation of land use plans in various geographic regions.

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  1. School of Plant and Horticultural Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia

    Sheleme Beyene

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant and Horticultural Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia

    Sheleme Beyene

  2. Department of Natural Resource Management, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

    Alemayehu Regassa

  3. Department of Soil Science, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

    Bipin B. Mishra

  4. Department of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Mitiku Haile

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Beyene, S. (2023). Introduction. In: Beyene, S., Regassa, A., Mishra, B.B., Haile, M. (eds) The Soils of Ethiopia. World Soils Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17012-6_1

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